Baby Teeth: More Than Just Placeholders

“Aren’t they just going to fall out anyway?” This is a common question asked by parents who bring their children for pediatric dental care in South Plainfield, NJ. It is true that baby teeth will eventually fall out of your child’s mouth, but they play a more important role in their dental health than you may realize.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

Baby or primary teeth are critical to your child’s development.

Eating

Primary teeth are no different than permanent “adult” teeth in this sense. They are what allow your child to chew their food and swallow it safely. Baby teeth lost before their time to decay can lead to nutritional deficiencies that may affect your child throughout their life.

Speech

Babies need every tool working at peak as they learn to form words properly. That means the accurate positioning of baby teeth. This will enable your child to pronounce words correctly and confidently.

Self-Esteem

It may seem a little early to worry about a child’s sense of self, but kids are aware of their appearance and compare themselves to other children even at a young age. Crooked teeth or bad breath from poor oral hygiene can erode self-confidence.

Adult Teeth Alignment

The truth is, baby teeth are indeed placeholders for adult teeth. Ideally, each primary tooth will stay in place until a permanent one dislodges it. That ensures that adult teeth come in as they should. Losing a baby tooth to cavities or trauma can lead to the shifting of the permanent teeth.

Caring for Baby Teeth

Start your baby on a path for good oral health early in life, even before that first tooth pops out. Wipe your child’s gums with a soft, damp cloth after each feeding. Once that tooth appears, brush it with a soft toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste. And, see your pediatric dentist in South Plainfield, NJ, before their first birthday.