Baby teeth (primary teeth) are vital—they help your child chew, speak clearly, and maintain space for permanent teeth. Early decay or loss can lead to misalignment and more complex issues later. Teeth naturally close up missing gaps, and with some adult teeth not due to appear till 12 years old, not having spaces maintained by the baby teeth will cause crowding.
Furthermore, decayed or infected baby teeth may cause your child pain, or lead to complex dental treatments at a young age, which may worsen dental anxiety, and translate to dental trauma and avoidance later in life. Frequent dental visits are important to detect problems early, and is also an opportunity to educate an individual on preventative techniques. Research has consistently demonstrated that dental avoidance leads to greater dental problems, increased dental anxiety, increased likelihood of dental emergencies or hospital presentations, and increased overall medical costs.
Still unsure about your child's teeth? Discuss with one of our friendly dentists today!