Baby Teeth Matter We have heard this expression so many times, usually when someone is telling us a story at a party somewhere. The story begins with someone's child not wanting to brush their teeth for three months because they're afraid of a toothbrush. Alternatively, someone's child sucking on a bottle throughout the night. Somebody else's child accidentally knocked one of their teeth out running into a pole with their hood over their face (yes, that happened). At the end of all of these stories is the same line, "it is ok, it was just his/her baby tooth, so it is fine."We are here to tell you, baby teeth matter. A lot. Not sure what we mean? Keep reading so Jacobsen Pediatric Dentistry can talk to you about why baby teeth matter. What Are Baby Teeth?Baby teeth (also called primary teeth) are already in your baby's mouth when they are born - you just can't see them. The first teeth can appear in a baby's mouth by the time they are six months old. Some children do not get their first teeth until after they turn one. Most children have all of their baby teeth by the time they are three. Although every child is different, most children get their top front and front bottom teeth first. The teeth then continue to erupt until they reach the back of the child's mouth. A full set of baby teeth stops at 20 teeth. Why Are Baby Teeth Important?Many adults think that baby teeth don't matter. That's because as a child heads toward adolescence, baby teeth begin to fall out and make room for 32 adult teeth. Adult teeth are bigger and stronger than baby teeth. Because the teeth fall out, they are not that important, right? Not exactly. Baby teeth are more important than you think. There are several reasons why you need to protect and care for baby teeth until they are ready to fall out. First, baby teeth help your child's mouth work the way it is supposed to. Baby teeth help children chew up their food to swallow. They allow children to speak more clearly. They also allow children to flash those beautiful bright smiles at you that melt your heart. The Most Important Function of Baby TeethPerhaps the most important function of baby teeth is as a placeholder. Baby teeth are in the jaw to make sure that there is a space for the adult or permanent teeth to fit. These teeth, just like baby teeth, are growing underneath the gums. When a baby tooth is lost before it is time due to damage or decay, adult teeth may drift into the space and crowd it. Adult teeth that are supposed to be in the space might not be able to erupt properly. This means that your child could have teeth that come in crooked or are too crowded. Over time, this could lead to more dental work for your child, and time in braces or other restorative work. If you are not sure how to care for your child's teeth, we'd love to help! Give Jacobsen Pediatric Dentistry a call at (971) 459-2431. Let us make you an appointment so that we can show you the best way to keep your child's teeth strong and healthy! |
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