An exciting part about parenting is when your children start to grow teeth. Teeth allow them to eat more solid foods and add an extra amount of cuteness to their grin. However, just because baby teeth eventually fall out doesn’t mean that you don’t have to worry about them. Knowing how baby teeth are constructed and how they work will help you keep them healthier.
The Difference Between Baby and Adult Teeth
The biggest difference between baby and adult teeth is that baby teeth are meant to fall out during adolescence. Even the best oral hygiene will not keep baby teeth from falling out. Adult teeth, on the other hand, are much more permanent. Good oral hygiene helps to keep adult teeth from falling out prematurely. Another difference is that baby teeth have thinner enamel than adult teeth. Enamel protects the teeth, so it is especially important to keep the enamel on baby teeth intact.
When They Start Losing Them
Children start losing their teeth when they are around six years old and have all adult teeth when they are young teenagers. Premature loss of baby teeth may be a sign of orthodontic issues. If your child starts losing teeth before they are supposed to, you should consult immediately with your dentist. They will let you know what you can do now to fix the issue and how to prevent further orthodontic issues.
Proper Care for Baby Teeth
Baby teeth need to be cared for just as much as adult teeth. Teach your children to properly brush and care for their teeth so that they build good oral hygiene habits. If they learn how to care for their baby teeth well, they will also care for their adult teeth well. Regular brushing and flossing helps to clear out plaque and food particles. A child’s toothbrush should be replaced every three to four months. This prevents any large buildups of unhealthy bacteria on the brush. This in turn allows for more effective and healthier cleaning because the toothbrush can do its job better.
Properly caring for your children’s teeth will help them grow healthy and strong. You can help prevent a lot of oral pain and irritation by teaching and implementing good oral hygiene. With healthy baby teeth, your children can lose them at the right time and grow strong adult teeth in their place.
Check out this article on what you should know if your child has crooked teeth!