Baby teeth start to come through at around six months and are complete by about the age of three. Some of these teeth stay in the mouth until the age of 12. Because they will fall out, they may seem unimportant, but they have several important roles in a child's development.
The roles of baby teeth
- Chewing and nutrition. Decayed or painful teeth can make a child avoid certain foods and not eat well enough.
- Speech. The front teeth play a part in pronouncing some sounds correctly.
- Holding space for permanent teeth. A baby tooth keeps the place of the permanent tooth coming through underneath. If it is lost early, neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap and the permanent tooth may not find room to come through.
Decay in baby teeth
The enamel of baby teeth is thinner than that of permanent teeth, so decay can progress more quickly. Untreated decay can lead to pain, an abscess and effects on the permanent tooth underneath.
Giving milk or sugary drinks in a bottle at night, frequent snacking and irregular brushing are common causes of decay in baby teeth.
What can be done at home?
- Brush the teeth twice a day from the moment the first tooth appears.
- Use a smear the size of a grain of rice of fluoride toothpaste under the age of three, and a pea-sized amount between three and six.
- An adult helps with brushing until the child can brush well on their own.
- Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes.
The first dental examination
The first dental examination is recommended after the first tooth appears and around the age of one. At this visit the development of the teeth is assessed and parents are given advice on oral care. The check-up interval is set by the dentist according to the child's oral health.