The Importance of Primary Teeth


The Importance of Primary Teeth

Ask about fluoride


  • Brush daily with a fluoride toothpaste

  • Limit sweets

  • Check-up every six months

    • One or More Cavities

  • Get those cavities filled!

  • Ask about fluoride

  • Brush daily with a fluoride toothpaste

  • Talk to your dentist about: preventive resin for the baby teeth, special fluoride treatment, check-up six every months

    Proper early treatment, good home care and regular examination can assure your child will have fewer dental problems later in life.


  • Sealants: A white or clear plastic material that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back permanent teeth. The sealant acts as a barrier, protecting the decay-prone areas of the back teeth from plaque and acid

  • Oral Hygiene Instruction: To help teach parents and children techniques to clean their teeth more effectively.

  • Space Maintenance: When primary (milk) teeth are lost early, it is important to maintain the space for the permanent teeth. The eruption of the 6-year (first) permanent and the 12-year (second) permanent molars can cause shifting and movement of the teeth. Thus, the space maintainer can reduce overcrowding.

  • Habit Appliances: Non-nutritive sucking is one of the baby's natural reflexes that makes an infant feel secure and happy. If a child engages in non-nutritive sucking, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends introduction of a pacifier rather than sucking of thumbs, fingers or a nursing bottle. Most children will quit a habit by age 3 while 20% of children continue finger habits past age 5.