“Why do I need to fix my child’s baby tooth if it’s just going to fall out anyway?” This is a question we get asked a lot in our office. The answer is because primary, or “baby,” teeth serve an important purpose in your child’s present and future oral health.
Baby Teeth Have Three Main Functions:
Besides providing an aesthetic appeal to your child’s smile and boosting their self-esteem, primary teeth have three main functions:
- They aid in proper chewing, fostering good nutrition
- They promote proper speech development
- They reserve a space for permanent teeth to grow in
When a baby tooth is lost too early due to trauma or decay, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can make teeth crooked or crowded causing future orthodontic problems. That’s why starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
Taking care of those primary teeth not only prevents decay, but also helps your child get into the habit of good oral hygiene and sets the stage for their future oral health. Baby teeth may fall out but they are still very important!
Regular Dental Visits Make For A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles
Your child’s first dental visit is an important milestone! Children should visit the dentist when their first tooth appears or around their first birthday.
On your child’s first visit at Smile Island, we will check his or her mouth for decay and other problems as well as show parents proper cleaning techniques. Another benefit of early, regular dental visits is that we can determine if a child is at a higher risk for cavities and implement appropriate intervention.
Baby Teeth Matter
Even though they’re temporary, your child’s baby teeth are essential to their growth and development. Teach children to take care of their baby teeth and set them on a lifelong path of good oral hygiene. If you have any questions, call us at 916-773-6565.
We love our patients and their beautiful smiles!
References: ADA Web site - https://www.mouthhealthy.org
The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
Generally, young children need to take care of their oral health at some point in their lives. The teeth of babies begin coming in around six months. Therefore, proper oral hygiene for a child is essential from the very beginning. Proper care of the primary teeth will ensure healthy mouths for the rest of the child's life. By the time the child starts to grow into an adult, they will also have healthy teeth.
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