Why fix baby teeth?
The primary (baby) teeth are important for eating, the proper chewing and swallowing of food, and good speech. Proper care of the primary teeth also keep your child's smile beautiful. Decay on primary teeth can progress quickly, as they are small and have a thin layer of the enamel, the harder more cavity resistant part of the tooth. The front upper and lower primary teeth fall out at about six years old. The back teeth, three in each quarter, fall out at about twelve years of age. If there is decay on primary teeth that will be in the mouth for a reasonable amount of time, they should be restored. Decay can progress into the nerve of a primary tooth in 12 months or less. This can cause pain and may even cause the teeth to become infected. An infected primary tooth needs either a nerve treatment or to be removed. If a tooth is removed a space maintainer is placed to prevent tooth shifting (see Space Maintainers). Also decay between the teeth will make the tooth narrower as the tooth breaks down, and will allow the teeth to drift together losing space for the permanent teeth. A few millimeters of tooth loss early can occur and may cause additional crowding of the permanent teeth as they erupt. The proper oral hygiene and preventive care in the dental office and at home will go a long way in keeping your child's smile intact and beautiful.© The Center for Pediatric Dental Care
Center for Pediatric Dental Care * 1560 Beacon Street * Brookline, MA 02446 * 617-731-KIDS (5437)
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