How important are baby teeth? Published Jan. 25, 2013 By Capt. (Dr.) Angela Cook 81st Dental Squadron KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Baby teeth, called primary teeth by dentists, serve many important purposes for children. Primary teeth must be properly cared for so they can stay in place until they are lost naturally. Primary teeth help children with proper chewing and speech development and help the permanent teeth by saving space for them. The most prevalent infectious diseases in children are cavities, or dental carries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dental caries can form in children as young as 14 or 15 months. Thankfully, cavities can be prevented as long as parents start taking care of their children's teeth as soon as they first appear. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry both agree that one of the most important parts of infant oral hygiene is the first dental visit because it helps establish what the dental community calls a dental home. A first trip to the dentist is typically a very short appointment that should be made after a baby's first tooth erupts at about six months old, and no later than age 1. At this time, a pediatric or general dentist will discuss the child's treatment needs and risk factors for cavities, as well as nutrition and oral hygiene. By age 2, a child should visit the dentist every six months. A dentist or dental hygienist can demonstrate proper brushing technique. Hold the brush at a 45-degree angle with the bristle tips pointing toward the gums and use light pressure against the tooth with circular brushing motions. Teeth should be brushed after breakfast and before bed with a soft-bristled, child-specific toothbrush. As a child develops the ability to spit, usually around age 3, they may start using a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste. As a child gets older, it is still important for parents to supervise and follow up after he or she has brushed. Until the child can successfully tie his or her own shoes, his or her manual dexterity isn't developed enough to handle tooth brushing and ensure clean teeth. A common, but avoidable, mistake is putting infants or children to bed with a bottle containing something other than water. Giving children bottles of juice, soda or milk before bed is discouraged because this can cause baby-bottle tooth decay. As the child nurses through the night, these drinks bathe teeth in sugar that isn't easily cleared away by saliva. This causes a perfect environment in the mouth for bacteria to cause cavities. Cavities in children can be painful and, without dental treatment, can become infections which may affect the developing permanent teeth and possibly become life threatening. Because baby teeth serve a number of functions in a child's growth and development, it is important that they be protected. Proper oral hygiene begins at home before the first dental visit. With an increased understanding of dental needs and access to proper dental care, parents can help their children have strong, healthy teeth for a lifetime.