Even if the deciduous teeth remain in the dentition for only a few years before being replaced by the permanent teeth, the care of the deciduous teeth in children should not be neglected. Because diseased and destroyed baby teeth can lead to a disturbed function of the masticatory system as well as permanent teeth.
Importance of caring for the deciduous teeth
Unfortunately, many parents still think that the care of the deciduous teeth can be neglected, since they only remain in the dentition for a few years anyway,before they are replaced by the permanent teeth. Diseased and destroyed baby teeth can also lead to impaired function of the chewing system as well as permanent teeth. In children, however, the consequence is much more serious. Since they are still growing, it can disrupt the overall development of the child and cause irreversible damage to the chewing behavior and the chewing system.
The deciduous teeth are not only responsible for the masticatory system, but also serve as a placeholder for the permanent teeth in the child's jaw. They thus have a decisive influence on the development of the jaw and the following correct position of the permanent teeth. Only healthy teeth are healthy placeholders!
If the deciduous teeth suffer from caries, more bacteria also accumulate in the oral cavity, which is a great danger for freshly eroding permanent teeth - which are then also quickly attacked with tooth decay.
When should one start with the dental care in children?
With the first baby teeth breaking through, you should get used to your child's dental care. From about the sixth month of life, teeth should be brushed at least once a day! Use a soft toothbrush and a maximum of pea-sized amount of fluoridated children's toothpaste.
Especially for small children, there are baby toothbrushes, which can also be used as a teething ring and are adapted to small baby hands. With them babies and toddlers can playfully brush their teeth and practice. They get used to brushing their teeth so quickly and can thus prevent the development of tooth decay or other dental problems. Compared to normal toothbrushes, these baby toothbrushes are only marginally more expensive.
Should I use a special toothpaste for children?
In general, toothpaste for adults is not suitable for children because they have too high a fluoride content. For this reason, children up to the age of 6 should only use special children's tooth creams, which are characterized by a lower fluoride content, mild taste and fine cleansers. But make sure that you do not buy toothpastes with a fruity or sweet taste, because toothpastes should only stimulate brushing and not to tempt you to snack!
After the first baby teeth have erupted, you should brush the teeth regularly in the morning after breakfast and in the evening before going to sleep. Especially in the evening, a perfect cleanliness of the teeth is important - brush again if necessary.
Always use-appropriate toothbrushes for brushing, so as not to damage teeth and gums. Do not let yourself and especially your child be misled by brightly colored toothbrushes that are not intended for the age of your child.
How to best brush your children's teeth?
An easy-to-learn yet effective brushing technique for children is the KAI toothbrush method. The abbreviation COI results from the initial letters of the tooth surfaces and the order in which they are to be cleaned:
- chewing surfaces,
- outer surfaces,
- inner surfaces.
First, the chewing surfaces are cleaned with horizontal back and forth movements. Parents should be careful to clean both the lower and upper rows of teeth.
Then follow the outer surfaces of the teeth. The incisors are on top of each other and with the toothbrush paint large circles on the outer surfaces. You start at the back of one side and guide the toothbrush over the entire arch of teeth to the last tooth on the opposite side.
Lastly, the inner surfaces remain for cleaning. Here, the rule "from red to white", applies, it is cleaned with small movements of the gums to the tooth crown, both the molars and the incisors.
