6 reasons your child's baby teeth are more important than you think

Parents of young children often forget to take care of baby teeth. They are so busy with the baby, they don't realize that baby's first set of teeth can affect their child's future dental health and how much it will cost them in the long run! It is crucial for parents to focus on taking care of baby teeth as soon as possible. 

I'm often asked, "are baby teeth really that important?" 

This question might seem like a simple one to answer and many people will say "No." But the truth is baby teeth have an impact on children's development in life and should not be taken for granted. 

Children need healthy baby teeth so their long-term oral health can develop well too. Here are six reasons why your child's baby teeth should matter more than you think!

What Role Do Baby Teeth Play?

Baby teeth play a key role in your baby's development. They help children learn how to speak and even eat properly! That is why it is important for parents to take care of baby teeth as soon as possible, so that the baby can reap all the benefits they offer.

Unbeknownst to most parents baby teeth are not just a painful foundational event in their child's life.  They are actually more important than you think.

Baby teeth are essential for your baby to be able to chew and break food down into small pieces so that they can swallow properly. They also help children learn how to speak in the process of chewing, especially when it comes time for baby's first words! 

Do baby teeth affect the health of permanent teeth?

Absolutely! In fact as dentists we can quite accurately predict a child's dental health and outlook in adulthood by looking at their baby teeth.  Having teeth that a baby can chew with is important because they are forming these shapes and patterns that will carry on into adulthood.

Having healthy baby teeth means a child's long-term dental health is much more likely to be healthy if their baby teeth aren't decaying or don't have any other issues. 

Alignment and position of adult teeth...

...are all determined by baby teeth - it's the baby teeth that lay down foundations for what will happen in adulthood.

Consider this: your child may have a good number of baby teeth missing even before they get their adult set! This is because baby life changes so quickly, and children are continually shedding baby teeth to make room for new ones as they grow. 

Poor oral health as a baby affects more than just how healthy someone looks; it can also affect a person's quality of life and sense of well-being. 

Proper health and nutrition

I often see parents complaining about a child being a "bad eater" or a "fussy eater". The truth is that these issues are often caused by baby teeth that are impacted and misshapen or baby teeth with decay, as well as digestive issues from not being able to chew properly. 

Between the ages of about six months to three years, a baby's first set of teeth will start coming in - this is a time when parents can influence their children's oral health. But if there is poor diet and no brushing because there aren't any baby teeth yet for chewing food, then these early foundations may be weaker than necessary. 

Bad eating habits during those times may also have an impact on long term dental care options such as extractions and braces - all of which make parents anxious and stressed because they result in pain for the child and and added expense for the parent. 

In later life, impacted tooth enamel could also lead to high blood pressure and kidney problems.

Baby teeth affect speech development

If baby teeth are missing or malformed, then a child's articulation could be impaired because they cannot pronounce certain sounds correctly during speech therapy.

Unfortunately, parents of children with speech difficulties rarely pay enough attention to their child's dental health as a contributing factor. 

But studies have shown that baby teeth affect speech development and children who have baby teeth that are missing or malformed can suffer from difficulties in articulating certain sounds.

Concentration and self-esteem

Have you ever seen an adult hide their smile by putting their hand in front of their face? Children are no different. They are also conscious of their shape of their teeth, maybe even more so than adults.

Baby teeth affect children at different stages in their development than adults because kids tend to be more conscious about how their teeth look; this may lead to emotional insecurity as well as social anxiety issues. 

This also isn't just a question of looks or aesthetics. Crooked baby teeth may cause jaw pain that could persist for life, resulting in debilitating headaches and migraines, locked jaws, stiff necks and even back pain. 

It's not hard to imagine that a child who is constantly trying to hide a crooked smile will not brimming with self-esteem and as a result their concentration at school or other extra-curricular activities may also suffer. 

Baby teeth affect the development of facial bones and muscles

Because they have a big impact on the baby's tongue, palate, jaw and even breathing.

The good news is that the younger a child is when their malformed baby teeth are removed or filled with dental sealant, the more likely it will be that all of these systems start to develop normally.

Crooked baby teeth can cause long term physical problems like pain in muscles and joints which might result in many of the ailments I've described above. 

What happens when baby tooth decay becomes an issue?

In many cases, the baby tooth may need to be removed in order for permanent teeth to grow in properly, which isn't always easy! 

Sometimes children under the age of five also need surgery due to tooth decay too since it often affects multiple areas of their mouth at once. 

We do our best here at Heidelberg Dentist so parents know what's happening with their kids' mouths as well as how to look after them at home.

How should I look after my child's baby teeth?

There are a few simple steps that parents can take to ensure baby teeth stay healthy, such as:

• Ensuring your child brushes their baby teeth twice daily.
• Checking for signs of tooth decay and treating it quickly if there is any concern. 
• Never dipping baby pacifiers in sugar or honey since this increases the risk of tooth decay. 

We also recommend seeing our dentist at Heidelberg Dentist regularly so we can monitor progress and catch anything before it starts! 

