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Take Care of those Baby Teeth!
Baby or primary teeth are going to fall out in a few years, so why should we take special care of them? Dr. Dean Meier, a Board Certified Winnipeg Pediatric Dentist at Children's Dental Centre, says there are several important reasons. "Some primary teeth are in a child's mouth until they are 12 to 13 years old, so it is important to keep those teeth healthy. Primary teeth serve to hold the space for permanent teeth and to guide the proper eruption of the adult teeth. Keeping primary teeth in place and in healthy condition is also important to promote normal growth and development of the bite as the face grows".
By the age of three, all 20 baby teeth have usually erupted. Most children start to get teeth around six months, but it is not unusual for teeth to begin appearing as early as three months or as late as one year. As with all aspects of child development, there is a lot of variation among children.
Here is when you might see your child's teeth come in:
- Six months - first incisors (front teeth)
- Seven months - second incisors
- 12 months - first molars
- 18 months - canines (eye teeth)
- Two to three years - second molars
Dr. Meier, adds that "baby teeth are important in allowing good pronunciation and speech habits. They also help maintain good nutrition by permitting children to chew properly". A cavity in a primary tooth can become a serious problem if it is not looked after. An untreated cavity can result in pain and infection, and may also affect the underlying permanent tooth.
With gentle brushing twice a day and regular visits to your child's pediatric dentist, baby teeth will remain in great shape by the time the tooth fairy comes.
Children's Dental Centre is a pediatric dental practice that specializes in treating children. It is conveniently located at 240-1630 Ness Avenue in Madison Square, one block west of Polo Park. Their trained staff and practice environment is specifically tailored for infants, children, and teens. New patients are welcome and referrals are not necessary. Appointments may be made at 668-5437.
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