Milk teeth and permanent teeth are the two sets of teeth that every one has in their life time.

Milk teeth: Milk teeth or deciduous teeth start developing when the child is about 6 months old. Children have about 20 milk teeth altogether by the age of 2 or 3. Milk teeth are equally important as they have a role in the development of the permanent teeth.

Permanent teeth: Permanent teeth start developing at the age of 6 and by 13 a child will have a set of 30 permanent teeth. Wisdom teeth found at the back, generally develop in mid-twenties. Permanent teeth develop by exfoliating the roots of the milk teeth as a result the milk teeth fall off and the permanent teeth come out. 

What are the dental problems generally seen in children?

Tooth cavities: Thousands of bacteria are present in our mouth as they have loads of sugars and other food materials available for their growth. In their process of growth, they release many acids which are harmful for the teeth. These acids digest the enamel and form cavities in the teeth. Irregular brushing habits in addition to excess intake of sugary foods encourage the bacterial growth which ultimately leads to tooth decay. This can be stopped by regular brushing with a fluoride tooth paste. Fluoride strengthens the enamel and makes it resistant to the acids.

Dental erosion: Enamel is the outermost protective layer of the teeth. It is the hardest part of the body and does not grow back if lost. Dental erosion is a phenomenon in which the enamel wears off due to the action of acids. Intake of acidic drinks generally causes dental erosion. Lack of enamel on the teeth results in sensitivity and pain.

What are the general tips for my child’s dental care?

- Always clean the child’s gum with a damp cloth after feeding so as to prevent any bacterial development.

- When the child starts developing teeth, clean them daily with a soft baby brush available in the market.

- Always follow good feeding habits. Prevent the child from sucking the milk bottle through out the day as this may lead to bottle mouth, a phenomena where the milk sugars damage the enamel.

- Try inculcating good dental habits in your child at an early age. Make him brush twice a day. Teach him to brush gently with circular motions to remove all plaque from the teeth. Supervise while he is brushing.

- Check the teeth regularly for any spots and stains. If you find any, take him to the dentist immediately.

- Take your child to a pediatric dentist regularly so as to prevent any dental problems in the future. 

- Use a fluoride free tooth paste when the child is too young as excess fluoride develops stains on the teeth and may also lead to fluorosis. When he is about two years old start using fluoride toothpaste. Always use the tooth paste in small quantities and make sure that your child spits off the paste without swallowing.

- Also ask your dentist to prescribe fluoride supplements if necessary as fluoride helps in the hardening of the tooth enamel apart from preventing certain oral diseases like dental caries and cavities.

- Once your child develops permanent teeth ask your dentist to seal the crevices of the back teeth using sealants to prevent decaying. This is to be done as cleaning the deep crevices of the back teeth is difficult and they may start decaying.

- Follow a good diet for healthy teeth. Include low fat milk and dairy products in his diet as they have high amounts of calcium which helps in strengthening of the teeth. Avoid giving him sugary foods and snacks frequently. Instead choose nutritional snacks. Prevent him from consuming acidic drinks.

- Thumb sucking among the children is common until the age of four. If your child still sucks the thumb at four then consult your dentist.

With the help of the above tips you can prevent dental disorders in your child’s life