PRIMARY TEETH

 Definition : Primary teeth are very important as they hold space for the permanent teeth.They are also essential for                                            chewing/biting and speech development,besides giving shape to your child's face.

                     Primary teeth are 20 in number.The first tooth will erupt in the oral cavity at about 6 months and the complete set                        of primary teeth will be seen by around 3 years of age.

                    Your child will lose his/her first primary tooth around the age of 6,followed by the eruption of the first permanent                                tooth.Child will usually lose his/her last primary tooth around the age of 12.

                    The time during which both primary and permanent teeth are in the oral cavity together is called the period of 

                   "MIXED DENTITION "

Purpose of primary teeth :

                    1 .  Helps to chew food properly.

                    2 .   Assist in proper speech.

                    3 .  Builds self-esteem by providing a beautiful smile.

                    4 .  Serve as a path for permanent teeth to erupt in a correction position.

What happens when a primary tooth is not taken care ?

                     1 .  When a primary tooth is not taken care of,it can lead to Dental caries and infections.

                     2 .  Many children below 3 years of age suffer from "Early childhood caries " or " Rampant caries " .

                     3 .  It may be due to frequent consumption of sugary substances,lack of oral hygiene routines,a prolonged feeding                                habit,or low salivary flow.

                    4 .  If dental caries persists for long,it leads to its early loss.

                    5 .  If a primary tooth is lost too early,the adjacent permanent teeth can drift into this edentulous space,causing                                   difficulty for the eruption of the underlying permanent tooth.

                    6 .  This may lead to developmental  " MALOCCLUSION " in a child . 

                    7 .  The space created by the loss of a primary tooth should be protected with a " space maintainer "

  Common habits that cause Malocclusion in children : 

                 1 .  Thumb-sucking that goes on beyond 4 years of age 

                 2 .  Tongue thrusting

                 3 .  Lip biting

                 4 .  Mouth breathing

                 5 .  Cheek biting

          Bad oral habits can b controlled using a Habit breaking appliances.Early diagnosis will help correct these habits and                       consequent malocclusion.

How to care for primary teeth ? 

                1 .  Good oral habits must be developed in children at a young age.

                2 .  Parents  must educate their children to maintain good oral hygiene by helping them brush their teeth twice a day.

                3 .  They should be taught to rinse their mouth after eating and may be discouraged from taking sugary and sticky                                foods.

Guidelines for parents :                

               1.  Clean the infant's gums with a damp washcloth after meals and before bed prior to tooth eruption;do not use                                toothpaste when performing oral healthcare before teeth have erupted.

               2 .  After tooth eruption,clean the child's teeth with washcloth and progress to child size soft bristled toothbrush.

               3 .  Start using toothpaste after tooth eruption (approx 18 to 24 months of age ),usually a pea-size amount of fluoride                        toothpaste is recommended.

               4 .  Till a child can brush the teeth on his/her own,the guidance of parents is very important.

               5 .   After 6 years of age,a child may be allowed to clean the teeth by himself/herself.

 Conclusion :               

                    Making your child's first dental visit as soon as his first tooth erupts in the oral cavity and following the prophylactic                     measures provided by the dentist is the simplest way to protect  the primary and permanent dentition of your                               child.

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