Little teeth, big smiles

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Crystal Jarvis
  • 509th Medical Operations Squadron
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  According to many dentists, deciduous (baby) teeth play a critical role in the development of a child's mouth. Unfortunately, not many individuals realize how important these teeth really are.

Baby teeth are just as crucial to the proper development of a child as adult teeth. Baby teeth begin forming during the sixth week of pregnancy, but do not become visible in the mouth until around six months of age. These teeth are important for several reasons. Without a fully functioning set of teeth, a child cannot chew food they needed to receive proper nutrients for growth. This can lead to malnutrition and several other issues.

Baby teeth are also needed to save space in the jaws for permanent teeth. This is a must for proper alignment of teeth. Without space maintenance, teeth can be severely crowded or spaced. A child's speech development can also be greatly affected by the early loss of teeth or space maintenance problems.

Quality of life is another reason to ensure the health of baby teeth. If a child has untreated decay, pain will eventually arise. Regardless of age, an individual's quality of life can be severely diminished when pain is involved.

Proper home care and sound oral hygiene habits help to ensure that a child's baby and permanent teeth are always healthy. A child's teeth should be brushed at least twice a day using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste if they are able to spit on their own. If they are not able to spit, use only water for brushing.

Flossing should begin at an early age. Dentists recommend beginning as soon as the first two teeth touch. While this may not be an easy habit to maintain at first, it gets easier as children get older. Regular dental visits should also be scheduled. The American Dental Association recommends children be seen by a dentist as soon as his or her first tooth erupts, but no later than the first birthday.

The health and maintenance of baby teeth is critical to the overall development of a child.