Although primary teeth are not yet visible in the mouth at birth, their buds are already present in the bone and during their short ‘tooth life’ they perform a long-lasting and important function:
– they play an important role in the development of correct biting and chewing,
– they are essential for the correct formation of speech sounds,
– they provide space for the permanent teeth.
That is why primary teeth should be cared for from day one in the same way as permanent teeth later on, as primary teeth can remain in the mouth until the age of 12, although the change of teeth starts at the age of six.
When primary teeth get decayed, the permanent teeth also suffer: the erupting permanent molar at age 6 pushes forward the decayed primary tooth – so the space for the permanent teeth may be lost.
Worse still, if a primary molar becomes decayed before the age of five and has to be removed. Then there remains no room at all for the underlying tooth or canine. The permanent teeth grow completely in crooked and are located outside the normal, beautiful denture. This means an expensive orthodontic treatment in the future: it takes a long time and is not only unpleasant for the children, but also expensive for parents.
Preventing the development of dental caries in primary teeth helps to avoid deviations in the position of the teeth.
The harmful effects of using bottles:
– dental caries and tooth loss,
– maxilla development problems, especially open bite!
Almost all primary teeth erupt after the first year of life. This is the right time to say goodbye to the milk/tea bottle, as the natural masticatory reflex replaces the original sucking instinct. At the same time, the transition from liquid to solid food can take place. The bottle then becomes redundant and it represents a danger to the developing teeth.