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Taking good care of your child's teeth is important because baby teeth help your child chew food and speak clearly. Baby teeth also hold space so permanent teeth can grow in straight. If you start your child off with good dental habits, he or she will find it easier to keep those good habits forever. Good dental hygiene habits should begin before your child's first tooth comes in. Remember, just because you cannot see the tooth doesn't mean that they are not there. Teeth actually begin to form in the second trimester of pregnancy. By practicing proper dental care immediately for your child, you will set up an appropriate dental regimen for his or her life into adulthood. How do I Begin Care for my Child's Teeth? Infants should be seen by your dentist after the first six months of age, and at least by the child's first birthday. By this time, the baby's first teeth, or primary teeth, are beginning to erupt and it is a critical time to spot any problems before they become big concerns. When teeth aren't visibly present, gently wipe your baby's gums with a soft, wet cloth after each feeding. After baby teeth appear, start cleaning them with a soft, child-sized toothbrush twice a day. Running a damp washcloth over your baby's gums following feedings can prevent buildup of damaging bacteria. Even babies can have problems with dental decay when parents do not practice good feeding habits at home. Putting your baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may be convenient in the short term, but it can harm the baby's teeth immensely. When the sugars from juice or milk remain on a baby's teeth for hours, they may eat away at the enamel, creating a condition known as bottle mouth, which is associated with pocketed, pitted or discolored front teeth. Parents and childcare providers should help young children develop set times for drinking during the day, as well, because drinking from a bottle throughout the day can be equally as damaging to young teeth. Primary and Permanent Teeth Every child grows 20 primary teeth, typically by the age of 3. These teeth are gradually replaced by the age of 12 or so with a full set of 28 permanent teeth, and later on, four molars, otherwise known as wisdom teeth. It is essential that a child's primary teeth are healthy, because their development sets the stage for permanent teeth. If primary teeth become diseased or do not grow in properly, chances are increased for permanent replacements to suffer the same fate. Poorly formed primary teeth that don't erupt properly could crowd out spaces reserved for other teeth. Space maintainers can sometimes be used to correct this condition if spotted early. It is vital to maintain proper dental hygiene for your child from the day he or she is born because it will set the groundwork for appropriate oral health. Visit your family dentist in Florence for more advice and for regular dental checkups. It is never too soon to protect your child's teeth.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Marc Marlette, a leading dentist in Northern, KY. Offering a wide array of services including bonding, cosmetic fillings, veneers, whitening and extractions this family and emergency dentist in Northern, KY is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of all ages. Dr. Marlette also offers a Japanese translator if necessary.
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