At first glance, it might seem like dental care for baby teeth is unimportant. After all, they’re going to fall out and be replaced in the end, so why take your child to a pediatric dentist before then? In fact, there are several reasons why it’s important to care for baby teeth as you would adult teeth, and they’re a significant part of your child’s development.

Making Space for Adult Teeth

The most vital function of your child’s baby teeth is in the proper growth and development of the jaw. Each baby tooth holds a space for an adult tooth that will eventually come in behind it. When baby teeth are lost prematurely, it can have serious effects on the development of a child’s mature smile, causing crowding and misalignment issues.

Encouraging Development

Teeth aren’t only important for eating and smiling. They also play a crucial role in speaking. If your child’s teeth are missing or in poor health, they may have trouble learning to speak clearly and properly. By protecting their teeth, you and their pediatric dentist are helping them learn and grow.

Reaping Health Benefits

A child who is affected by tooth decay and periodontal disease has more than just a dental problem. If left unchecked, these infections can cause deterioration in other parts of the body. Aside from this, they can be painful on their own, which is unhealthy for your child’s development.

Forming Good Habits

Your child’s early years are a crucial time for teaching them to care for their bodies. If your child doesn’t learn appropriate oral hygiene now, it will be much harder when they get older. Teaching them to care for baby teeth is the best way to ensure their adult teeth will stay healthy when they come in.

Your child’s baby teeth won’t be around forever, but while they’re here, they do important work. Make sure they’re properly cared for by teaching your child to brush and floss regularly and scheduling timely visits to the dentist’s office.

BridgeView Dental Group in Kodiak, AK, is a family and pediatric dentist’s office you can rely on. Dr. Murdoch, Dr. Winthrop, and their team provide quality, compassionate care from simple checkups to emergency dentistry. To schedule an appointment for yourself or your child, call them today at (907) 486-3257 or send a request online.