You love to see your child smile. It’s the best part of your day, and it warms your heart. But parenting is full of challenges, including getting them to do simple things on their own like brush their teeth. Sometimes you have to pick your battles and let certain things slide. Their baby teeth are going to come out anyway, are they really worth the time and effort to keep healthy? In fact, those little baby teeth are very important for your child’s oral and overall well-being. Check out these 4 good reasons from your pediatric dentist to make taking care of your child’s baby teeth one of your priorities.
Your child uses their baby teeth.
Think about it. Your child needs their teeth to bite, chew, and speak clearly. If their teeth are lost or extracted too early, it could lead to developmental problems, delays in speech, and digestion issues from insufficient chewing. Although your child will eventually lose their baby teeth, they are using them in the meantime. You might as well make sure they serve your child well!
Baby teeth are placeholders for permanent teeth.
Permanent teeth use the location of the baby teeth to guide where they grow in. Losing baby teeth too far in advance could allow the permanent teeth to wander and grow in crooked or overcrowded, causing more severe orthodontic issues for your child than they otherwise would experience. To help your child’s permanent teeth have the best chances of growing in correctly, you need to ensure that their baby teeth are healthy and cared for.
Children suffer when they get cavities.
Studies have shown that children with poor oral health earn lower grades than those with good oral health. That is likely because cavities can inflict pain or infections on your child, influencing how they eat, play, speak, and learn and even how they feel about themselves. Millions of school hours a year are lost for children because of oral problems. Ensuring that your child has healthy teeth can set them on the right path for their learning and overall well-being.
Teaching your child early about oral care is important.
It’s never too early to teach your child about the importance of their oral health. After their first teeth come in, you should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. As soon as they turn one year old, they should see a dentist for toddlers twice a year for checkups and cleanings. But why is it so important to start this early? Most children thrive with structure and consistency. If you begin these practices while your child is young, they will come to expect these routines and will be less likely to fight them down the road. They are also more likely to continue them into adulthood, helping them preserve their smiles for many years to come.
In the end, your child’s smile is worth protecting, even if it will change from baby to adult teeth over time. This February, which is National Children’s Dental Health Month, take the opportunity to review how well you are teaching your child about the importance of their oral hygiene. As you take the necessary steps to care for your child’s teeth, you can help set them up for dental success in the future, ensuring that their smile can stay happy and healthy.
About the Practice
Shiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is all about making visits to the dentist as comfortable and pleasant as possible for children. Dr. Lily and the staff have years of experience helping kids from infants to teens, including those with special needs, with both treating and preventing dental problems. To schedule an appointment, you can call (469) 925-0861 or click here.