Why are baby teeth important?
Primary teeth are important to your child’s future dental health because they help with proper chewing and eating, aid in speech development and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly and smile confidently is a happier child. Primary teeth permit normal development of the jaw bones and muscles. They save space for the permanent teeth and guide them into position. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, the teeth beside it may tilt, causing permanent teeth to come in crooked. In addition, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth are not treated.
Your child’s baby teeth are important. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded.
Primary teeth have been labeled “baby teeth.” However, the first tooth is usually lost around age 6 and some primary molars must remain in place until 12 or 13 years of age. Primary teeth are necessary for proper chewing, speech, development of the jaws and esthetics. Care of the primary teeth is important not only for proper function, but also to avoid a number of unpleasant conditions, such as pain or infection, that result from their neglect.
The primary teeth, or first set of teeth, are tremendously important. Healthy primary teeth allow your child to speak clearly, properly chew food, and look good. From a dental viewpoint, primary teeth are placeholders for the growing permanent teeth. When a primary tooth comes out too soon the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space. Once the permanent tooth begins to erupt, there may not be adequate spacing, which can result in crooked or crowded teeth. Q: At what age should I take my child to see the dentist? A: If possible, it is best to take your child to the dentist by the child’s first birthday – starting earlier aids in preventing problems. At the child’s first visit we will check for decay, teach you proper oral hygiene care, evaluate any adverse habits, identify any fluoride needs, and provide individual nutritional guidance. Starting dental visits early will assist in creating lifelong healthy dental habits. Q: How often does my child need to see the dentist? A: Typical
