Baby Teeth and Children Dentistry: Everything You Need to Know

As a parent, you want the best for your child's health, including their oral health. One of the most important aspects of children's dentistry is taking care of their baby teeth. Baby teeth play a crucial role in your child's dental development, and it's essential to understand how to maintain them properly.

What are Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth, also known as primary teeth or deciduous teeth, are the first set of teeth that grow in a child's mouth. They typically start appearing when a child is around six months old and continue until they are about three years old. Most children will have all 20 baby teeth by the time they are two and a half years old.

Why are Baby Teeth Important?

Although baby teeth eventually fall out, they play an important role in your child's oral health. Here are some reasons why:

• Baby teeth help your child chew food properly, promoting good digestion and nutrition.
• Baby teeth guide permanent teeth into place as they grow underneath them.
• Baby teeth help your child learn to speak correctly by allowing them to form sounds properly.
• Baby teeth provide a foundation for healthy permanent teeth later on in life.

How to Care for Your Child's Baby Teeth

Caring for your child's baby teeth is essential for maintaining good oral health. Here are some tips:

• Start cleaning your baby's mouth even before their first tooth appears by wiping their gums with a soft cloth or gauze after feedings.
• Once your child has their first tooth, brush it twice daily with fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Avoid giving your child sugary drinks or foods that can cause cavities.
• Schedule regular dental checkups with a pediatric dentist starting at age one or when the first tooth appears.

The Role of Pediatric Dentists

Pediatric dentists specialize in caring for children's oral health from infancy through adolescence. They receive additional training beyond dental school to address the unique needs of children, such as managing anxiety and behavior during dental visits. Pediatric dentists can also identify potential issues early on and provide preventive treatments to avoid more extensive procedures later on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I take my child to the dentist?

You should take your child to the dentist around age one or when their first tooth appears, whichever comes first. Regular checkups every six months can help prevent cavities and other dental problems from developing.

What if my child is afraid of going to the dentist?

Pediatric dentists are trained to manage anxiety and behavior during dental visits. They may use techniques such as distraction or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to help calm nervous children. It's essential to establish positive associations with dental visits early on so that children feel comfortable seeking care throughout their lives.

What if my child has a cavity in a baby tooth?

Cavities in baby teeth need treatment just like cavities in permanent teeth do. If left untreated, they can lead to pain, infection, and even damage permanent adult teeth growing underneath them. A pediatric dentist can recommend treatment options such as fillings or crowns depending on the severity of the cavity.

In Conclusion

Taking care of your child's baby teeth is crucial for promoting good oral health both now and later in life. By following these tips and scheduling regular checkups with a pediatric dentist, you can ensure that your child develops healthy habits that will last a lifetime!

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5 reviews of BabyTeeth Children's Dentistry "My son had a cavity that was so large I thought he broke his tooth in two. When I saw it I freaked out and ... 2.6 miles away from BabyTeeth Children's Dentistry Tara H. said"I'm so happy with my new dentist, Dr. Ho! She's got such a warm and comforting demeanor and gentle touch. Going to the dentist may not always be pleasant, but she and her staff are great at putting you at ease and being quick and…"read more in General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentists, Cosmetic Dentists 2.3 miles away from BabyTeeth Children's Dentistry Stacy W. said"Let me start by saying I'm a germaphobe and an ICU nurse, any doctor's worst nightmare. I'm picky with my doctors. VERY PICKY. I'm also picky with their offices. VERY PICKY. I'm also very anxious and dramatic and am very scared of…"read more in Pediatric Dentists, Orthodontists 1.2 miles away from BabyTeeth Children's Dentistry Chelsee D. said"Received an exam and cleaning and let me tell you, Dr.Ochoco is the best! He is so personable and made the experience awesome. The office is so welcoming and well put together. Definitely going to be a long term patient here and…"read more in Cosmetic Dentists, General Dentistry Your trust is our top concern, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more. Start your review of BabyTeeth Children's Dentistry. This will be a super long review, but I want to be sure parents who may be feeling desperate, like I was during my search will find comfort in knowing there is a safe place to go. Rewinding to last summer, I noticed a small spot on my then 3.5 year olds molar, her dentist we were seeing at the time said it was due to deep pits, and not a cavity, then this summer same thing happened to the opposite side lower molar, so the dentist she was seeing, said it was "sticky" on this side, and would probably need to be filled, but also said she thinks it was from her enamel never developing properly, so I was a wreck thinking somewhere along the line I must have messed up somehow. Anyways, the old dentist office couldn't get a view of her side teeth cause she wouldn't let them get the needed things into her mouth cause she has a small mouth so It caused her to feel uncomfortable. The old office wanted us to come back over a month from then at the next available appt and do an oral sedation drug to get an x-ray on her, and said if they couldn't get it then they would need to do IV sedation simply to get an xray and if needed to do the dental work then. My husband and I were opposed to her being put to sleep for this, and basically were only left with the option of putting her to sleep for it or to watch and wait and chance that it gets worse and needs to be pulled! I was desperate and searched for dentists with a more holistic approach, and came across Baby Teeth Children's dentistry. The first contact on the phone I was already impressed, their phone lines were acting up and one of the office staff was kind enough to call me from her cell so I could speak to them right away and schedule our appt, they were very easy to get an app.t with. They sent us a link to an awesome E-book to read with the girls so they would be familiar with the Dr.,and the office, this was a blessing for sure! Upon arrival, we loved the environment, its super clean, organized, child friendly, and not overly stimulating like some children dental offices are. The Dr. came out to the waiting area to greet us and our girls himself which is pretty unheard of in most practices and any medical office we have ever been to. When we went inside, the Dr. used the info off the forms I filled out to make small chat with the kids, about liking dogs, liking Frozen, etc. This helped and even though my oldest is super shy, he tried to make her feel comfortable. My youngest struck up a convo with him really well and he was very courteous and attentive to both of them. We did the x-rays on the older one and the Dr. sits down and explains everything to you that he sees, and gives advice, on preventative things etc so you can avoid any dental problems. As far as the youngest one, they attempted the X-rays and found her little narrow mouth just simply cant accommodate having the x-rays, so instead we were able to use a special "flashlight" as he told the girls which is a laser that can detect cavities and tell him the depth of it, so you can determine to watch and wait or treat. Hers were at a level that do need treatment, and they have us coming in next week which I was so impressed that they could get us back in so soon!! The entire time we were there, we were the only patients there, and never felt rushed or like we had to compete for anyone's attention .I am pretty paranoid about chemicals, etc in things involving my kids and when I went to ask the Dr about what's in the fillings, he knew before I even finished asking the questions, where I was going with it and explained it all in simple language, and comforted my fears.  I could not be happier with our experience and would recommend this office to anyone who may feel scared as they seek out a good trusted option for their child's dental care. Its scary raising little ones especially when you feel like theres conflicted info coming every which way, so I am thankful for a safe place where we can ask all the questions we have. Thank you for an amazing experience, my girls have been playing dentist since we got home today, and cant stop talking about all of you there! :)