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A perfect smile starts with baby teeth
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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A perfect smile starts in early childhood, and baby teeth need to be taken care of. This way, children will develop the right attitude towards oral hygiene.
It is common to treat baby teeth without due respect. They will fall out anyway, and others will grow in their place. But if baby teeth fall out too early due to caries, then permanent teeth appear at the wrong time. The risk of various defects increases, for the correction of which you will have to wear braces later.
Since baby teeth have thinner enamel, they are subject to decay faster than permanent teeth. According to statistics from British authorities, 40% of residents of Foggy Albion under the age of five already have various signs of caries, and 12% needed at least one filling.
Babies' first teeth usually appear between the ages of six and nine months, but it's not unusual for them to come in a few months earlier or later. Experienced Birmingham dentist Dr Janet Clarke recommends that parents start brushing their babies' teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. A tiny amount of baby toothpaste on your finger will do the trick. There's no need for a toothbrush at this stage.
"The most important thing is to get kids used to the idea of brushing their teeth, to form that habit early and for life," says Dr. Clark. "As more teeth come in, you can move on to soft-bristled baby toothbrushes. Remember to choose toothpastes that are age-appropriate for your child. They contain the right amount of fluoride. So for children under three, you need a toothpaste with 1,000 parts per million of fluoride ion. Anything less will not be effective in fighting cavities."