If you think baby teeth aren’t that important, guess again. Yes, they will “just fall out” someday, but the health of these pearly whites can pave the way for the type of smile they will have once permanent, adult teeth arrive. With so many misconceptions about the importance of these primary teeth, a dentist in Covington looks to explain why it’s best to start your child’s dental hygiene habits early and what you can do at home to help them along the way.
If Baby Teeth Fall Out, Why Take Care of Them?
This is the unfortunate mindset that many people have regarding their children’s teeth. Often waiting until years after their initial teeth have erupted to see a family dentist, tooth decay and cavities are often present, resulting in necessary dental work to prevent worsening problems.
While baby teeth are only temporary, they set the stage for adult teeth when it’s time for them to erupt. If plagued with severe decay, damage, multiple cavities, or even gum disease, this can make it more difficult for permanent teeth. Depending on the problems that exist within your child’s smile, it may even cause these new teeth to erupt at an awkward angle.
How to Keep Your Child’s Smile Healthy as They Grow
The first thing you can do as a parent is to schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings for your little one. Technically, by the time they are a year old or by the time the first tooth erupts, they should see a family dentist. This will ensure your child establishes a relationship with the dental team and becomes more and more used to the sights and sounds of a dentist’s office. Over time, with frequent, six-month visits, they will become accustomed to hopping in the dentist’s chair and letting the professionals check and clean their teeth.
By removing harmful plaque and tartar buildup from around their teeth and gum line, your child’s smile will be less likely to experience gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss if not treated in a timely manner.
As your child continues to grow and develop, these regular visits will be beneficial to monitoring their progress and if any bite issues are developing. This will then signal the possibility of needing orthodontic treatment.
But apart from the in-house treatment your child will receive twice a year, it is important you help them develop good oral hygiene habits at home. By making sure they brush their teeth twice a day with the right amount of fluoride toothpaste and checking to see that they are flossing their teeth and rinsing their mouth, you will feel more confident knowing that their baby teeth will be in ideal condition until the time comes for the tooth fairy to take them away.
Remember, you and your child’s dentist are a team, so don’t be afraid to rely on the professionals who can provide you with tips and suggestions to make oral hygiene fun and exciting for your little one.
About the Author
Dr. James Moreau graduated from the LSU School of Dentistry in 1980. Developing MoreSMILES as a preventative and advanced restorative practice, he helps patients with varying dental needs. Providing regular dental checkups and cleanings and offering valuable patient education, he and his team are equipped to give patients of all ages the information they need to maintain healthy smiles all year round. Believing even the youngest smiles deserve the highest level of quality dental care, Dr. Moreau will help you take care of your child’s teeth at home, so they can be on the right path to better oral health as they grow and develop. To learn more about how we can help you and your child get excited about oral hygiene, contact us at (985) 809-7645.