We want you to be confident that your baby's mouth will remain strong and bright throughout life – contact us today with any questions or concerns about caring for your child's baby teeth.

Children's Dentistry Options

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Straighten kids teeth without braces

Have you started worrying about your childs crooked teeth?  Did you know that crooked teeth could  indicate underlying serious health problems?  Your childs crooked teeth could lead to misaligned jaws which could lead to an array of serious health problems into adulthood.

Most parents ensure that their childrens dental habits are looked into.  Even more is that most forward thinking parents actually make sure their childs teeth and jaws are growing properly which can lead to a balanced jaw growth.  

 Crooked teeth can lead to confident issues in children and nowadays we don’t wait till the children have reached in their teens to do something about it. We have techniques and technology for as early as the age of 3 where we can help children develop better jaws, teeth and a healthier smile. 

The (BIG) side benefits are that if you take these steps now, you can potentially save yourself thousands of dollars down the line and help your child get the best possible facial growth and smile.

Have you been told…

…that you should just wait until all your child’s permanent teeth have come through and THEN put braces on. However, often by this stage there has been irreversible damage that can lead to expensive surgery and the painful need to remove teeth that could have been saved.

If the cause of the crooked teeth is not addressed, placing braces on teeth could be like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic - sure they will look straight, but the delay would have done nothing to ward off impending disasters like poor sleep into adulthood, chronic pain or airway problems.

Mums and dads are often shocked when I tell them that crooked teeth are usually the result of poor oral health habits:

•           Not swallowing properly
•           Not breathing through the nose
•       Not keeping the tongue in the right place

A (fun) fact: The tongue is one of the strongest muscles and can exert up to 500g of force, but it only takes 1.7 g of force to move a tooth (ie via braces)

If that surprised you:

Scientific research proves that it only takes 6 months of poor sleep to cause permanent damage, to the brain, to the heart and throughout the body.

You see, the REAL point of orthodontic treatment and braces is to give your child longer-term health benefits to improve their quality of life in adulthood. Beautiful, straight teeth are just a happy bonus!

How, you ask? Because by fixing the combined forces of the tongue, cheeks and lips, which is what orthodontic treatments correct,  you will help to minimise the chances of your child relapsing into the bad habits above.

So does my child now have these problems for life?

No, the underlying issues can be fixed. Its not always necessarily by me, but I can help with either directing you to the right place or with training the oral habits and testing out the origin of the poor sleep, mouth breathing, or misalignment of teeth.

But that’s only if you take action now, because these preventive treatments only work during certain stages in your child’s physical development.

Preventive orthodontic treatment is a combination of exercises (breathing, lips, tongue position) that corrects poor oral habits and sometimes along with the use of a removable dental device.

Its been proven preventive orthodontics are a better option in every sense for your child and your wallet.

But how do I know that my child even has these problems?

There are many signs that point to a potential problem, which may be fixed by preventive orthodontics :

•         Mouth Breathing (Day or night)
•         Snoring
•         Fussy Eating (especially with certain food)
•         Restless Sleep
•         Bedwetting (Between the ages of 5-8+)
•         Night terrors/Sleep talking/Sleep walking
•         Teeth grinding in their sleep
•         Prolonged colds or repeated ear infections
•         Difficulty to wake up or getting tired during the day
•         Neck pain/Back pain

I can confidently promise you that we can help. We will listen. If you tell us that your child has these symptoms you won’t be dismissed as a paranoid parent.

Why? With over 10 years experience in this field and helping hundreds of kids avoid braces and promote healthy facial growth. I have seen first hand how 3 out of 4 children have some form of malocclusion. Seeing years of consistent results (better sleep and behaviour, no need for braces) it’s clear that early intervention is the key.  Instead of waiting until all their adult teeth appear and ultimately being left with expensive and painful options (a higher chance of teeth removal or surgery) it is best that we assess children early to see if preventive orthodontics is an option.

For an obligation free chat, please call 94596300 

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How to make teething rusks at home for your baby

Teething is never an easy road for the baby and the parents. At times we may feel very helpless as our babies go through the awful process. They are so young to comprehend that it really hurts. However It’s a very natural process that babies need to endure and get through. As parents, we can actually do something to help make teething easier.

What are rusks?

A rusk is a hard baked bread or biscuit which is used as a teething food for babies. They’re created so babies can bite & chew down without even cracking the rusk.

This is one great substitute for teething rings because the ingredients are basically organic and natural in the forms of milk, wheat, and it contains no added sugar. They taste great which makes a great snack for toddlers too!

What age can you give a baby a rusk?

It’s best to give rusks when you have started solids and your baby can grasp objects properly. Even though its unlikely that they will be able to break through the rusk, its vital that the baby is being watched for signs of choking or if the rusk breaks.

Are teething rusks safe?

Yes, as long as the baby is being watched, and normal safety precautions are taking place. Remember, you know your baby best and you should modify my recipe to suit your baby's needs and your own situation.

