The importance of baby teeth cannot be understated. Not only are they necessary for your child to chew and speak at an early age, but baby teeth also serve the purpose of creating space for adult teeth to come in. Poor oral health early on can lead to lifelong complications.

Children’s teeth should be cleaned twice per day as soon as they erupt because as soon as teeth appear, decay can occur. Begin cleaning your baby’s mouth by wiping the gums with a clean, moist washcloth. For children younger than 3 years, start brushing their teeth with toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice. For children 3 to 6 years of age, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Once cavities are present, the damage isn’t usually isolated to just a single tooth. Since decay is caused by living bacteria, cavities can spread and attack neighboring teeth. Although cavities can cause a tremendous amount of physical pain, they also bring a lot of emotional distress to children. Cavities are dark brownish in appearance, and some kids become self-conscious about the way it looks causing them to smile less. Eating and drinking could also be more difficult due to tooth sensitivity. If left untreated, the bacteria grow and multiply, migrating not only from tooth to tooth, but also below the gums which can cause infection of the underlying adult tooth that is still in the development period. This infection is called an abscess and is very painful for the child. Even if the underlying adult tooth survives, it may be malformed, discolored, or permanently stained. Tooth decay in children can lead to health concerns long after their baby teeth are gone.