Baby teeth can form cavities if they’re not taken care of. And when they’re badly decayed, damaged, or weakened, they may fall out eventually. You might be thinking this shouldn’t be a big issue, but the truth is, baby teeth serve an important role in your child’s mouth. Keeping them healthy is essential, and here are a few reasons why:

• Saving space for permanent teeth. Baby teeth guide the permanent teeth so they’ll erupt in the right place. If a baby's tooth falls out too soon, the teeth next to it can move. The permanent teeth will lose their guide, making it harder for them to erupt properly. As a result, they might come in at an angle or even twisted, pushing another tooth.
• Promoting good health and nutrition.Healthy teeth facilitate chewing. And chewing is essential for breaking down food and ensuring proper digestion. On the other hand, if a child has a sore tooth due to decay or cavities, chewing will be harder too. Poor chewing skills can keep a child from receiving the nutrients their body needs. They may shy away from different food textures and opt for soft food options, thus reducing opportunities to practice chewing further.
• Improving speech.The teeth, tongue, and mouth all work together to produce sounds. When teeth are properly aligned, pronouncing syllables or making certain sounds will be easier. Meanwhile, if there are decayed or missing teeth, a child speaking properly will be more difficult. This can result in slurred or mumbled speech, which can affect their confidence and keep them from interacting with others.
• Protecting adult teeth.Did you know that the outermost layer of baby teeth is thinner than that of adult teeth? This is one reason they’re more prone to damage and cavities. If baby teeth develop cavities and are left untreated, this can also impact the health of the permanent teeth below them. Even before the adult teeth erupt, they’ll need the help of the primary teeth to keep them in great shape.
• Boosting self-esteem.Healthy teeth can help boost a child’s self-esteem just as they can make adults feel better about themselves. A toothache can affect a child’s performance or daily activities. It can cause them to miss school, skip eating, or feel less secure.

Protect Your Child’s Baby Teeth With Routine Dental Checkups

Taking your child to the dentist at an early age helps them establish good dental practices early on as well. Dental authorities recommend going to the dentist after a child turns one or as soon as their teeth start to emerge.

Don’t worry if the first visit doesn’t go well. The goal of these first appointments is to make a child feel more comfortable and win their trust. The progress is gradual, depending on how a child responds.

When you take your child to Centennial Smiles Dental in Calgary, AB, we do our best to make your visit as fun and relaxed as possible. We also provide you with tips on how to keep your child’s teeth healthy.

Baby teeth are important, so we work with parents or guardians to ensure healthy smiles and positive dental experiences for children. Get in touch with us today to get started.