Most children will have all 20 of their baby teeth by the age of 3, but they should already be seeing a dentist regularly once their very first tooth comes in. According to La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry, this is to start embedding good dental care habits from an early age and to check for any problems. The Wisconsin dentist also recommends that parents think about adding sealants to their child’s baby teeth to protect them from tooth decay.

Although baby teeth will eventually fall out, taking care of them is important for your child’s overall oral health. From the ages of 6 to 14, children are far more likely to get cavities than at any other point in their lives. While it may not seem like a big deal for baby teeth to decay or develop cavities, it can lead to bigger problems. For instance, they could develop a painful infection or permanent teeth could develop tooth decay before they ever grow in. Sealants, which are thin, plastic coatings painted on the chewing surfaces of the teeth, keep out food particles and bad bacteria that can lead to tooth decay.

Since baby teeth play an incredibly important role in holding space for the permanent teeth, it is vital that they do not fall out too early. This could result in crooked or crowded adult teeth, and in some cases, the other baby teeth could move entirely into the empty spot, blocking the permanent tooth from coming in.

If you want to ensure your child’s dental care is off to a good start, ask La Crosse Pediatric Dentistry about sealants today. Call the dental office at (608) 782-4054 or learn more by visiting them online.