The following care should not be ignored just because baby teeth eventually fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. At birth, a child typically has from none to a few of their baby teeth. We must begin to instill the necessity of good oral hygiene to children as soon as they re born. Get the children ready to accept toothbrushing, flossing and professional dental care without any fear or resistance. By the age of two, a child should have all 20 of their primary teeth.
Primary teeth play a major role in a child s physical and psychological development.
Physically, teeth are necessary not only for proper chewing, which aids in good nutrition, but also for maintaining proper facial form and allowing for proper muscular development. Primary teeth also act as space maintainers, thus preventing the permanent teeth from drifting forward and causing crowding. Psychologically, healthy primary teeth are necessary for a child s smile and social development. A child with bad teeth, resulting from rampant cavities, may act shy and withdrawn due to embarrassment or fear of being teased by their peers. It remains the parent s responsibility to maintain their child s oral hygiene during these younger ages.