Healthy teeth — from the very start

"Mummy, Mummy, he didn't drill at all!" Who does not still remember that cry of joy from television adverts of years gone by? Who does not remember the earnest smile of a grey-haired TV dentist and all those dentists' wives with dazzlingly white teeth? Even if the appearances of one or another dental TV icon were rather crude, they achieved one thing: we all began to concern ourselves ever more closely with caring for our teeth with brushes and pastes – and so made an important contribution to a healthy life ourselves. For it has been scientifically established for years that the state of teeth and gums has a great influence on a person's health

Preventing disease and keeping teeth and gums healthy are lifelong tasks: with ideal dental care at home, the right diet and regular visits to the dental practice. A prevention-oriented practice works out a health plan for the children together with the parents. Because today too, everybody is pleased to hear: "Mummy, Mummy, he didn't drill at all!"

Children's teeth – a coming and going

Children's teeth are already there before the baby is born. The milk teeth and the first permanent teeth are laid down while the child is still developing in the womb. The milk teeth usually begin to come through from the sixth month of life. As in a child's development as a whole, there are very great individual differences with the teeth as well. Usually, however, the set of milk teeth – four incisors, two canines and four molars in each of the upper and lower jaw – is complete before the third birthday

The first little teeth rarely cause major complications: redness and slight swelling of the gum are as normal as an increased flow of saliva. Pain occasionally occurs, which may be accompanied by fever or diarrhoea and other general complaints. A teething ring, cooled if possible, or preparations applied locally that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties can help here. They should be discussed with the paediatrician