The first teeth of your child's first teeth are always an event! Teeth mean care. Our advice for caring for your baby's first quenottes, with the help of Dr Vianney-Descroix, a dental surgeon from the Pitié-Salpêtrière dentistry department.
Of course, baby's baby teeth will fall out one day. But they play an important role in chewing, speaking and balancing the jaws. All these are reasons to keep a close eye on them.
How do baby's baby teeth grow?
The first teeth grow whenever they like and always appear in approximately the same order. Although it can happen, exceptionally, that a baby is born with a quenotte, but as a general rule, the first tooth does not appear until between 3 months and 1 year of age, with an average first eruption at the age of 6 months. In any case, whether they arrive early or later, the appearance of teeth has nothing to do with a child's growth. The order in which the baby teeth come out seems almost "programmed". Apart from a few little rascals who are determined to be clever by putting a first incisor on the upper gum, the teeth are broken through in this way:
- - First the incisors (front teeth). The first two teeth come out in the middle of the lower gum. Then come the four incisors of the upper gum, followed by the two lower lateral incisors.
- - After a short pause, the first molars make their holes at around 1 year of age, leaving a free space between them and the incisors for the canines, which settle in around the middle of the second year.
- - Finally, during the third year, the last molars appear at the back of the mouth. Often the most discreet in the world.
Between 2 and a half and 3 years old, children therefore bite an apple (or an unfortunate friend!) with twenty temporary teeth (ten per jaw).
Can milk teeth get damaged?
Of course they can. In fact, by the age of 6, two out of three children already have at least one tooth decay. Milk teeth, like other teeth, have roots and nerves, they are alive and susceptible to infection. In fact, the bacteria that live in the mouth feed on food (especially sugars) and turn them into acid. This acid will attack the enamel, and then deeper into the dentin (the inside of the tooth that surrounds the nerves and blood vessels), causing cavities. This infection can then contaminate the germ(s) of the underlying teeth, even causing abscesses. It is therefore important to treat any damaged baby teeth immediately. And as a preventive measure, avoid sugar. For example, make sure you don't get a baby used to falling asleep with a bottle of milk or sugar water.
Should we worry if one of them changes color?
After a shock, the whole tooth may turn blue-violet. Then, either it regains its color and everything is back to normal, or it turns grey, which means it is losing its vitality. Sometimes it will have to be removed. Some children may have small black dots in arcs on all their teeth. This is only an aesthetic defect, due to a peculiarity of their microbial flora, which usually disappears spontaneously during adolescence. This is nothing to worry about, as their mouth is healthy and free of cavities.
What can be done to prevent cavities on baby's first teeth?
Taking care of your baby's first teeth also means following good dietary hygiene rules. Don't let your baby drink sweetened drinks continuously during the day and even less so at night. "Don't let a baby fall asleep with a bottle of orange juice or Coca-Cola". Your child is at risk of getting cavities on his milk teeth. Also avoid giving your child chips or bananas in the evening as these are very sticky foods. "Ideally, give your child cheese or dairy products at the end of the evening meal rather than fruit, as these contain sugars that are aggressive to the teeth while the bacteria in cheese have a cario-protective effect" advises Dr Vianney-Descroix.
What are the bad eating habits to avoid?
All those that encourage prolonged and repeated contact between the tooth and the sugars contained in foods such as sweets, certain drinks, fruit, but also bread (starch) or milk. For example, dentists still see too many young children with multiple cavities. Some parents claim heredity or lack of calcium (extremely rare in our country). But for dentists, the cause is quite different: many children with decayed teeth have been babies who have been breastfed on demand, throughout the day and night, or have taken up the habit of sucking a bottle to fall asleep. Later, snacking was the main cause of cavities.
What steps should be taken for good dental hygiene of baby's first teeth?
As soon as a tooth is erupted, it needs to be cleaned, but you don't need a toothbrush for another year! For the toddler, take a compress, moisten it and gently rub all the sides of the baby tooth or teeth, ideally after each meal. "It is important to do this at least once a day to remove plaque deposits" says Dr Vianney-Descroix. As soon as a baby is able to open his mouth and leave it open for a few moments, you can start using a baby toothbrush with a short head and soft bristles. "Before the age of 3, do not use toothpaste because children before this age can swallow a lot of toothpaste and in addition there are too high doses of fluoride for them in it" informs Dr Vianney-Descroix. " .
Brush the sides of all teeth well with the moistened toothbrush after each meal. So that your child cooperates, don't hesitate to brush your teeth before brushing his, to let him spit at the end of the brushing... ". The ideal is to get the child used to dental hygiene, making it a game and not a constraint" advises Dr. Vianney-Descroix. Around 2 years old, he will surely want to start brushing his teeth on his own! Then teach him the brushing gestures by standing behind him and guiding his hand.
How do you teach him how to brush his teeth properly?
In addition to a healthy and balanced diet, dental hygiene is the best prevention. Children should be taught to brush their teeth after every meal and, above all, before going to bed from the age of 8 or 9 months: when the first incisors have appeared, you can clean them with a compress soaked in water, twice a day (morning and evening). From 12 months onwards: the compress can be replaced with a suitable baby toothbrush on which half a lens (no more!) of toothpaste is placed. Around the age of 2 years: your child can start brushing his teeth on his own, provided you help him, and this at least until he starts primary school. But don't ask him to respect the "from red to white" rule, as he doesn't yet have sufficient dexterity. Instead, teach him to make rotating movements, i.e. to draw circles on his teeth, like electric toothbrushes do.
What is the purpose of the fluoride prescribed for babies?
This mineral salt helps to strengthen the enamel of the teeth, so that they are better able to defend themselves against acid attacks from food. A single source of fluoride is sufficient because, in excess, it causes stains on the tooth enamel (fluorosis). This is why, when a child takes a daily fluoride supplement (in the form of drops), it is important to choose low-fluoride mineral water when preparing bottles or not to use fluoridated salt in food preparation. Similarly, fluoride supplementation should be discontinued as soon as the child starts brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
Why worry about baby teeth when they are about to fall out?
Milk teeth prepare the ground for permanent teeth by keeping them in place. This is why, if a very damaged milk tooth has to be extracted prematurely, the dentist will have to place a "space maintainer". This simple appliance, made from orthodontic braces, will prevent adjacent teeth from coming closer together, and those in the adjacent jaws from moving down to fill in the unoccupied space. This way, the permanent tooth will have enough room to come out, and your child may be able to avoid wearing braces later.
