Your Baby`s Primary Teeth - So Much Joy, So Much Discomfort

Added: 01/24/2006

Infant teething that results in primary teeth and their further development are considered to be a rather complicated physiological and psychological processes. It's a very difficult and stressful period for infants as well as for their parents. And it's not enough for parents to be extremely attentive and patient while treating their children. From the very first days of a baby's life there must be a specialist who will take care of his or her dental health.

Primary teeth are very essential for a child's health. First of all, they are necessary for adequate chewing of food and, correspondingly, for proper food digestion. The development of sound pronunciation and speech is also in strict dependence on primary teeth. Healthy teeth are of great importance for a baby's emotional state. And finally, it's very useful to know that permanent teeth are very much influenced by baby's temporary teeth; pain and infection can be caused by decayed temporary teeth.

Oral hygiene should be established at a very early age. Specialists recommend cleaning a baby's mouth during the first days after birth. Baby's gums should be carefully wiped with a gauze pad after feeding in order to remove plaque. Your baby has to get used to feeling his/her mouth clean and healthy. Parents should be very alert regarding to this matter.

Although parents play a very important part in baby's healthy teeth they don't have the skills that dentist has. A baby is such a vulnerable creature that it must be treated in a very careful way, it must be constantly observed by specialists and professionals. It is recommended fort a child to have his/her first visit to the dentist by the first birthday. A dentist will check a baby's mouth and teeth for decay and many other problems. He can explain how you should clean your baby's teeth daily. The earlier one's child begins visiting a dentist the more problems the latter can help to prevent. Baby's mouth requires a very careful treatment. Especially while infant teething and first decay of child's primary teeth.

An infant's first teeth (primary teeth) usually begin to erupt between 6 months and 12 months. The whole amount of primary teeth (20) comes in by about 3 years of age. Infant teething generally begins between the ages of 4 months and 21/2 years. This period is characterized by baby's having sore and very tender and sensitive gums. It's quite an unpleasant period for your baby. So, be patient! To soothe the pain you can gently rub the baby's gums with a clean finger or damp gauze, or you can buy a teething ring for the baby to chew. If your baby has an elevated temperature you'd better call your physician.

Another problem for parents and doctors to face with is caries in early childhood. It can be described as tooth decay in the primary teeth of infants. It is also called baby bottle tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when bacteria in the mouth are combined with sugars. This combination produces acids which destroy the enamel of the teeth. Usually it occurs because of frequent use of a bottle containing sweetened milk or juice at bedtime.

And finally some tips for treating baby's primary teeth:

- Clean the infant's mouth with a damp cloth or gauze.
- When teeth appear, brush them with soft toothbrush daily.
- Baby's mouth should be carefully checked regularly.
- No sweetened liquid at bedtime.
- Soothers are not to be dipped in sugar or honey.

Should you notice a color change or white spots on your baby's teeth have them checked by your dentist.

And remember to visit your dentist regularly even if everything seems to be all right.

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