As a dentist who treats children every week anecdotal evidence (as well as my experience) tells me that teeth rusks can be very soothing for our babies. So now for the recipe:

Easy Homemade Rusk Recipe

By: Dr Ayesha Tiwary
Ingredients:
125g Rice (any type)
Banana or other fruit purees (depending on your preference)

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking paper.
2. Place 125g rice (Any type) into a blender.
3. Blend 30secs stopping every 10 secs to push grains from the top of the lid back into the bowl.
4. Repeat Step 3 until rice grains are a fine powder.
5. Break Banana into pieces and add to the blender and mix 10 secs (I have tried this with other fruit purees instead of banana, and all have worked well)
6. Transfer mixture to a separate bowl.
7. Form mixture into 8 - 10 8-cm long log shapes and place on baking tray.
8. Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

Allow to cool completely before giving to your little one to enjoy (or place them in the freezer they last longer and the cold rusk can be soothing on the gums as well)
Make your own easy homemade baby rusk, and let us know if your baby loves it. Enjoy!

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

How you can help your teething baby

So this is the first time I’m dealing with a teething baby in a non-professional way (except for my own which I don’t remember, thank God!). Teething is never an easy road for the baby or the parents. At times we may feel very helpless as our babies go through the awful process as well as being extra sleep deprived.

When does teething usually begin?

Teething can begin at any age (some babies are even born with teeth!) However it typically begins around 4 months, with the tooth cutting through around 6 months.

Girls generally get their teeth a little earlier than boys, however every baby is different. Usually the lower incisors (or 2 mid-front teeth) pops out with the molars erupts last. This could take up to 2 years, but don’t worry our babies won’t be teething the whole entire time!

The above image is just a guide, don't worry if your baby isn't exactly following these times.

What do you expect during teething?

While every baby differs during the teething process you can expect a few fussy nights, especially as the teeth are cutting through. It’s important to try a couple different soothing options because each will work better for different babies.

Ultimately, a little trial and error will go a long way but don’t be overly concerned if you can’t completely soothe them. Their teeth are erupting after all and some pain should be expected. On the other hand, if discomfort seems excessive or goes on for a week or more, make an appointment with your doctor as it could be something else.

Every baby’s teething experience usually differs. There will be nights that the baby is squeamish, and there are some that develops low grade fever. But, there’s a lot of misconceptions on fever being associated with the teething process per se. Yes, your baby is cranky and may even have a mild fever. But if the temp. is above 38 degrees it is likely because of an infection, not teething.

What are the signs my baby is teething?

Some common symptoms your baby is teething include:
1. Baby is very irritable!
2. Puts everything to their mouth
3. Slightly puffy gums
4. So much drooling going on!
5. Biting into anything
6. No appetite
7. Rubs face most of the time.
8. Ear pulling (This is actually very clever, as they are trying to alleviate some of their pain.)
9. Flush cheeks

What can I do to help ease my baby’s pain?

Here are a few things that I have done to help soothe my son’s pain (and therefore mine!)
- The almighty Bonjella and gum massage, this usually gives him instant relief
- Chewing on a cold washcloth (sometimes I put in on my shoulder so he gets cuddles and gets to chew at the same time)
- Homemade rusks (See my recipe here)
- Homemade teething rings (see some ideas here)
- Panadol (sometimes this is what helps us all sleep)
- Breast milk/formula ice cubes or in a mesh pacifier

Just explore on what works better. Basically, a little experiment goes a long way!

If you're still worried about your baby or toddlers teeth then give us a call because our children's dentists here in Melbourne have patience in abundance to take care of your child. Plus, you'll be able to get the answers that you need in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.

Your child may also be eligible for $1000 of free dental treatment under the CDBS, let us help you find out. Visit our CBDS help page to understand more about the eligibility rules and also to help us help you find out if your little ones are eligible for free dental treatment or call us on (03) 9459 6300 or make an appointment online:

Or you can book an appointment by calling us on (03) 9459 6300 during business hours

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist

Baby teeth will fall out, so should my kids take care of them?

Yes! Dental health in deciduous teeth preempts what is to come in their adult teeth. This why getting into good habits early and eliminating any decay will make for better health.

Decay in baby teeth should be fixed - especially if those teeth are still going to be there for a few years.  Most decay can be restored without anesthetic and is a simple procedure that children react positively to.

However, once the decay has extended to the pulp of the tooth, that’s when it can be really painful for children and a more difficult procedure is required, along with the potential use of anesthetics. This can sometimes be frightening for the child which can lead to a fear of dentists and further neglect of their teeth and general oral health.

We advise parents of all our little patients with baby teeth to instill good oral health habits in their children from a young age. This helps keep the little tackers happy and their parents free of unnecessary headaches.

If you want to keep your child's teeth in the best possible condition, call us on (03) 9459 6300 or book an appointment online for a great dental treatment experience:

Publisher: Heidelberg Dentist