EN 
ES Dr. Arabella Michelén
The most common questions parents have about their children’s oral health are: when to take them to their first dental appointment and the importance of baby teeth. In this article, we will try to answer both.
According to the World Health Organization, the first visit to the pediatric dentist should take place with the eruption of the first tooth or around the first year. However, it is important for parents to be informed about oral care and hygiene from the moment of birth. These instructions should preferably be received from the child’s future dentist. Remember that the mouth should be cleaned even without teeth, especially if the child is formula-fed. This consultation will also allow for the identification of potential problems and the prevention of complications.
Baby teeth are twenty in total, distributed as ten in the upper arch and ten in the lower arch. Their eruption generally begins at four months and finishes around two years. It varies from child to child; however, this range is the most common. Their function is not only for chewing.
Main functions of primary teeth:
⁃ Chewing: Without proper swallowing of food, healthy nutrition is impossible, which in turn affects proper physical and mental development. Healthy teeth are vital for the overall growth of the individual.
⁃ They serve as a guide for the eruption of permanent teeth. Keeping baby teeth in the mouth until the time of shedding is an important factor in ensuring that permanent teeth occupy the correct position, thus preventing crowding and all the negative consequences that entails.
⁃ Phonation: They allow correct pronunciation of certain sounds. In cases of premature loss or absence, the child’s speech is affected.
⁃ Well-being and mental health: The presence of primary teeth with multiple cavities or missing teeth can cause bad breath and an unattractive smile, making the child not only a target of ridicule but also more susceptible to general infections and to deficient development in various aspects of human growth.
The simplest and most effective way to care for baby teeth is through proper hygiene, healthy nutrition, and regular visits to the pediatric dentist, at least twice a year.
Las cuales son responsabilidad de los padres. El no hacerlo, traerá consigo: mal aliento, caries, enfermedad periodontal, pérdida a destiempo de los dientes temporales y alteraciones en la salud general.
Cavities in primary teeth progress rapidly because the enamel is very thin; therefore, time is a critical factor in their development. At the first sign of discoloration or a spot on the tooth surface, a visit to the dentist is urgent.
It is very important to understand and act knowing that baby teeth are temporary; however, the problems and complications that can arise from not taking proper care of them can last a lifetime.
Today's Newspaper Article
The role of the pediatric dentist in children’s oral and overall health