During your lifetime, you will have two sets of teeth. The first teeth that humans have are often called their baby teeth, but are also known as primary teeth or milk teeth. These first 20 teeth are formed when the embryo is in the mother’s womb. They grow during the first two years of a child’s life and will eventually fall out.
The baby teeth are replaced by a set of adult teeth that may also be called permanent teeth or permanent dentition. These teeth are the last set that you will get and need to last you the rest of your life. Most of us will have 32 permanent teeth, but often times these teeth can break, become damaged or fall out.
Thanks to the improvements in dental care, if you lose a tooth or more than one tooth, you can find ways to replace it. Caps, dentures, and implants are a few of the ways that people can keep their mouth full of the teeth that it needs. While science has found ways to replace those teeth, it is much better if an individual knows how to care for their teeth properly so they do not have to worry about it.
What Should Children Do
Learning to care for your teeth starts when you are a baby. A baby can brush their teeth and gums with the help of an adult as early as a few months old. There is no need for any toothpaste or cleaners at this age. At this stage of learning to brush, it is more about getting a baby into the habit of brushing on a regular basis.
As a child gets older, the care they give their baby teeth can impact the health of their permanent teeth later. If a child brushes their teeth regularly and properly they can keep them healthy and cavity free. It is also a good idea to avoid carbonated beverages and other foods or drinks that can wear away the protective coating of the teeth. A checkup at the dentist every 6 months to a year is another important part of dental health.
What Should Adults Do
For adults, good brushing habits are just as, if not even more important. As you age your teeth can become weaker and worn out without proper care. You should make sure you brush at least once per day and floss at least once per day to keep your teeth and gums clean and healthy. More than anything, the key to a healthy teeth is to pay attention to them. If you notice any types of pain or a change in the way your teeth look, you need to see a dentist. That is in addition to yearly checkups and twice yearly professional cleanings. That will help them keep your permanent teeth strong and healthy for your whole lives.