Milk teeth, or baby teeth, may seem like temporary developments, reminding you of gapped smiles and the tooth fairy, but managing your baby’s oral health from the beginning of their lives is just as important as ensuring they are well nourished, rested, and socialised. Put simply, what’s going on in your mouth tells a dentist lots about overall health, and oral care has a powerful impact on overall wellbeing. Let’s look at some reasons why caring for your baby’s milk teeth is important.

Baby teeth lay the foundation for permanent teeth, acting as placeholders for the adult set, which come in between six and seven years of age. Proper care helps ensure they stay healthy, aiding in the development and positioning of permanent teeth.

Your baby’s speech development is also influenced by how well you care for their milk teeth. Teeth affect how we produce sounds and articulate words, which a baby is just learning to master. Teeth affect their ability to do everything from forming consonants correctly to talking without spitting. Healthy baby teeth help children learn to speak clearly and properly.

Chewing and Nutrition: Baby teeth are essential for chewing food properly, aiding in digestion and overall nutrition. They need to be cared for to stay healthy, as tooth decay can set in from the time teeth appear (around six months) and create over time. Unii can help you understand how to brush your baby’s teeth correctly.

Self-Esteem and Social Development: Healthy teeth contribute to a child’s confidence and social interactions. This is important to both only children and those with siblings, as while communicating with you is always their primary learning experience in this early stage, gaining confidence with others will help prevent problems like stranger anxiety, preparing them for the time when you need to leave them and return to work.

Preventing Dental Problems: Early dental care establishes good oral hygiene habits and prevents issues like decay, pain, and infections.

While baby teeth do eventually fall out, neglecting them can lead to serious dental problems that affect a child’s overall health and well-being.

Why are baby teeth more vulnerable to cavities than permanent teeth?

Babies can get cavities as soon as their teeth come in, around six months old. They're more vulnerable because their tooth enamel is softer, they're often exposed to sugars from milk and foods, and their oral hygiene habits are developing. Starting good oral care early helps prevent cavities and promotes healthy teeth.

When should my child have their first dentist appointment?

Your child should have their first dentist appointment around their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears, whichever comes first. This early visit allows the dentist to check for early signs of tooth decay, monitor tooth development, and provide guidance on oral hygiene practices tailored to your child's needs.

What will happen at my child’s first dentist appointment?

At your child’s first dentist appointment:

The dentist will gently check your child’s teeth, gums, and mouth for any issues.
The dentist may clean and polish their teeth.
They'll show you how to properly care for your baby's teeth.
The dentist will discuss what they’ve seen with you and provide recommendations for their future care.

How can I help them develop positive associations with the dentist?

Your child will have more positive associations with the dentist if you start bringing them in as early as possible—within six months of the baby teeth coming in if you can—and make it a fun, calm experience.
Choosing a paediatric dentist, if accessible, can help.
You should also aim to use positive language and role play regarding what a dentist is and what they do, including when you speak about your own dental appointments or those of your partner and other children.
Maintaining a regular dental routine during which you’re upbeat and cheerful will impact your child’s mood.
If your child displays fears about the experience, you should address them gently, encourage bravery, and reward them appropriately after the appointment.

For more on caring for your baby’s health, watch top consultant paediatrician Dr. Su Laurent's Baby Health video course.

Why is taking care of my baby's milk teeth important?

Some older relatives might tell you not to worry about baby teeth as they just fall out. Unii explains why caring for baby teeth is so important.