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As parents, it’s your job to make sure that your baby is happy and healthy. And we’re sure that you take this job very seriously. Parents are always making sure that their child is eating right, playing safely and staying clean. But what about their teeth? Your baby’s teeth start to form from the second trimester of pregnancy. Their set of 20 milky white teeth are fully developed in the jaw and start to pop out a couple of months after they are born (1). And although you can’t stop yourself from oohing and aahing when their first tooth finally makes an entrance, parents often forget that now it’s time to worry about their infant’s dental hygiene as well. Most parents take it easy because they think that the milk teeth aren’t as important as permanent teeth, but this is wrong. Your baby’s milk teeth need to be cared for just as diligently. And that’s why you’ve got to brush their teeth every day. Read on to know more about what happens if you fail to do so.
What Are Milk Teeth And Why Are They Important?
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Milk teeth, or baby teeth as they are usually called are the first set of primary teeth that start to come out once your baby reaches six months of age (2). They are small in size and a pearly white color. And by the time your toddler is 3, all 20 of them have come up to the surface. However, by the time your child is around 5 to 6 years old, these milk teeth will start to fall out in order to make way for permanent teeth. Many parents don’t tend to their little one’s milk teeth well as they fall out but these baby teeth are more significant than one might think. Milk teeth have several different functions. Not only do they reserve space for the permanent teeth that will form in the future, they can also influence the health of the permanent teeth. This means that the existence of cavities in milk teeth could potentially lead to an increased risk of tooth decay in adults and teens (3).
Milk teeth also help your child develop their ability to speak and form words properly. And if these teeth are healthy, then your baby will be able to chew food properly so that their body can absorb the nutrients that it needs with ease. So, you see, milk teeth have a huge role to play in the overall development and future health of your child. Which is why they must be cared for because the failure to do so can lead to many complications and adverse consequences.
What Happens When You Don’t Brush Milk Teeth Every Day?
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Children often neglect their teeth altogether or don’t employ the right technique while brushing their teeth while they are young. And this can be detrimental as milk teeth have a thinner enamel cover than permanent teeth, which makes them more susceptible to cavities (4). And the cavities between milk teeth can spread faster as well, to the point of reaching the adult teeth forming beneath them. Not to mention that your child will have to deal with tooth pain regularly, will struggle to chew their food properly, have bad breath and may even find it harder to pronounce some words and sounds due to lack of dental care (5).
How To Get Your Kids To Brush Their Teeth Regularly?
1. Bond With Your Kid While Brushing
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You can bond with your little one by making this one activity that you both do together at the beginning and end of everyday. This way you can set a good example for your kids by brushing your teeth twice a day and they will follow suit.
2. Opt For The Fun Way
Brushing your teeth doesn’t have to be a dull affair. Most kids want to run through this process because they are bored. So make it a little more fun and interesting by playing their favorite jams and dancing together while they brush their teeth. You can also get some toothpaste that’s colorful and caters to kids so that they want to use it more often.
3. Go Through The Process With Them
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Your kids have no idea how to brush their teeth properly, so it’s up to you to teach them. You can do so in a sing-song way. Teach them to cover the front, back and the top chewing areas. And guide them through gurgling, flossing and tongue hygiene.
Taking care of your baby’s baby teeth is important and will do wonders for their health and future teeth. So stick to a good routine and make sure your kid’s teeth get a daily scrub.
