We’ve mentioned quite a bit about dentistry for kids and seeing a pediatric dentist in Houston as soon as their first tooth comes in, but why is it so important?
If a child’s teeth are just going to fall out on their own when their adult teeth come in, why should you take so many precautions to protect the baby teeth?
There are several reasons why your child’s baby teeth are important. First and foremost, you want your child to be comfortable when they chew food or drink liquids. Painful teeth are no fun at any age.
Beyond that, a number of potential diseases can be prevented by taking care of young teeth.
Importance of Baby Teeth
Your child’s baby teeth, also called primary teeth, provide the base alignment of their adult teeth that will come in later in life.
Keeping the baby teeth aligned properly helps develop and maintain an even bite. Keeping them healthy means that the gums and bones will also be more healthy, which will be important for the adult teeth.
Baby teeth also affect a child’s speech. Children often feel insecure if their speech isn’t like that of people around them, or if their teeth don’t seem to line up quite right, or it’s difficult to chew because of a tooth.
With dentistry for kids, these issues can be avoided or corrected.
Early Dental Issues
There are some dental problems that can come up before a child loses their first teeth.
Early childhood tooth decay can occur if a child stays on the bottle or breast for too long. Once their first teeth start coming in, it’s best to have them weaned off nursing to prevent cavities.
Ensuring a balanced diet that minimizes the intake of sugary drinks and foods is also advised. Sugar provides nourishment for the bacteria that leads to cavities.
Monitoring for gum disease is especially important in pediatric dentistry. About 40% of children will experience some symptom of gum disease, usually mild inflammation.
Prevent your child from sucking on fingers, pacifiers, and other objects beyond three to four years old.
Continuing this practice can cause teeth to shift, leading to an uneven bite and increased risk of gum disease.
