The most common myth about baby teeth is that, they need not be treated as they will fall off and will be replaced by permanent teeth! But the fact is that baby teeth are equally important as permanent teeth and require appropriate oral care. Let’s look at some of the primary reasons why your baby’s teeth should be tended to, and what is the Importance of Baby/Primary/Milk Teeth.
- Mastication (Chewing)
Function of baby teeth is to help in chewing food and to function till the eruption of permanent teeth. If proper oral hygiene is not maintained, allowing milk tooth to decay leads to pain, discomfort and abscess. Because of this children can resist eating, affecting their overall growth
- Smile and psychology
Children upwards of age 4years, are also esthetically concerned when it comes to the appearance of teeth. Thus any discoloration of teeth is likely affect them psychologically. Milk teeth are important to maintain child’s psycho-social well-being as well. Healthy baby teeth are an immense boost to a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Facial Development
Milk teeth are an important factor affecting normal growth of jaw bone and helps in molding shape to face. They help in appropriate development of adjacent structures thus allowing enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt. Either loss or extra primary tooth affect the occlusion of future permanent teeth indirectly affecting the facial profile of an individual.
- Prevention of abnormal growth
Milk teeth are space saver holding spaces! Lets look at another important issue which is the prevention of abnormal growth of teeth and how to maintain natural space for permanent teeth. When permanent teeth are developed enough, they can erupt into the oral cavity, where the milk teeth were holding space for permanent teeth. This prevents malocclusion. Premature removal of primary teeth because of decay or ill-maintained space may cause permanent teeth to erupt in improper positions. This results in crooked teeth, chewing difficulties, facial asymmetries, TMJ problems, and last and most important, decaying of teeth.
- Speech
Milk teeth help in the development of speech, especially front teeth. Certain sounds are produced when tongue contacts the upper front teeth and certain sounds are produced when tip of upper front teeth comes in contact with lower. In absence of front teeth children find difficult to pronounce sounds like “th” and “f”. Without healthy, properly-aligned teeth, the child may face problems of articulating words and clarity in speech.
- Prevention of fear of Dentist
As long as milk teeth are healthy no painful treatment is required to save tooth from decay. Once the tooth becomes badly infected, it leaves the dentist with only extraction or pulpectomy as an option which has to be done under local anesthesia. At this stage child will be more anxious due to painful and long procedures.
So, visit the dentist as soon as the first tooth comes in the oral cavity and build the habit of visiting the dentist once in every 6 months right from childhood.
It would doubtlessly help in avoiding and reducing not only dental problems but general growth-related problems as well. Healthy milk teeth can also lower the financial burden for parents in future for complicated procedures.
Our dentists are dedicated to providing exceptional oral healthcare so that the little ones’ dental appointments will be non-traumatic and stress-free. Our Pedodontists make sure the child is comforted and ready for treatment by communicating in a kind and compassionate manner.
Call us at +91-9141160212 to book an appointment with our Pediatric dentistry Specialist.