We are asked this question a lot. Why should I have baby teeth fixed if they are just going to fall out anyway?
We thought we’d devote this weeks post to answering this important question. There are some very good reasons to make sure baby teeth stay as healthy as possible!
Baby Teeth are Important Too
Addressing your child’s tooth decay early, will be less painful and less costly in the long run.
Depending on your child’s tooth eruption pattern, he or she may not lose their last baby teeth until they are 12 years old. This is a long time for decay to progress, if you are waiting for permanent teeth to come in.
When decay goes unaddressed in baby teeth, painful infections, difficulty eating, and increased incidence of decay in permanent teeth will result.
Primary teeth also retain the space for permanent teeth to grow into. If this space is compromised, it may affect your child’s need for orthodontic services in the years to come.
Orthodontic work is expensive and not always necessary on every child. So, let’s not chance it – taking care of your child’s mouth from day one is a great way to promote their healthy smile for the rest of their lives and possibly avoid braces.
Teeth are Living Things
Blood flows through the pulp of our teeth, and an infection flows through your bloodstream. An unattended infection in the teeth, even the baby teeth, can lead to an abscess. Even small infections can affect the body in big ways.
An infection can lead to swelling which may impair breathing. Even small infections can cause a fever, loss of appetite, and missed days of school. No parent wants that!
Pediatric dentistry is our business and we promise to take great and very gentle care of your children’s mouths. If there are any questions we can answer, please ask!
A Healthy Mouth is a Happy Mouth!
~Dr. Duffy
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