Milk teeth are as important as adult teeth

Why this guide?

What you will learn

• The importance of milk teeth
• Main difference between milk and adult teeth
• Best way to prevent teeth from decaying

Milk teeth are as important as adult teeth

Show kids that brushing is not just a necessary and annoying duty – it can also be a fun and pleasant everyday activity! 

Between the ages of 4 and 12, children form important habits and perceptions that will serve as a foundation to most of their adult decisions. If a child doesn’t learn proper oral hygiene at this age, there is a fair chance they will have dental problems later in life.

Proper oral care is key

Why do children suffer from caries so often?

It is important to know that the enamel layer on milk teeth is only half as thick as that on adult teeth. Also, milk teeth are less mineralised. Therefore, it is much easier for milk teeth to decay rapidly when neglected. In cases of insufficient oral hygiene, the bacteria colonies grow and are able to turn leftover sugar from food into acids that are destructive towards the enamel.

Over quite a short period of time this leads to the development of a cavity. This process is usually completely pain-free and so can easily go unnoticed. By the time the pain occurs, it is too late to prevent caries – at this point the damage is done in the deeper layers of the teeth.

In today’s world, it’s really hard to go completely sugar-free. That’s why proper oral care is the key to maintaining good health of milk teeth. Parents should focus on maintaining the health of their children’s milk teeth primarily through regular and proper toothbrushing, and secondly through cutting down the sugary contents of their child’s diet to a reasonable extent. It’s important to be aware that many everyday products are rich in sugar.

The golden rule is to get children brushing
their teeth at least twice a day

The golden rule is to get children brushing their teeth at least twice a day, properly, and to visit a dentist at least once a year. Provided that your child has a balanced diet and brushes their teeth thoroughly in the morning and before going to bed, it is okay to have a slice of cake or some chocolate occasionally, if your child brushes their teeth thoroughly in the morning and before going to bed!

Did you know?

The fact about milk molars

Milk molars are all replaced by the adult premolars by the age of 13. The third molars, known as wisdom teeth, start to appear closer to adult age – between 17 and 21 years. Once these teeth are visible, there will be a total of 32 adult teeth, 16 on the top and 16 on the bottom.

The transition from milk to adult teeth

How can you prevent teeth from decaying?

The most important things when it comes to prevention of dental problems are proper brushing, regular appointments with the dentist – once a year, or more frequently if needed – and reasonable sugar intake. The best everyday prevention is to brush regularly, at least twice a day, with a proper toothbrush and suitable toothpaste. 

Although it is often omitted, it is also essential to take care of the tiny interdental spaces. There are many helpful instruments for this – specifically interdental brushes, which can serve as an effective cleaning tool when handling the oral hygiene of even the youngest children. Learn more about interdental brushing in our instruction video.