THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BABY TEETH Baby teeth are referred to as Primary teeth or deciduous teeth. Primary teeth start erupting when your baby is 6 months old till the age of 3 years There are 20 primary teeth present. Fun Fact:- Babies are born with their teeth, they just are present below the gum line and start appearing by 6 months Primary teeth are smaller in size. They normally space out so those permanent teeth have proper space to erupt. Primary teeth have a thinner protective layer / Enamel layer, so they are more susceptible to cavities ARE BABY TEETH REALLY IMPORTANT?? Even though baby teeth fall off, they do play a vital role in a child's future dental health Firstly, primary teeth help your baby in chewing, smile, and even speak properly. They hold space for permanent teeth which are growing below the gums. When baby teeth have cavities and if it leads to infection there is a high chance that permanent teeth get damaged even before they erupt. That is why it is important to take care of primary teeth If primary teeth fall off before their actual fall-out age, then there are high v\chances that permanent teeth might erupt in a crooked manner. SIGNS OF TEETHING Drooling Irritability Swelling or redness in the gums Facial rash Mild Temperature Tendency to try and bite on things Increased thumb Sucking Ear rubbing If the baby has a difficult time during teething, there are things you can do to ease them. Give them something firm like a rubber ring or cold wet cloth that is chilled in the refrigerator this helps in soothing the swollen gums. HOW TO TAKE CARE OF BABY TEETH Always wipe baby teeth with a wet cloth or cotton after having every meal Avoid giving sticky food and unhealthy drinks like juices and soda. Avoid feeding milk before bedtime. Even if the child has milk, remember to wipe the teeth clean. Avoid using sipping cups or pacifiers for a longer period of time. If your child uses pacifiers don't dip them in any sugary syrup or milk. wipe it clean after every use. Start using a brush with pea-sized toothpaste from the time teeth starts appearing in the oral cavity. Even gum massaging will help to delay cavity formation FIRST DENTAL VISIT Preferably, schedule your first dental visit 6 months after teeth appear in the oral cavity A regular dental visit will also help the child in getting used to the dentist's office. Schedule an appointment if you see any white spots on your teeth. FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE, VISIT OR CALL US DENTAPEX DENTAL CLINIC MUTHANALLURU CROSS, SARJAPUR ROAD, BANGALORE. 8369169473