The eruption of milk teeth starts from the 6th month. A total of 20 milk teeth erupt, 10 on the lower and upper jaws, and are completed by the age of 3. Milk teeth remain intact until approximately the age of 6-7. After the age of 7, changes begin to occur in the molars and incisors. During this period, the duty of parents is to protect the permanent teeth that are erupting. The first molars are generally confused with milk teeth and their care can be neglected, but care should be taken in this regard. Milk teeth  To protect it, regular oral care habits should be acquired and then a fissure sealant procedure should be performed by a dentist.   Fissure sealant application is an effective and preventive method against the formation of cavities.   It is a protective substance used to close the cracks that occur on the surfaces of the molars and that the toothbrush has difficulty reaching. It is a painless and easy application.    

There is generally a misconception in society about milk teeth. This idea is that baby teeth are temporary and their care is not very important. This is a very wrong idea. Baby teeth are very important in children. They contribute to the development of the jaw and facial skeleton. Chewing, the structure of the teeth and the jaw skeleton are a whole and this whole must be protected completely. Therefore, protecting baby teeth is very important for the health of permanent teeth.  

There are some habits that damage the health of baby teeth. The most important of these is the habit of sucking a bottle before going to sleep. Although milk is a necessary and healthy food for babies, care should be taken regarding tooth decay. Teeth should definitely be cleaned after breastfeeding or bottle feeding. "Bottle decay", called "baby bottle decay", occurs in children who sleep with a bottle. In order to avoid such situations, the teeth should definitely be cleaned after breastfeeding.   Milk teeth should be taken care of from the moment they start to appear in the mouth. When they reach the age of 2-3, brushing exercises can be done with baby brushes. Teeth can be brushed in front of a mirror without putting toothpaste on the brush. In this way, the baby learns how to brush its teeth. 

What Precautions Should Mothers and Fathers Take Regarding Baby Teeth?

•  The most important and striking issue about baby teeth is that they need to be cleaned very well. The  hygiene habits will positively affect dental health throughout life. 

• A child who is 3 years old should have a total of 20 baby teeth, including the lower and upper jaw.

•  An abnormal gap between the baby teeth in the horizontal and vertical directions should not be present.

•  Decays that occur in milk teeth must be treated.

• ÇWhen your child reaches the age of 2-3,  By doing tooth brushing exercises with baby brushes, both oral hygiene is provided and the baby learns how to brush their teeth.  

• You should take your child to a pedodontist from the moment their baby teeth start to erupt. In this way, your child will get used to the dentist without fear, and necessary dental protective applications can be made.  

Baby teeth are very important teeth for babies. The more these teeth are protected, the healthier and more hygienic the permanent teeth will be. Providing your child with oral and dental hygiene at an early age will lead to healthy and beautiful smiles in their future lives.  

This article is written hir Oral and Dental Polyclinic Minepol for the purpose of informing patients.