Baby teeth accompany children during a crucial stage of growth, and even though they are destined to fall out, they play an important role in oral health. Thinking of them as simply "temporary" teeth is a mistake: caring for them from an early age prevents cavities, inflammation, and problems that can also affect permanent teeth.
The first teeth generally begin to appear around six months of age, although timing may vary from child to child. Gradually, all 20 baby teeth appear, helping the child chew, speak correctly, and maintain the necessary space for the permanent teeth. For this reason, it's important to begin oral hygiene as soon as the first tooth appears and make it a regular daily habit.
Diet also contributes to oral health. Frequent consumption of sugars and sugary drinks can promote the development of tooth decay, especially when exposed multiple times a day. Proper oral hygiene, along with a balanced diet and regular checkups, therefore represents the basis of prevention.
But how does baby teeth fall out?
The process generally begins around age six and continues gradually until preadolescence. The tooth becomes loose because its root is gradually resorbed by the permanent tooth growing beneath it. The tooth thus loses stability until it falls out, making room for the new tooth.
It's a natural growth transition, often experienced by children with great curiosity and excitement. Even during so-called mixed dentition, when both baby and permanent teeth are present in the mouth, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene and frequent checkups. This allows you to monitor the development of the teeth and intervene promptly in the event of any problems.
To learn more about the prevention and care of baby teeth, we asked Dr. Alessia Polverino, pediatric dentist at the Smile Dental Center on Via Regina Margherita 95 in Naples, a few questions.
Dr. Polverino, why is it so important to take care of baby teeth even if they're destined to fall out?
Baby teeth are essential for a child's growth. They're not just for chewing, but also contribute to speech development and maintain the necessary space for permanent teeth. A cavity in a baby tooth should therefore not be ignored: it can cause pain and infection and, in some cases, compromise the proper development of the dentition. Prevention allows us to avoid many of these problems and guide our children towards a healthy mouth.
When is the right time to start caring for children's oral hygiene?
"It should start as soon as the first tooth appears. Oral hygiene must become a daily habit, and especially in the early years, it's crucial for parents to help their child with brushing. Regular checkups are also important, as early visits not only allow us to identify any problems but also help the child become accustomed to the dental environment in a calm and positive way."
What advice do you have for parents when a baby tooth starts to move?
"Experience this moment naturally, explaining to your child that it's a normal growth phase. Don't force the tooth to fall out, but let the process happen naturally. However, if pain, swelling, or significant bleeding occurs, or if the permanent tooth's loss and growth don't follow a regular pattern, it's always advisable to consult a pediatric dentist. The most important thing is to continue taking care of your child's mouth during this phase, because the health of permanent teeth begins with the good habits developed during childhood."
Luciano Carotenuto
