Your child's baby teeth with fall out by the time they're about 12 years old. Some parents believe this means baby teeth aren't important and don't need the same dental care as adult teeth, but pediatric dentistry serves several critical purposes. Here's why your child needs regular tooth brushing and dentist visits right from the start.

Why Pediatric Dentistry Is Important

1. Health & Comfort

While it's true your child's baby teeth will be replaced eventually, they can still cause health issues now. For instance, a bad cavity can give your child a toothache, which will make them uncomfortable and can even keep them from eating properly.

Also, a tooth infection can spread to other parts of the body. If you get your child proper pediatric dentistry care, you can address these problems before they start and keep your child happy and healthy.

2. Groundwork for Adult Teeth

Baby teeth get your child ready for their permanent teeth in two ways. First, they help your child practice dental care habits, so by the time their adult teeth come in, they know how to brush and floss regularly. This means healthier adult teeth in the long run.

Second, they help guide the development of your child's jaw and hold a physical space for adult teeth to come into. Crowded, crooked, or damaged baby teeth can lead to crooked adult teeth.

3. Growth & Development

Your child's teeth are essential in their daily life and hitting developmental milestones. For example, they affect pronunciation as your child learns to speak. If your child is self-conscious about their smile, it might hurt their social relationships with other kids. Strong, healthy teeth help your child eat a varied, nutritious diet as well, so they get the nutrients they need to grow and develop.

For caring pediatric dentistry on Oahu and Maui, choose Pedodontic Associates. They have three locations in Aiea, Kahului, and Honolulu, HI, as well as over 25 years of experience. In addition to routine visits, they offer emergency pediatric dental care. Call (808) 735-1733 for their Honolulu office, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului, or visit them online to find out more about their services.