Are Baby Teeth Really That Important?
Yes, they are! Baby teeth are often cast aside or deemed less important because they’re temporary and fall out with time. However, despite their short stay, they play a key role in your child’s oral development. This is why our Grandville pediatric dentists believe that starting oral hygiene habits young can result in a healthy smile down the road.
Here are 3 ways baby teeth make a difference in your child’s life and what you can do to keep them free of decay.
Your Child’s Baby Teeth:
1. Act as Placeholders for Incoming Adult Teeth
Humans develop two sets of teeth: primary (baby) and secondary (adult). The first round of teeth amount to 20 total and are small in size. When a child is about 6 years old, they will begin to lose their erupted baby teeth in order to make room for 32 permanent teeth waiting underneath the gum line.
Read More → What to Do With Loose Baby Teeth: Pull or Not Pull?
Before their adult teeth come in, however, their baby teeth hold space in their jaws. If a tooth is lost prematurely, the open spot left behind can cause oral complications. Surrounding teeth wanting to drift into the area will result in crowding and block other permanent teeth from coming in.
Our pediatric dentists will recommend a space maintainer if your . This dental appliance works to leave the space open until the adult tooth is ready to erupt.
2. Help Them When Learning to Speak
Think of someone who hasn’t yet put their false teeth in. They’re a little hard to understand, right? This is because teeth help with the formation of words. Your tongue, lips, and teeth all work together to allow for words to be spoken by controlling airflow out of the mouth.
The existence and positioning of a aid in their pronunciation. For example, when their tongue strikes their teeth or the roof of their mouth, they learn to make a certain sound. Over time, they use their baby teeth to speak full sentences and communicate effectively. Without teeth at all, they would not be able to do this.
3. Can Impact the Health of Their Body
Strong, healthy teeth are crucial when it comes to your child’s ability to chew. When teeth are decayed, however, proper eating becomes harder as chewing can be painful for some. This can potentially discourage children from eating the nutrient-rich foods they need for growth and development. Nutritional deficiencies that may result can affect not only their oral health but also their energy levels, immune system, and even cognitive development. Early intervention and regular care are key to preventing these issues.
Moreover, if an untreated infection arises in one or multiple teeth, it can spread to other areas of the body and possibly be life-threatening. Avoid scary medical complications altogether by encouraging your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day, floss daily, and receive regularly scheduled teeth cleanings inside our Grandville pediatric dental office. The application of dental sealants by our pediatric dentists can also help fend off unwanted cavities.
Learn More About Sealants → Benefits of Dental Sealants
Healthy teeth beget a healthy body so it’s imperative that you help your child form productive oral hygiene habits on their own.
4. Are the Foundation for a Healthy Jaw
Baby teeth are instrumental in guiding the proper development of a child’s jaw and overall oral structure. When baby teeth are healthy and well-aligned, they promote balanced jaw growth, which is essential for a child’s ability to chew, speak, and smile comfortably. On the other hand, early tooth loss due to decay or injury can lead to shifting teeth, misalignment, and even jaw irregularities, which may require orthodontic treatment later in life.
Related Post → When Should My Child Get Braces?
Maintaining baby teeth until they naturally fall out also supports optimal muscle development in the jaw. Regular chewing and biting help strengthen the jawbone and surrounding tissues, which are vital for proper oral function and facial symmetry. By putting children’s oral health first and preventing issues like tooth decay, you can help lay the groundwork for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
Prioritize Oral Health Now for a Healthier Future
Don’t count baby teeth out just because they don’t hang around forever. Our pediatric dentists in Grandville, MI, encourage parents or guardians to make sure children regularly brush, floss, and receive professional teeth cleanings every 6 months. To request an appointment, call Grandville Pediatric Dentistry at (616) 531-3430 today.
This blog post has been updated.