Why are Primary Teeth (baby teeth) important?

• They help a child learn to speak properly • Healthy primary teeth help build a child’s self-esteem • These teeth make sure there is enough room for permanent teeth Primary teeth are important for eating and good nutrition in children. Tooth Decay/Early Childhood Caries Cavities are caused by bacteria that live on the sugar in your child’s mouth. The bacteria cause a sticky substance called plaque to form on teeth. The plaque creates acid that eats away the hard outer coating on teeth, forming a hole (called a cavity). Early childhood caries (cavities) is a serious form of tooth decay. It is caused by the frequent and long exposure of an infant’s teeth to liquids that contain sugar (milk, formula, fruit juice, and other sweet drinks). Bacteria that cause cavities can also be passed from parent to child by sharing eating utensils. ... more

It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturally. Most children will have their baby molars until they are 12 years-of-age! These teeth serve a number of critical functions. Primary teeth: 1. Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly. 2. Are involved in speech development. 3. Help the permanent teeth by saving space for them and "guiding" them into their correct position. A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others. As with permanent teeth, baby teeth can become decayed or infected. Typically this decay process happens more rapidly in baby teeth. Infections are painful and can lead to facial swellings, which may effect the development of the permanent teeth and put your child's health at risk. Getting an early start in regular dental care is an important step on the road to teaching your child healthy lifetime habits. ... more

Primary teeth are as important as permanent teeth - for chewing, speaking and appearance. They also "hold" space in the jaws for the permanent teeth. ... more

It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are \lost naturally. These teeth serve a number of critical functions. They maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly, are involved in speech development, and help the permanent teeth by saving space for them. ... more