It’s easy to assume that, because your child’s baby teeth will just fall out, that they aren’t as important to take care of as their adult teeth. While it’s true that they will lose these teeth, they will have them for years, and there are a few important things to keep in mind about the health of their baby teeth.
Baby teeth are important to develop their bite
The position that your child’s baby teeth grow in sets the stage for the bite they will have when their adult teeth come in.
Baby enamel isn’t as strong
The enamel on baby teeth will help protect against cavities. Tooth enamel is actually the hardest substance in the human body, but it is still vulnerable. Often, the enamel on baby teeth isn’t as strong as when their adult teeth come in. Make sure to keep the enamel on your child’s teeth strong by encouraging them to drink plenty of water, limit sugary foods and drinks, and make sure they brush their teeth twice a day.
Baby teeth can be lost too early
Usually, baby teeth will begin to fall out around 6 years old, and continue until around age 12. If these teeth are lost early, they can cause overcrowding where their existing teeth will grow over that gap, causing bite issues later on, as there won’t be room for their teeth to grow in. If your child loses a tooth early, let your dentist know right away.
Diet is detrimental
Did you know that foods with a high content of fiber will naturally cleanse the teeth? Foods like apples are great for this. You should try to fill your child’s plates with a variety of fruits and vegetables, to keep their enamel strong and their smile healthy. Another thing that is great for the enamel on your child’s teeth, is to add foods higher in magnesium and calcium into their diet.
