6 Questions and 6 Answers About Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are often overlooked by parents with the thought, “They will eventually fall out, and new ones will grow in.” However, baby teeth play a crucial role in guiding the new teeth. That is, if baby teeth fall out too early or decay, it can lead to crooked permanent teeth and other dental issues. Dr. Arzu Tekkeli, a dentist at Anadolu Health Center, provides information about important considerations regarding baby teeth.

What is the Importance of Baby Teeth and How Should They Be Taken Care Of?

Baby teeth typically begin to emerge between 4 to 6 months after birth and are usually fully erupted by around 2.5 years of age. The functions of baby teeth in the mouth are as follows:

• Ensuring proper and balanced nutrition for the child
• Positively influencing the development of speech
• Protecting the permanent teeth that will come through and guiding their eruption
• Contributing to the development of the jaw and facial skeleton

Should Baby Teeth Be Cleaned with Carbonated Water and Gauze? When Should Dental Care Begin?

As soon as the first teeth begin to emerge, parents should clean the baby’s teeth with a clean towel, gauze, or muslin cloth after meals. Starting from 18-24 months, teeth should be brushed with a soft toothbrush under parental supervision. Toothpaste should be introduced at the age of 3.

What Should Parents Be Careful About Regarding Baby Teeth?

The primary responsibility for protecting and maintaining baby teeth falls on the parents.

• If a baby is fed from a bottle in the early months, ingredients like honey, sugar, or biscuits should never be added to the formula.
• If a pacifier is used, the same rules apply: the pacifier should never be dipped in sugary foods.
• Dental care should be monitored by parents until the child is around 7 years old.
• Children should be kept away from sugary foods and junk food as much as possible.

Cavities in Baby Teeth: Often Overlooked Because “New Teeth Will Come,” but Early Loss of Baby Teeth Can Lead to Misalignment, Right?

Baby teeth are often neglected by many parents with the belief that "they will fall out anyway, these teeth are temporary, and new ones will come in." However, this is a very wrong approach. It is crucial for baby teeth to remain healthy in the mouth until it is their time to fall out.

A decayed tooth can:

• Create a source of infection in the body
• Disrupt the structure of the permanent teeth coming in
• Affect aesthetics and indirectly harm the child's psychology
• If a baby tooth is lost prematurely and a spacer is not placed, the new tooth underneath may lose its guide and erupt in the wrong place. This can cause misalignment in the future, leading to the need for orthodontic treatment.

What Should Be Done If a Baby Tooth Comes Out Crooked?

A crooked baby tooth usually does not require any intervention. If the misalignment persists after all the baby teeth have fallen out and the permanent teeth have erupted, then it should be evaluated to see if orthodontic intervention is necessary.

Do Baby Teeth Affect the Eruption of New Teeth?

Baby teeth are the guides for the permanent teeth. Premature extraction or decay of a baby tooth prevents the proper eruption of the permanent tooth underneath, both in terms of health and positioning. This leads to more significant problems over time. Lastly, we should introduce our children to a dentist starting at 1 year of age and schedule regular check-ups.