As a parent, nothing means more to you than making sure your child has a healthy smile in the future. You can’t help but wonder why it’s so important to keep up with your son or daughter’s oral health at such a young age if their teeth are just going to fall out anyway. The truth is that your child’s baby teeth are very important to their development and should be taken care of in preparation for their adult teeth to grow in. Taking your child to the dentist at an early age can ensure that their smile is bright and healthy for years to come. Your pediatric dentist in Hillsboro explains 5 reasons why baby teeth are so important below.
Speech Development
In order to create sounds, your tongue, lips, cheeks, and teeth all have to work together. Properly positioned baby teeth make it possible for your child to pronounce certain words correctly. Their teeth also provide a stable support system for their oral muscles and tissues to develop around. These can affect your son or daughter’s facial shape as well.
Self-Esteem
If your child’s temporary teeth aren’t properly cared for, they could suffer from dental decay. This can have a huge impact on their self-esteem, confidence, and how they interact with other kids. Oftentimes, decay could result in pain as well, making it difficult for them to concentrate in school. Oral problems could mean they would need to miss school for trips to the emergency dentist.
Permanent Tooth Alignment
Primary teeth act as space-savers for when their adult teeth begin to appear. If they lose their temporary teeth too early due to decay, it could cause their surrounding teeth to reposition in order to fill the space of the missing one. This gives their permanent teeth less room to grow in and can cause their smile to become crooked and skewed.
A Healthy Future Smile
Your child’s permanent teeth develop near the roots of their temporary ones. If they experience dental decay or cavities, they can spread through their enamel to their permanent teeth. When cavities are left untreated, it could lead to infection or dental abscesses affecting their adult teeth.
Maintaining Proper Health
One of the most important functions of teeth is chewing. If your child experiences pain or discomfort due to dental decay and cavities, it can affect their nutrition and prevent them from being able to properly chew. Untreated cavities can also lead to infections, which can easily spread throughout their body, creating a dangerous emergency.
The ADA recommends taking your child for their first dental visit before they turn 1 or within six months of their first tooth appearing. Your children’s dentist in Hillsboro can protect them from tooth decay and provide them with the treatment they need to have a bright and healthy smile as an adult.
About the Practice
At the Dentists at Orenco For Kids, we offer the services of 5 professionals, 3 of whom are specially trained pediatric dentists to provide your child with the best care. We take pride in creating a caring and attentive environment where your child can learn about their oral health. With years of collective knowledge and experience, you’re sure to feel in good hands with us! For any questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning for your child, visit our website or contact 503-640-6565.