It’s a common mistake to believe your child’s baby teeth don’t matter because they will eventually fall out and be replaced by a permanent set. Despite this misconception, the primary teeth serve a significant purpose in your child’s speech, physical growth, and emotional development. The dental care professionals at Pediatric Dental Group believe parents can better help their kids to develop healthy oral habits by understanding the importance of baby teeth.

Why Your Child’s Baby Teeth Matter

1. Developing Speech

When your child is first learning to speak, it’s important they have a healthy set of baby teeth to develop their speech. Losing one or even several teeth at an early age can impact the way they talk. 

2. Making Space for Adult Teeth

Baby teeth save room in the mouth for where the adult set will grow in. When baby teeth are lost at too early of an age, new ones will move into the space. This can cause the permanent teeth to become overcrowded or crooked as they grow in, leading to a more expensive orthodontic and dental care treatment when your child gets older.

3. Healthy Growth

The most significant period of physical growth occurs in childhood. For your child to be healthy in every aspect of their lives, it’s important they can eat a nutritious and well-balanced diet. Without a full set of baby teeth, they may be unable to chew or eat all their necessary meals.

Don’t overlook the importance of your child’s first set of teeth. If you are located on the island of Oahu, HI, schedule an appointment at Pediatric Dental Group in Honolulu. Their highly trained team of dentists specialize in dental care for infants and children. Call (808) 593-8828 today to schedule an appointment, or visit their website for more information about their practice and dental care services.