The milk teeth of the child: how to clean them and take care of them properly

Medically known by the name of deciduous dentition or primary dentition, those popularly referred to as milk teeth They consist of the first set of teeth that appear during childhood, developing during the embryonic period and then appearing in the mouth during childhood, becoming visible with tooth eruption. Then, once they fall, they are replaced by the permanent teeth, although in the absence of this they can be preserved and maintain their function for some years.

Approximately at 6 months of age, the baby's first teeth begin to appear. There are 20 teeth of milk in total, distributing 10 pieces in the upper and lower part of the mouth, in 4 quadrants with 5 pieces each. Each quadrant consists of a lateral incisor, a central incisor, a canine, a first molar and a second molar (that is, 8 molars, 4 canines and 8 incisors).

It is common for the lower incisors to be the first to come out, around 6 months of age, giving way to the upper incisors, the first molars, the canines and the second molars. However, it is not until two and a half or three years of age when children already have all the milk teeth.

Precisely from the first moments when the first milk teeth begin to emerge, the oral cleaning routine, who will have to carry out and supervise the parents until around 6 to 7 years of age. In fact, for the parents themselves it involves a learning process.

How to clean the milk teeth properly and properly

As many experts say, it is necessary to start cleaning the milk teeth since they appear. For example, if the baby has already appeared his first tooth can use special gloves or gauze with which to begin to clean easily, well until it is possible to switch to adapted child brushes (when the child already has virtually all teeth ).

It is common for parents to neglect the dental cleaning of their babies because they have few teeth, and because they believe that it is not really necessary until they are 2 or 3 years old. But nevertheless, it is important to start taking care of them and cleaning them from the first moment they leave. Moreover, many dentists advise the dental care of mothers from the first months of pregnancy, given that the different oral bacteria that the mother-to-be has can then be transmitted to the youngest, and then condition their future oral health.

When cleaning the child's teeth it is useful to follow the following steps:

  1. With the head supported, it is very important that the father who is going to clean his teeth clearly see the whole mouth, in order to check that he is doing it correctly.
  2. Put a small amount of toothpaste in the children's brush.
  3. Then start cleaning the teeth starting from the back to the front (that is, from the farthest). Each quadrant should occupy at least half a minute, so it is advisable to take breaks so that the child does not continue with his mouth open for so long and becomes nervous.
  4. The movement of the brush should be in small circles, or also horizontal, cleaning the upper and lower teeth always separately, and also inside, outside and even in the upper area of ​​the bite.
  5. To end, clean the tongue carefully.

The oral and dental cleaning of the child should become a shared task, especially so that the smallest is aware of its importance, and participate in it. That is why it is very useful and appropriate for the child to participate during hygiene, for example by letting him finish cleaning his tongue, and making some breaks to avoid getting bored or tired. This article is published for informational purposes only. It can not and should not replace the consultation with a Physician. We advise you to consult your Trusted Doctor.

Baby Health : How to Take Care of Baby Teeth (March 2024)