The Truth about Baby Teeth.

Posted on 26/10/20

Learn about the most common misconceptions so you can be sure that you are giving your children’s teeth the best possible start in life.

Baby teeth don’t matter because they fall out anyway
Wrong! Neglecting your children’s milk teeth can store up a lifetime of problems for them. Milk teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth so have less protection against bacteria. Decay can cause painful abscesses and if extractions are required, your child is more likely to develop crooked or problematic permanent teeth, as milk teeth help to create the right spacing.

Fruit juice is a healthy choice for kids
Not for their teeth it isn't! Sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay and fruit is packed with a natural sugar called fructose. Many popular juice brands contain as much sugar as fizzy drinks! Avoid giving fruit juice to your children, but if you do, we recommend that you always dilute it, only give it to them as part of a meal, and never give it to them to drink out of a bottle or sippy cup.

Rinse after brushing your teeth
Never. You and your children should spit the toothpaste out, not rinse. Rinsing washes away the protective fluoride found in toothpaste, which goes on working after you have finished brushing. If your child doesn’t like the minty taste, find a toothpaste with a milder flavour, but make sure it contains fluoride.

The more toothpaste you have use, the cleaner your teeth will be
Actually, less is more when it comes to toothpaste. Using a smear of toothpaste (just enough to cover the bristles) will provide your child’s tooth enamel with adequate fluoride while helping you to detect any areas that may not be getting as clean as they ought to.

Baby teeth fall out before adult teeth
Not necessarily. Often adult teeth grow behind the baby tooth. This is quite common and is often referred to as ‘shark’s teeth’. There is no cause for concern as nature usually takes care of the baby teeth over time. However, if the permanent tooth continues to grow in and the baby tooth does not loosen, then the baby tooth may need to be extracted.