Many parents are unsure when or how to start brushing their young children’s teeth. It is an important and legitimate concern: we want our children to have happy and healthy mouths. Failing to maintain their oral health can lead to frequent and costly dental treatment, so what can you do to get your little ones on the right track?

You wouldn’t think tooth decay share anything in common with exercise. In fact, both seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum. However, they do have one link that is surprising, to say the least. No, exercising does not directly cause cavities in your mouth. You can stop worrying now! However, a chemical called lactic acid does play a role in both. So why is this worth mentioning? Well, many of my patients have often expressed the idea that the direct contact of sugar on teeth is what creates cavities. Sugar hits the tooth and BOOM… cavities. While sugar can eventually lead to decay, it does not do it through direct exposure. So how does tooth decay develop? Read on to find out.

How many teeth do children have vs. adults? 

Children have 20 baby teeth, and will get a total of 32 when they become adults. The 12 additional adult teeth come from the adult molars and wisdom teeth, with the first of these coming in at 6 years of age. Children DO have “baby molars,” but they’re actually replaced by premolars later on. Baby teeth are also known as “milk teeth” or “primary teeth.” They mimic the appearance of adult teeth, but are smaller sized and often lighter in color.