Transcript Why Baby Teeth Are Important

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Why Baby Teeth Are Important
 Right now, your child has 20 baby teeth.
 By about 18 years old, your child will lose
their baby teeth to make room for 32 adult teeth.
 It is important to know that for 6-12 years
baby and permanent teeth share the same space
and germs (mixed dentition).
 Their adult teeth will be permanent. They will
not get another set. So, please help them take
very good care of their teeth during childhood.2
Did you know each
tooth has different parts?
Let’s take a closer look!
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 The crown is the white part of a tooth
you see when you look into someone’s
mouth.
 Enamel is the hard covering on a
tooth. It protects a tooth during
chewing.
 The dentin is a yellow
substance that surrounds
the pulp. It is harder than
bone and makes up most
of the tooth.
 The gum is the soft, pink
tissue that surrounds and
protects the root of a tooth.
 The pulp is the
innermost layer of a tooth.
It contains nerves that feel
pain, and blood vessels
that carry food to the
tooth.
 The root holds
the tooth in the
jaw.
 The cementum is about as hard as bone. It surrounds
the dentin in the root of the tooth. The cementum and
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enamel usually meet where the root and crown join.
 We should brush our teeth after every meal. But, sometimes
that’s difficult. So, we all should brush at least twice a day. (i.e.
after breakfast, before sleeping)
 Brushing helps remove plaque from the teeth which is a sticky
coating on the tooth caused by bacteria and food particles. If left
on your teeth, it can lead to cavities.
 To prevent bad breath, make sure to brush your tongue too!
 If your child hasn’t begun to teethe, wipe your baby’s gums
and teeth with a clean, soft cloth after feeding.
 Do not let your child run or play while brushing. A toothbrush
is not a toy and this is the most common reason for oral injuries.
(Source: Cindy Hallett)
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Tips for Proper Brushing
 Use a ½ pea-sized amount of toothpaste
on a small brush with soft bristles.
 Using gentle strokes, make the brush
move in small circles over the outside of
each tooth.
 Remember to do the back of each tooth.
 Now, brush the lumpy surface of the
teeth. Be sure to remove any food that may
be stuck in the grooves.
 The recommended brushing time is 2
minutes. Parents, you can use a 2 minute
song or timer to help your child keep time
while brushing or help by brushing with
them. Tooth brushing time IS family time!
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Flossing
 Flossing helps to remove food
and plaque from between teeth areas that your brush cannot
reach.
 Parents should help children
floss at least once a day.
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When Should Your Child
Visit The Dentist?
 Your child should visit the
dentist as soon as his/her
first tooth appears, but no
later than their first
birthday. A dentist is a
person who helps us take
care of our teeth.
 Visit the dentist at least
two times a year for routine
check-ups following the first
visit.
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Eating Healthy
 Eating “tooth friendly” foods can
also help keep your teeth in great
shape!
 Milk and foods made from milk
make your teeth strong. They are
rich in calcium.
 When food is eaten, the mouth
becomes more acidic. Teeth are very
sensitive to acid and eating cheese
helps maintain a pH level in the
mouth that is safe for teeth, leading
to better cavity prevention.
 Fruits and vegetables are also
healthy for your teeth.
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 Cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth are unable to
digest Xylitol, so their growth is greatly reduced.
 After using Xylitol, the bacteria do not stick well on
the surface of the teeth and as a result, the amount of
plaque decreases.
 Xylitol also helps repair damage to the enamel.
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Foods That Are NOT
“Tooth Friendly”
 Some foods are not “tooth friendly”. These
foods contain a lot of sugar and acid.
 Sugary foods cause plaque to build up on
your teeth. This plaque can lead to cavities.
 When you eat or drink anything that
contains sugar or starch, bacteria (Streptocausus mutans) turns them into acids that
can attack tooth enamel. (i.e. milk)
 You should avoid providing foods that
have a lot of sugar and foods that stick to
your teeth. (i.e. raisins, fruit snacks,
licorice)
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In addition to the tooth care tips you just learned, here are
a few more things you can do to care for your teeth!
 Fluoride - Using a toothpaste with
fluoride or fluoride varnish helps keep
the outside of teeth strong.
 Fluoride is a very important
ingredient in most toothpastes and
some water supplies that help prevent
cavities by strengthening and
protecting the tooth enamel from acid
caused by sugary foods.
 Studies show that people who ingest
fluoride or have fluoride treatments
have lower rates of dental decay.
(Source: Cindy Hallett)
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 Put only formula, milk or breast milk in bottles for
mealtimes. Avoid filling bottles with liquids such as
sugar water, juice or soft drinks. Provide water for
drinking between meals.
 Infants should finish their bedtime or naptime
bottles before going to bed.
 If your child uses a pacifier DO NOT dip it in sugar,
honey, or put it in your mouth (passes germs) before
giving it to your child.
 Encourage your children to drink from a cup by their
first birthday and discourage frequent or prolonged
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use of a sippy cup.
Tooth Decay
If we do not properly care for our teeth, we may get
cavities. Cavities are holes in teeth caused by plaque
eating bacteria (S. mutans). Cavities may or may not be
painful.
To fix a cavity, your dentist will remove the bad
part of the tooth and fill the hole with a filling. Filling
materials vary in treatment benefits, color and cost; talk
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to your dentist for more information.
Summary
Since our children only get one set of permanent teeth,
please be prepared to help them take good care of them!
That means helping them to…
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Brush at least twice a day.
Floss at least once a day.
Visit the dentist at least two times a year.
Eat “tooth friendly” foods.
If you follow the tips above, you’ll surely help to keep all
of your children’s teeth healthy and bright!
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