Children’s Teeth
Deciduous teeth, primary teeth or baby teeth as they are more commonly
known are just as important as the permanent teeth we grow up to have.
Many parents think that they do not need to be concerned about their
child’s baby teeth as it’s only the permanent ones that matter. However,
primary teeth which are missing, broken or filled with decay can lead
to an array of serious problems for the secondary teeth which are
preparing to come through.
Baby teeth serve significant functions including:-
• Helping children chew healthy foods, therefore providing nutrition
• Assisting in the normal development of jaw bones and facial muscles
• Helping to make speech possible
• Adding to an attractive appearance
• Reserving space for the permanent teeth and helping to guide them into the correct position
Although some deciduous teeth only last for five or six years, the back
baby teeth are there for a bit longer, usually until the child is 11 or
12 years old. If those baby teeth are carrying decay or other dental
diseases, the root of the tooth can become infected and the infection
can then be passed on to the new teeth as they emerge.
Sometimes, additional dental work is required to make enough space for a
secondary tooth which has not erupted due to the primary tooth being
lost too soon.
Therefore, baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. Healthy
primary teeth are the foundation for a healthy set of secondary teeth.
