Your child’s baby teeth are important to his or her development. These teeth help them chew, speak, and smile. The primary teeth also hold the place for the permanent teeth to grow in properly. The health of the baby teeth is important because when one is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the vacant space. This can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked or crowded.
There are 20 baby teeth, which begin to grow in when a baby is between six months and one year old. Most children have all of their baby teeth by age three. When your child’s teeth begin to grow in, their gums may become sore. Teething toys are very useful at this time of discomfort. You can also soothe your child by rubbing their gums with a clean finger, a cool spoon, or a wet gauze pad.
Before their teeth come in, clean your baby’s gums with a soft, moistened washcloth or a piece of gauze at least twice a day. Make sure to wipe your baby’s gums after they eat and before bedtime. When your baby’s teeth begin go grow in, begin using a toothbrush with soft bristles, a small head, and a large handle. As soon as the teeth erupt, use a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, to clean his or her teeth. Increase the toothpaste amount to about the size of a pea when he or she is about three years old. Brush your child’s teeth until he or she is old enough to brush their teeth themselves. Supervise your child’s oral hygiene until he or she can rinse and spit without help.
We welcome you to contact our office today for more information about primary teeth in Bakersfield, California. Schedule your child’s first visit with our dentist, Dr. James C. Ma, when he or she is about a year old. We look forward to seeing you and your family!