Have you wondered why taking your little one to see a children’s dentist is so important if their teeth are just going to fall out anyways? Even if you brush and floss their teeth at home, professional examinations are a necessary part of your child’s healthy development. Read on to learn five ways that your child’s temporary teeth contribute to their overall wellbeing and growth.
Guiding Permanent Tooth Alignment
The positioning of your child’s primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, allows their permanent ones to grow in aligned and in into their proper positions. When growing teeth become lost too soon due to oral health problems like decay or infection, it can result in their adult teeth growing in crooked, crowded, and misaligned, which can result in them needing orthodontic intervention at a young age. This is because once their baby tooth goes missing too soon, their remaining ones will drift out of place to occupy that gap. Then, when their adult teeth begin to grow in, they’re going to have to accommodate the new positioning of their temporary teeth, which can cause them to have less room to grow in.
Healthy Adult Teeth
Temporary teeth are small, and their enamel is thin, which means that they’re more likely to get cavities and infections. The most dangerous part about this is that their adult teeth lie just beneath the surface of their gums and the roots of their baby teeth. This means that a simple untreated cavity can easily transfer to those teeth, causing them to grow in damaged and unhealthy.
Good Nutrition & Health
As your child chews their food, they break it down, allowing their body to process key vitamins and minerals that are needed in order for them to grow and be healthy. Dental pain from oral health problems can keep them from properly chewing their food and receiving the nutrition they need for their overall development.
Speech & Facial Development
When everyone first begins learning how to speak, they work hard to learn how their tongue, lips, cheeks, and teeth work together to form certain sounds for words. That’s why it’s necessary to have baby teeth that are properly positioned to make this process easier. Children’s teeth also support their features, giving them their unique facial structure.
Improved Concentration & Confidence
Whether you’re an adult or a child, having missing teeth can be embarrassing, especially if their friends’ teeth are healthy and intact. This can cause them to become hesitant to enter social situations and make it difficult to make friends because they’re embarrassed by their unhealthy grin. Additionally, having cavities or oral health problems early on can cause them discomfort, which can keep them from being able to pay attention in class.
Taking your little one to see their children’s dentist sooner rather than later can get them used to taking care of their teeth and gums early on. That way, they’re equipped with the knowledge and tools they need to help their pearly whites stay happy and healthy until they naturally fall out on their own.
About the Author
Dr. Michitti is recognized as a “Top 1% Dentist” for achieving Mastership status in the Academy of General Dentistry. He enjoys treating patients of all ages and watching his younger ones grow up to have beautiful and healthy teeth. He also regularly completes continuing education courses, which allow him to sharpen his skills and provide high-quality dental care to his patients. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning to make sure your child’s baby teeth are healthy, visit Lifetime Dental’s website or call 413-786-4400.