Baby Tooth Care

Babies typically develop their first teeth around six months of age, often to the great chagrin of the parents who must frequently sooth their child's gum pain during this period. As the baby teeth erupt through the soft tissue they can cause a great deal of discomfort, but this is a perfectly normal part of the maturing process.

These teeth, often called the "milk teeth" or "primary teeth", need the same kind of care as permanent teeth in adults. It is important to encourage proper oral hygiene at this early age, for the habits learned now will provide your child with a life of healthy gums and strong teeth. One word of caution however is that children and babies should not use fluoridated toothpaste, as many youngsters are apt to swallow the good tasting toothpaste. This can cause serious health problems if taken in sufficient quantities.

Take care of your baby's teeth and teach your younger children the importance of proper oral hygiene. Even though they will eventually lose their baby teeth, you want them to have their adult teeth as long as they can. A little bit of encouragement and a lot of patience will give them the healthy habits that can last a lifetime.