A primary tooth or baby tooth usually remains in the child's mouth until a permanent tooth underneath it is ready to emerge through the gums. They save space for the for the child's future permanent teeth (adult teeth) and guide the adult teeth into their proper position. These first teeth play an important role in how children learn to chow, speak and smile. They are also very important to a child's physical, emotional, and social development.
Tooth brushing can begin as soon as baby's first tooth pokes through the gums. Use a clean, damp washcloth, a gauze pad, or a finger brush to gently wipe clean the first teeth and the front of the tongue, after meals and at bedtime. A children dentist can help you to take care of your infant’s teeth since the moment they erupted.
Infection in baby teeth can pass and affect permanent teeth. Tooth decay on the top front teeth of an infant or small child is called Early Childhood Caries. This decay may look like white spots, dark pits, holes or broken teeth and may be painful making it hard for your child to eat.
Regular oral care routines establish life-long benefits for both babies and permanent teeth. habits. Visit a pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach early in the child’s growing years can help avoid unnecessary decay and dental treatment later. The truth is that baby teeth DO matter!
Babies began to suck on their fingers or thumbs even before they are born. This type of sucking is completely normal for babies and young children. It is comforting for children, and they usually do it when they are bored, tired, worried or feeling stressed.
Thumb sucking is one of the most common forms of several sucking habits that affect the shape of the mouth and alignment of the teeth.
Chronic thumb or finger sucking can have a host of serious health and developmental consequences. Dental harm: prolonged sucking can cause the teeth to protrude, requiring expensive dental work to correct. Bullying: bullies often target kids who suck their thumbs or fingers. This can be very traumatizing or stressful for them. Frequent illness: unwashed thumbs and fingers bring bacteria and viruses into the mouth, which can lead to illness.
It is important to stop the thumb sucking habit before permanent teeth begin to come in. Most children stop sucking habits on their own between two- and four-years age, but some children need help of their parents and their pediatric dentist in West Palm Beach. When your child is old enough to understand the possible results of a sucking habit, your pediatric dentist near me can encourage your child to stop, as well as talk about what happens to the teeth if your child does not stop. This advice, couple with the support from parents, helps most children quit. If this approach does not work, your children dentist may recommend an appliance that blocks sucking habits. This device can help stop thumb sucking within a few days.
Regular check-up every six months will help your kid’s pediatric dentist carefully watch the way your child’s teeth come in and jaws develop, keeping the sucking habits in mind at all times.
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