Our patients always ask us: “Do baby teeth matter?” At Rise and Shine Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that taking great care of baby teeth sets the stage for a lifetime of oral health in the permanent dentition! Most children have 20 teeth by the time they are 3 years old, and they will begin to transition to permanent front teeth around 6 years old. The back baby teeth often do not fall out until at least 10 or 11 years old, and sometimes even later. It is important to maintain them in a healthy way for several reasons.
Importance of baby teeth
Baby teeth serve an important functional role in allowing your child maintain a strong bite that supports healthy breathing, speaking, and chewing food. They also save space for the permanent teeth that will eventually replace them. If a child loses a baby molar before it is ready to fall out on its own, teeth often shift around and close space so that a permanent tooth is not able to erupt into its proper position. When baby teeth are lost prematurely due to cavities, infection, or trauma, the eruption of the permanent tooth is often delayed in this area.
Impact on permanent teeth
If baby teeth are unhealthy, this can impact the permanent teeth as well. Infection in a baby tooth is typically located near the developing permanent tooth and can cause the permanent tooth to become rough or discolored. When children acquire cavity causing bacteria at a young age, this can put them at risk for developing cavities on permanent teeth as well. Dr. Sarah Villasenor and the team at Rise and Shine Pediatric Dentistry can guide you and your child towards healthy habits with baby teeth that set the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles! We recommend your first visit around the first tooth eruption or your baby’s first birthday. Call 303-758-0223 or request an appointment today!