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The question is one asked frequently by kids and parents. “Why are baby teeth so important?” There are more than a few good reasons to keep baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) clean and healthy. Firstly, they are important to your child’s dental health both now and later. Primary teeth encourage proper growth of the jawbone and muscles and allow children to chew, therefore, maintaining proper nutrition. They are also critical for speech development. Primary teeth maintain a space for permanent teeth as they erupt. Oftentimes, primary teeth are not all lost until the child is between the ages of 11 and 14, although this time frame can vary from child to child.

Losing primary teeth too soon can result in crowding of permanent teeth. The space caused by a missing tooth can allow other teeth to shift or drift into that space, leaving nowhere for permanent teeth to erupt. This can lead to more involved orthodontic care which can be expensive as well as unnecessary.

If a primary tooth is removed too soon because of dental disease or accidental injury, your pediatric dentist may suggest a space maintainer to prevent crowding or shifting of existing teeth. These can be either metal or plastic and created to be a custom fit for your child. They are easily worn and children adapt to them very quickly.

Early dental check ups are critical in maintaining optimal dental health for your child. A regular program both at home and in the dental office can avoid unnecessary dental treatment due to dental disease. A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others. Help your child keep those baby teeth in their smile looking clean and healthy until they are ready for the Tooth Fairy!

Sealants are a plastic resin that protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These back teeth have such deep pits and crevices that the bristles of a toothbrush often can’t reach the bottom of the pits. Food and plaque build up in these areas, causing decay. That is why many children end up with cavities, even though they are brushing well. When sealants are applied, they fill in the deep pits and crevices, preventing food and plaque from entering these areas. The application of a sealant is quick and comfortable. The tooth is first cleaned then a liquid conditioner is applied with a brush. The sealant, which is in a liquid form, is then applied to the tooth. The sealant is then hardened with a curing light and bonds to the tooth. Sealants can last for many years if properly cared for. They are especially helpful during the cavity prone years, which ranges from childhood to late teens. Since sealants only protect the chewing surfaces, it is important to brush and floss daily. Good brushing and a healthy diet will result in the sealants lasting longer. After applying sealants, we recommend avoiding any sticky foods like caramel and gummy bears and not biting anything hard like ice and hard candy. These will cause the sealants to chip off and not last as long. During regular check-ups, your dentist will check the sealants for wear and can recommend repair or re-application if necessary. Sealants have been used safely and effectively for over two decades and are an excellent preventive measure.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog. Please check back often for weekly updates on fun and exciting events happening at our office, important and interesting information about dentistry and the dental industry, and the latest news about our practice.

Feel free to leave a comment or question for our doctor and staff – we hope this will be a valuable resource for our patients, their families, and friends!