When it comes to baby teeth, dentists often hear questions and comments like:
Are baby teeth that important?
It's only baby teeth, so we won’t worry about them.
Oh, it's baby teeth, they are not important.
To address these common concerns and questions, let's first look at the role of baby teeth. Our first set of teeth, known as baby or milk teeth, consists of twenty teeth in total. As the child grows, these teeth fall out and are replaced by adult teeth. This process starts around age five and is usually completed by age twelve. The front teeth are lost from age six to eight, and the back teeth from age ten to twelve. The main roles of baby teeth are for eating and reserving space for adult teeth.
Should We Bother About Baby Teeth?
The answer is a definite yes. Just like in adults, it is highly recommended that children brush their teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, visit the dentist regularly, and floss daily. Decay in baby teeth occurs rapidly, often resulting in early loss. Early loss of baby teeth can cause loss of space for adult teeth as the remaining teeth can shift. This can lead to crowding, impactions, and shifting of midlines, necessitating complex orthodontic treatment in the future.
Common Issues and Treatments
Decay and Its Consequences
Decay on baby teeth commonly occurs between the teeth due to a lack of flossing. When this happens, the teeth need to be filled to maintain space for adult teeth and prevent disease progression, which could lead to infections, facial swelling, and pain. Sometimes, decay may be extensive, requiring extractions. In some cases, space-maintaining devices may be necessary following extractions to prevent space loss due to the movement of other teeth, particularly for back teeth. However, if this happens when the teeth are close to being naturally lost, space maintenance may not be necessary. Timing plays a vital role in managing decayed teeth in children. Early decay needs to be addressed urgently to help preserve the teeth. If decay occurs late when the teeth are about to be lost, a monitoring approach can be adopted.
Regular Dental Care
It is crucial to instill good dental habits in children from an early age. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are essential to prevent decay and other dental issues. By taking care of baby teeth, we ensure that the transition to adult teeth is smooth and without complications.
If you’re looking for a dentist near me to support your child's dental health, regular visits will help instill these healthy habits and maintain their oral well-being.