As parents, it can be easy to consider baby teeth as not all that important since they go away eventually. Baby teeth are important to your child’s health and developmental well-being. Taking care of these tiny teeth from the start will ensure lifelong smiles without dental problems. If you need assistance in taking care of your child’s oral health, pediatric dentistry in Leduc can assist in understanding what is important and why.
What do Baby Teeth do?
Baby teeth are temporary. They perform a lot of functions while they are present:
- Helps with Chewing and Speaking: Healthy teeth serve as a correct, healthy way to eat and pronounce words properly.
- Guide Adult Teeth into Position: Baby teeth hold empty places for adult teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, neighbouring teeth can shift into these spaces, and permanent teeth can come in and even align incorrectly.
- Support Jaw Growth: Teeth, as they develop, help the bones in the face and jaws grow.
- Instill Early Childhood Habits: Children who care for their baby teeth generally learn to clean and care for their teeth as well as take regular trips to a dentist.
What Happens If Baby Teeth Get Cavities?
- First teeth will start coming in between 6-12 months of age.
- By the age of 3, all 20 baby teeth will erupt.
- Baby teeth start falling out after age 6, and by age 12, the baby teeth should all be replaced by adult teeth.
These teeth stick around for many years. Therefore, caring for them is just as important as caring for adult teeth.
What Happens if Baby Teeth Have Decay?
Cavities can happen to any individual at any age, even toddlers! If dental decay in newborns is not addressed, it may lead to:
- Pain and infection
- Lacerations
- Eating and sleeping problems
- Loss of teeth too soon affects spacing and future alignment.
- Delayed speech, articulation, or pronunciation delays
Scheduling regular dental checkups for your child with a dentist in Leduc ensures problems can be caught early and decay is prevented before it happens.
Why is it Important to Start Dental Visits Early?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends that your child see a dentist within six months of their first tooth or by their first birthday. Here’s why:
- Builds comfort with dental visits
- Helps parents learn proper care techniques
- Prevents future dental problems through early education
- Allows for monitoring of growth, alignment, and development
Why Baby Teeth Are Important: Quick Facts Table
| Function | Why It Matters |
| Chewing | Helps children eat and digest food |
| Speech | Supports proper word formation |
| Space Holders | Keep space for future adult teeth |
| Jaw Development | Guides facial and jaw growth |
| Healthy Habits | Encourages brushing, flossing, and care |
What Can Parents Do to Keep Baby Teeth Healthy?
Here are some simple but powerful steps:
- Every two hours, clean your teeth with a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily, once two teeth touch.
- Limit sugary snacks and drinks.
- To wash food particles, encourage drinking water after meals.
- Visit regular checkups with a trusted dentist.
Good habits at home, along with regular visits to your local family dental care provider, make a big difference.
When Should You Call a Dentist?
If your child has any of the following, make an appointment with a trusted provider of family dental care in Leduc:
- Persistent bad breath
- Tooth pain or sensitivity
- White, brown, or black spots on teeth
- Swollen or bleeding gums
- Delayed appearance of baby teeth
Don’t wait for pain to act—it’s always better to be safe and have peace of mind.
Your Partner in Healthy Smiles—Suntree Dental
At Suntree Dental, we’re proud to support families with dependable and friendly dental care.
We know that safeguarding baby teeth is critical, as we want to help set kids up for a lifetime of health. We are there from the first tooth through the teenage years, helping kids at every step.
Sometimes you need a trusted team of dentists that serve Leduc to keep your child’s smile bright, strong, and healthy. Call us and schedule your first appointment today, and continue to build a confident, happy experience at the dentist’s clinic.
Make the call to Suntree Dental and give your child the gift of a healthy smile!
FAQs:
When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?
Hopefully, as soon as the first tooth erupts! When brushing baby teeth, you can use a soft-bristle toothbrush and a small smear (the size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste.
How often should my child go to the dentist?
We recommend every six months. Regular dental checkups allow them to catch developing issues early and ensure that they are comfortable going to the dentist.
What do I do if my child is scared to go to the dentist?
Positive talk about going to the dentist is important. Maybe read your child a book about going to the dentist, or even watch a fun kids’ dentist video. A kid-friendly clinic environment may help enhance comfort and establish trust.
Can adult teeth be affected when baby teeth have caries?
Yes! An infected cavity or premature tooth loss affects the way adult teeth will develop. That’s one of the reasons why baby teeth can be just as important as adult teeth!
