How do you Take Care of Primary Teeth? | Dental Treatment Guide


Although primary teeth are only temporary, it is still vital that they are cared for and kept healthy. They are important in your child being able to eat and speak properly. In addition, primary teeth are also a key factor involved in ensuring that the permanent teeth grow in the correct positions. Therefore, you should be aware of how to look after your child's teeth until they fall out.

The Teething Years

When your baby is born, he/she will not have any visible teeth, however they have all formed. It is very important for you to care for your baby's gums to make sure that when the teeth do protrude through the gums, they are strong and healthy. This can be done by carefully wiping your baby's gums with a clean cloth.

The age at which many primary teeth start to penetrate through the gums is around 6 to 8 months old. It is at about the same age that your baby will be moving onto foods other than milk (formula or breast). To care for your baby's teeth, you should try and avoid foods that are full of sugar. Instead, try pureeing fruit and vegetables.

Brushing Primary Teeth

As soon as your baby's teeth start to erupt, you must ensure that you brush them every morning and night with toothpaste. This toothpaste should be specially formulated for use on young teeth; such products are commonly available in most supermarkets and drug stores. The toothbrush you use should also be one that is specially created for use on new teeth. These brushes usually have very soft bristles and are made so that they are easy to hold. This allows you to try and help them learn to brush their own teeth, as they get older.

Brushing your child's teeth is very important to rid their mouth of plaque and any left over bits of food. Not only this but the toothpaste contains fluoride, which is important for the health of the teeth as it helps strengthen the tooth enamel. However, if your child swallows the fluoride, it can cause tooth discolouration. For this reason, you should only use a very small amount of toothpaste and try and discourage them from swallowing the foam that is created during the brushing process.

It is possible to buy toothpaste for children, which have little or no fluoride in. This means that even if your child swallows the toothpaste, their teeth should not become discoloured. However, it will mean that the teeth will lack the benefits of the fluoride. If you are unsure of what type of toothpaste to choose for your child, you should consult your dentist.

Losing the Primary Teeth

The majority of children will still have primary teeth until around the age of 12; therefore their label of 'temporary' teeth is not too accurate. If the teeth are not looked after from the beginning, they can degrade and become painful until they eventually fall out. Not only this but unhealthy primary teeth can lead to unhealthy permanent teeth.

You may notice that when your child's permanent teeth begin to grow into position, they are a bit wonky. This is due to the fact that the teeth are bigger than those, which they are replacing. Generally speaking, the teeth should straighten out with time but if this does not occur, you may wish to consult your child's dentist.

Further Information about Childens Mouth & Teeth