It’s an exciting day when your little one loses their first tooth and you finally have the chance to act as the tooth fairy. However, many parents eventually throw away those baby teeth. Hanging onto them could actually be beneficial in the long run, especially for your dentist. Here are several reasons you should keep your child’s baby teeth after they have been shed. 

3 Perks of Saving Your Kid’s Baby Teeth

1. Treat Future Health Problems

Milk teeth contain stem cells that can actually be used to treat your child if they become ill later in life. While it’s still a developing science, researchers have already used stem cells collected from baby teeth to treat medical conditions like childhood cancers, diabetes, nerve damage, and even complex heart conditions.

Since stem cells are undeveloped cells that can transform into desired cell types, saving your child’s baby teeth could make them a candidate for new, effective treatments down the road. Parents can even take advantage of tooth banking services to protect the cells inside the pulp, taking the stress out of keeping track of something so tiny. 

2. Give Kids Sentimental Keepsakes 

As children grow up, they may become curious about their life as a little kid. Hanging onto their baby teeth gives them a way to connect with their past, and there are many neat ways to display milk teeth.

From cute tooth-shaped containers to creating jewelry with the tooth, you can gift your child a truly sentimental and personalized piece of their history. 

3. Help Dentists Track Dental History

Dentists may also find it helpful for parents to save their children’s shed baby teeth, since those pearly whites lend some important clues about your little one’s overall dental health. Your dentist may want to inspect the tooth for cavities, irregular growth patterns, or even foreign formations to spot issues with your kid’s brushing habits or oral health. 

If you have any questions about saving your child’s teeth, turn to Main Street Dental in La Crosse County, WI. For more than 30 years, Dr. Dan Kujak has been offering comprehensive and compassionate care to entire families. From applying dental sealants to treating advanced gum disease, this professional can help your entire family enjoy more comfortable, beautiful smiles. Learn more about his services on his website or call (608) 784-4063.