WHY ARE THEY CALLED MILK TEETH?
This is the everyday name for the first teeth babies get, but their correct name is primary teeth or deciduous dentition.
The origin of this way of referring to them is not clear and there are different opinions: one is based on the idea that these teeth appear at the stage when the baby’s main food is breast milk, which provides the corresponding calcium; the other is based on the colour of the teeth, which is a purer white than that of permanent teeth and is determined by their maturation time and the dentine layer.
HOW MANY ARE THERE AND WHEN DO THEY APPEAR?
Between the fourth and sixth week of the baby’s life in the womb, the primary teeth begin to form, withthe permanent teeth beginning to form at 6 months of p regnancy.
But once babies are born, when baby teeth appear is not something fixed, as it can vary considerably from one child to another. The first tooth usually appears between 4 months and one year, and completing the dentition usually takes around 2-3 years. Here is an outline of the timeline for the appearance of primary teeth.
BABY TEETH: 20 TEETH
TEETH: 32 TEETH
CARING FOR BABY TEETH
Proper oral hygiene must always be maintained, regardless of age or number of teeth. A baby’s oral hygiene should begin shortly after birth, without waiting for the first baby teeth to appear.
In the first stage, when the baby still has no teeth, the gums can be cleaned with a gauze moistened with water, which neutralises bacteria.
As soon as the first teeth come through, a special baby toothbrush can be used; it is very important that this brush has very soft bristles so as not to harm the baby’s gums. During the
first few years an adult should brush the child’s teeth, but little by little, as they gain dexterity, it is a good idea for them to practise (even if an adult gives the final pass to ensure proper brushing). The brushing rules should
be the same as for the rest of the family: brush for two minutes, three times a day, and replace the brush every three months or whenever the filaments are worn.
Remember that at Pierrot we have a toothbrush adapted to every child’s age, ensuring proper oral hygiene at every moment and for every need.
