During early childhood, your kid’s primary teeth will grow in and then fall out during adolescence as their adult teeth come in. Some parents may assume that these “baby teeth” aren’t really important to their children’s oral hygiene since they’ll simply fall out later. Some might even neglect their children’s dental cleaning altogether, which can lead to major issues as their child grows up.
Even though baby teeth aren’t permanent, they’re still essential to your child’s health. This set of primary teeth will help your child:
- Eat nutritiously. Kids with tooth decay and cavities might avoid tough or crunchy foods, such as raw fruit or veggies. Healthy teeth and gums help promote a more balanced diet.
- Avoid painful infections. Poor dental hygiene increases the risk of tooth decay, which can cause pain, swelling, and infections that can spread to other parts of the body.
- Express themselves. Children who lose their baby teeth too early can have difficulty pronouncing certain words and sounds. In severe cases, speech therapy may be recommended if your child is too hard for others to understand.
- Save room for their adult teeth to come in. Baby teeth act as guides for the secondary set of teeth. Children’s dental cleanings will keep these teeth healthy, prevent them from falling out too early, and allow their adult teeth to come in in the right places.
- Socialize and smile. Toddlers and young school-aged children can become self-conscious of decaying or missing teeth. Kids with discolored or decayed teeth might cover their mouth when they laugh or smile, and they might have trouble socializing with other kids.
Help your child achieve a lifelong healthy smile by scheduling a children’s dental cleaning appointment with our pediatric dentist today!