The importance of baby teeth is often unrealized due to the misconception that temporary teeth need less care; however, these primary teeth serve several vitally important purposes in your child’s long-term dental health. Baby teeth (also called primary teeth, deciduous teeth, temporary teeth, or milk teeth) need care just as permanent (adult) teeth do, in order to aid in many aspects of a child’s overall development and well-being. Keeping these teeth healthy is key to their functionality.
Purposes of baby teeth include:
Many parents assume that because children are just going to lose their baby teeth anyway, it’s not super important to care for them as much as permanent teeth. However, baby teeth are very important for your child’s oral health, both now and in the future. Below are a few of the reasons why:
- Allow for proper chewing and promote jaw development: Properly chewed food is easier to digest. Swallowing partially chewed food or swallowing quickly can lengthen digestion time. The chewing process is also exercise for the jaw and facial muscles, which helps them develop and form.
- Promote balanced nutrition: Healthy baby teeth allow children to consume a variety of foods and textures. If chewing is painful due to early childhood caries, or cavities, your child may refuse to eat certain healthy foods, opting for softer, less painful choices. Foods with varying textures, such as raw fruits and vegetables, also stimulate the gums and help clean the teeth.
- Assist in speech development: Healthy, properly-spaced teeth contribute to correct word formation and clear speech, which are important components in social, emotional, and cognitive development.
- Act as placeholders for the permanent teeth: The roots of the baby teeth create a pathway in which the permanent teeth eventually push through. If teeth are missing due to decay, permanent teeth may erupt out of alignment.
- Create beautiful smiles that build self-esteem: Even young children can feel self-conscious about appearance. A healthy smile can promote confidence at any age.
Keeping your child’s primary teeth (baby teeth) healthy will promote a lifetime of good oral hygiene. Your child’s first teeth will usually appear in the mouth around 6 months. By the time he or she is 3 years old, all of the 20 baby teeth will have made an entrance! However, even though these teeth are called “baby teeth,” they have to last your child until he or she is an early teenager. Teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques and setting an example of good dental habits can have a positive impact on your child that can carry on well into his/her adulthood.
Early Loss of Baby Teeth Can Affect Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth typically begin to emerge at approximately 6 months of age, with all 20 primary teeth usually in place by age 3. During this time, these first teeth are holding space for the permanent teeth that will eventually erupt. In most cases, a baby tooth remains in its socket until a few weeks before the permanent tooth is ready to come in. At this time, the baby tooth becomes loose and falls out naturally or is easily pulled out.
Sometimes, however, unforeseen circumstances can occur which cause a baby tooth to be lost prematurely.
Baby teeth can be lost too early due to:
- Early childhood caries (decay): Baby teeth can get cavities just as adult teeth do. Without proper oral hygiene habits, decay can result and, if left untreated, can require tooth extraction. Baby bottle tooth decay, also called early childhood caries (ECC), is the deterioration of a young child’s tooth enamel due to prolonged or excessive exposure to sugar or sweetened liquids.
- Abscess: Infection can occur in the gums and other tissue surrounding the teeth. A broken, cracked, or decayed tooth can result in bacteria spreading to gums or bone structure. If the pulp of the tooth becomes necrotic (dies), the tooth may require extraction.
- Traumatic tooth injury (avulsion): A tooth may be knocked out completely as a result of a sports injury or accident.
- Congenital or medical condition: A child may be missing a tooth since birth (teeth typically form under the gums around the second trimester of pregnancy), or tooth loss may occur as a result or symptom of a disease.
If a baby tooth is lost too early, the space that is reserved especially for a specific adult tooth may be encroached upon by the remaining teeth on either side. If shifting occurs, the incoming tooth may not have enough room to erupt, resulting in overcrowding and possible misalignment. Permanent teeth that erupt out of their intended position can be a contributing factor for gum disease in children.
Space Maintainers – Solutions for Premature Loss of Baby Tooth
Because the enamel is thinner on your child’s baby teeth, dental cavities become even more likely in small kids. It may surprise you to learn that more than 50% of America’s kids will suffer from tooth decay before the age of five! If tooth decay goes untreated, kids may even lose the damaged tooth. This outcome can cause problems for the spacing of adult teeth.
If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, your pediatric dentist may insert a space maintainer in order to preserve the vacated area until the permanent tooth comes in. Space maintainers are dental appliances which are custom-made by your dentist or orthodontist to fit into the space left by the lost tooth or teeth. This prevents any other teeth from shifting into the space.
Space maintainers can be cemented into the mouth (fixed) or be removable, similar to a dental retainer. While it isn’t always necessary to use a space maintainer, you should always consult your dentist if your child loses a baby tooth well before permanent tooth eruption should begin (usually starting around age 6).
Remember, baby teeth are meant to be used for 5-10 years. The best way to avoid losing any primary teeth too early is to take good care of them. Establishing good oral hygiene habits for your baby and young child will go a long way towards helping them learn how to care for their teeth for the rest of their lives! Make sure you’re brushing your child’s teeth twice a day for two minutes, flossing at least once a day, and visiting Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry every 6 months for a dental cleaning and exam.
At Discovery Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Frisco, our goal is to help your child achieve and maintain excellent dental hygiene that will last a lifetime. If you are looking for a dental home or are concerned that your child is at risk for premature tooth loss, contact our office for an appointment.