West Green Family Dental

21350 FM 529 Suite 400 Cypress, Texas 77433

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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Can baby teeth get cavities

People are often mistaken when it comes to the issues regarding baby teeth. These teeth are supposed to be cavity and decay-free. However, this is not the reality. Baby teeth are more sensitive than permanent teeth which is why they need to be dealt with utmost care. Parents need to know that their child will have his first tooth at the age of 6 months, followed by the complete set by the age of 12, whereas these teeth will start falling by age 6.

Now the question arises that if these baby teeth last for such a short span, why do they need intensive care? Well, to support the question, you need to consider the fact that these baby teeth are the base for the health of permanent teeth. They are the ones who will create proper spacing for permanent teeth.

Are baby teeth prone to cavities?
Yes, baby teeth are equally prone to decay and cavities. This is so, because of their habit of sleeping with the milk bottle in their mouth. Many such moments lead to the accumulation of bacterias and then the formation of Plague. This Plague causes harmful bacterias to produce the acid that weakens the enamel. When the outer covering gets damaged, the teeth lose their guards and thus become the battleground for the harmful bacterias. The symptoms of the cavities in baby teeth are listed below:

  • Mild or intense toothache which makes the child cry for long hours.
  • Brown or black patches in the teeth.
  • Visible holes and pits.
  • Inconvenience or pain in chewing food.
  • Feeling of pain and anxiety in the cheeks.

Causes of decay in baby teeth
Though there is much discomfort when the teeth of your baby start decaying, there are some signs that will let you know of that pain and inconvenience. No doubt, all the grief will end up in long hours of crying and craving for love and care. Have a look at the prominent causes:

  • Plaque buildup: Too much accumulation of bacteria is the prime cause of decay and cavities in the teeth. Now though there are many reasons for this accumulation, you can take care of this by regular dental checkup.
  • Poor and unhealthy diet: Lots of candies, sugary drinks, and sticky food to the babies can cause their teeth to become vulnerable to the cavities.
  • Absence of Fluoride: Though in many places, the tap water has natural Fluoride in it, you can still ask your community water management team about the content of Fluoride in the water to be sure of the presence of minerals for healthy teeth.
  • Improper dental hygiene: Brushing and flossing, is the necessary step to maintaining proper dental health; hence it should be followed with sincerity. Parents need to teach this habit to their kids from the beginning. Otherwise, the baby teeth will gradually be eaten up by the bacterias.

Now to have timely treatment, you need to have an early diagnosis of the cavity and decay. Thus the parents at the first stage of tooth eruption need to be careful and keenly supervise the hygienic dental practices of their kids. Besides, they must take the child for the regular dental checkup to be on the safe side.

Book Appointment to find out which treatment might be best for you.