Did you know that during the second trimester of pregnancy, your child’s teeth begin to form? The set of 20 pearly whites in the jaw remains fully grown, ready to come out at the appropriate time.
Everything is a milestone for both parents and children, from the first grin to the first crawl. And, of course, there’s the first tooth! As thrilling as it is to see your baby’s first milky tooth emerge from his jaw, it is also critical to begin proper dental care right away.
With so many things to worry about, it’s easy to overlook your child’s dental health. The idea that milk teeth, like permanent teeth, require meticulous care is a lesser-known fact. So, without further ado, let’s look at it more closely.
What Are Milk Teeth and Why Are They Important?
The milk teeth, also known as baby teeth, are the first set of teeth to emerge after roughly six months of age. They are white and smaller in size. When the youngster is about three years old, all of the baby teeth have fully erupted. Milk teeth begin to fall out at the age of 5 or 6, making room for permanent teeth.
Milk teeth are more important than you might think. Milk teeth influence the health of permanent teeth in addition to reserving room for the future permanent set. Cavities in the milk teeth may increase the incidence of tooth decay in adult teeth.
Milk teeth also give the face a shape and aid in the development of speaking in children. If the infant’s milk teeth are in good shape, they will assist the newborn in correctly chewing his or her food so that the body can absorb the nutrients. Many parents feel that because milk teeth are only present for a brief time and will eventually fall out, they don’t require much attention and care. What’s true is that milk teeth require special attention, and neglect can have far-reaching implications.
What If You Don’t Brush Your Child’s Milk Teeth Every Day?
Many children either start brushing their teeth late or do not brush frequently or with the proper technique. Milk teeth, for whatever reason, have a thinner enamel layer than adult teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities. Cavities between milk teeth expand more quickly and can reach adult teeth beneath them. Children who do not wash their teeth on a regular basis are at risk for cavities, are unable to chew their food properly, have poor breath, and may have difficulty pronouncing words.
How to Get Children to Brush Their Milk Teeth Daily
Brushing one’s teeth on a daily basis is a habit that children need to be encouraged to develop. Let’s have a look at some of the methods you may motivate your child to clean his teeth on a regular basis.
1. Bond With Your Child While Brushing
The finest example for children is their parents. Set a goal for yourself to clean your teeth twice a day, and your child will soon follow suit. Young children frequently imitate what they see in their environment.
2. Guide Him Through the Process
When cleaning your teeth, it’s critical to stick to a routine. You can teach your youngster how to brush his teeth in a sing-song manner while he watches you brush. You can educate him to brush his teeth from the front to the back, as well as the chewing area. Rinsing, flossing, and, of course, tongue hygiene are all important.
3. Opt for a Fun Way
Your child will not be interested in brushing his teeth in a circular manner, left and right, if you simply order him to do so. Instead, you can construct a teeth-brushing song out of any of his favourite songs. You can play that music while brushing your teeth and dance with your youngster. Purchasing dental items for him, such as Colgate Kids toothbrushes and toothpaste, that will best care for his milk teeth while also captivating your child with the flavours.
4. Use Storytime
You can use storytime to teach your child about the need of brushing his or her teeth on a daily basis, as well as the repercussions of not brushing routinely and properly. Including his favourite character in the storey will also aid in his persuasion.
5. Rewards
In the case of children, incentives work nicely. You can give your child a special treat when he starts brushing his teeth on his own or when he doesn’t need to be reminded to clean his teeth. However, don’t make rewards the sole motivation for your child to wash his teeth.
How to Choose Right Oral Care Products?
With so many dental products available, picking the correct one for your child is crucial.
For children aged 3-5, the best toothpaste is one that is formulated for milk teeth. Colgate Kids 3-5 Years Toothpaste, for example, protects milk from cavities and has a 50 percent less abrasive formula to gently clean teeth.
Colgate Kids Toothbrush 3-5 Yrs, for example, has extra soft bristles and a smaller head that can easily reach the nooks and crannies of your child’s mouth without harming his gums. Look for brightly coloured toothbrushes with animal and cartoon figure patterns. The character prints will be enough to motivate him to brush his teeth every day.
Important Tips for Your Child’s Dental Hygiene
When thinking about dental hygiene for your child, it’s helpful to be aware of the following facts:
- For kids, brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes is essential.
- Brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should begin when a child is three years old.
- Make sure your youngster understands how to brush properly, or brush them personally until he or she can. You will benefit from our expert’s presentation on how to brush your child’s teeth properly.
- Keep an eye on how much sugar your child consumes. Chocolates, gummy candies, juices, and other sugary meals and sweets can dissolve enamel quickly. So, when your child consumes sweet foods, rinsing or brushing his or her mouth will be beneficial.
We recognise that parenting is not an easy task. The health and destiny of a child are dependent on his or her parents’ awareness of appropriate behaviour. And, when it comes to oral hygiene, it’s best to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to long-term dental issues.
If you wish to know more about Colgate Kids Oral Care Range, view them here.
FAQ
What happens if u dont brush baby teeth?
Inadequate brushing, according to Dr. Giuliano, can allow bacteria to grow in the body, causing inflammation and sickness not only in the mouth, but throughout the child’s entire body.
What happens if I dont brush my 1 year old’s teeth?
For a day or two, not getting your teeth cleaned may not have serious consequences. Bad breath, tartar, and plaque accumulation are all issues that are prone to arise. Food particles get stuck in between teeth and on the teeth’s surface. These particles are broken down in the mouth by bacteria.
Do you brush baby’s teeth before or after milk?
Brush your child’s teeth at least 30 minutes after the last food or drink. The British Society for the Prevention of Diseases (BSPD) recommends a ‘golden hour’ after the age of one, when children have nothing to eat or drink except water and teeth are brushed immediately before they go to bed.
Is it neglect to not brush my child’s teeth?
Inadequate dental care on the part of parents might be interpreted as dental neglect, which is an indicator of child neglect. As a result, health care providers who work with children are in a unique position to detect early signs of child abuse and neglect.
