Yes, yes, yes!
There is a misconception about milk teeth being UNIMPORTANT for care and maintenance as they are considered “just teeth which will fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth anyway.”
But milk teeth actually serve key roles in not just oral health but also the holistic health of the child.
“SPACE SAVER MILK TEETH”: Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth that will eventually be coming in. Hence they assist in proper growth of the jaw. Milk teeth give the face its shape and form. If the baby tooth is lost early due to tooth decay, the adjacent teeth tend to drift or tip into that space. Therefore, the permanent tooth has less room to come in and can be blocked from erupting into that space.
HEALTHY PERMANENT TEETH: The permanent teeth develop very close to the roots of the baby teeth. Baby teeth are much smaller and cavities can spread very quickly through their thin enamel. If cavities are left untreated, the baby tooth can develop and infection or abscess which can hinder tooth development and cause damage to the permanent tooth underneath.
SPEECH AND SOUNDS: Milk teeth help in the development of speech. The tongue produces certain sounds with the presence of (primary) teeth. Children have difficulty in learning to pronounce the sounds like “th” and “f” in the absence of their front teeth. Without healthy, properly-aligned teeth, the child may face problems of articulating words and clear speech.
SMILE, CONCENTRATION AND SELF-ESTEEM: Children need their teeth to smile. The stigma of blackened teeth and bad breath can lead to serious teasing at school and at play, which could affect the child’s psychosocial development. If a child is having dental pain, it can greatly affect their ability to pay attention and learn in school. This can also lead to children missing school and parents having to miss work if they have to take children into the dentist for emergency appointments.
MICROFLORA: Bacteria in your child’s mouth can affect their overall health. Cavity causing bacteria reflect poorly on a child’s overall health.
EATING: Milk teeth help children to chew and grind their food properly, which in turn allows good nutritious foods to be included in their diet such as nuts, fruits, vegetables and grains. When a child’s dental issues are ignored, it can lead to pain, infection and swelling further compromising development and growth of the permanent teeth as well as the jaws. Children also are unable to eat during long phases of infection. This, in turn, could lead to malnourishment, ultimately affecting their growth.
Negligence towards the care of baby teeth can lead to serious problems affecting not only their dental health but also general health.
BOTTOMLINE is healthy habits go a long way to keeping even the permanent teeth healthy for life!