Primary teeth serve as the precursor to the permanent teeth. They are a sort of “blueprint” for the teeth that will come after them. If a child has good primary teeth, he will most likely have good permanent teeth. They also permit the child to chew food properly, allow for clear enunciation and speech, and provide for a healthy smile that promotes self esteem. It is very important that primary teeth are kept until they are lost naturally. If primary teeth are lost too early, a “space maintainer” may be necessary to ensure that there is enough space for the permanent teeth when they erupt, otherwise it may cause the problem of crowded permanent teeth. Thus, it is essential to maintain your child’s mouth in good health to avoid the need for extraction of the deciduous teeth.