Why are my child’s teeth breaking?
Baby teeth have an important role: they allow the development of permanent teeth and are essential for eating and speaking. Just like adult teeth, they are vulnerable to accidents and the results of bad hygiene. For these reasons, they should not be neglected, and it is advisable to adopt good habits very early on and to seek immediate care if they are damaged, broken, or traumatized in any way. Cavities and trauma are the main ways that your child may lose a tooth. Also at play are genetics and environment, so there are many multifaceted reasons for broken teeth.
The importance of baby teeth
Although they have a limited lifespan (between 6 and 13 years depending on the teeth) and they are replaced by permanent teeth, baby teeth are essential for the development of the child.
Baby teeth:
- define the face of the toddler;
- guide the permanent teeth to grow into the correct position
- are essential for eating and eating well: they allow you to crunch and chew
- allow the introduction of speech without articulation disorders
Baby teeth: fragile teeth
The outer surface of the enamel of baby teeth (the hard, thin and white substance that covers the tooth) is thinner than that of permanent teeth. Milk teeth are therefore more vulnerable to cavities. Cavities are caused by bacteria and develop easily if the teeth are in contact with sweet liquids like fruit juice or milk. Tooth decay occurring in the first years of life can affect the health of the child. Indeed, it can cause pain and also prevent them from sleeping well, eating well or speaking well if the tooth is destroyed. Finally, children who have dental cavities very young are more likely to have others on the permanent teeth during their childhood, and even in adulthood.
Some tips to avoid cavities in baby teeth
The best way to avoid tooth damage and loss due to cavities is to maintain proper hygiene of your child’s teeth from the moment they erupt from the gums. Keep their toothbrush clean and use only toothpaste recommended for the age that your child is. The toothpaste used must contain a dose of fluoride appropriate for the age of the child. Indeed, the youngest tend to swallow toothpaste since they do not know how to spit it out and your child can get sick if they swallow too much fluoride. These habits will go a long way in preventing problems with both baby and permanent teeth later.
Take your child to the dentist early
It is recommended that you take your child to the dentist as soon as teeth start to erupt, or around 6 months to a year old. This makes it possible to identify children with fragile baby teeth very early on, and thus to put in place appropriate preventive measures. During this first visit, the dentist will give you advice on keeping your child’s teeth healthy and can establish a relationship of trust with your child.