Even though your child will lose their baby teeth eventually, it's still important to take good care of them so the teeth are in good shape until they're ready to fall out. Baby teeth play an important role in child development and they lay the foundation for future dental health. Here's why keeping your child's baby teeth healthy is important and how a pediatric dentistry service can help.

Why Protecting Baby Teeth Is Important

If your child is allowed to sleep with a juice bottle or develops cavities due to poor oral hygiene, then they could suffer with the pain of toothaches. This not only makes them feel miserable, it can interfere with eating a healthy diet that's appropriate for their age. Plus, if your child's teeth get so bad that the dentist has to pull them or fill them, then that could be a traumatic experience for your child that will cause them to fear dental treatments as an adult.

When baby teeth are healthy and fall out on their own as permanent teeth come in, the permanent teeth have a better chance of coming in straight and healthy. If baby teeth are lost due to decay, other teeth may shift and this can cause permanent teeth to come in crooked.

How Going To A Dentist Keeps Your Child's Teeth Healthy

A pediatric dentist will teach you how to care for your child's teeth from the time your child is very young. You'll be taught how to brush their teeth and the products to use. Plus, the dentist will examine your child's teeth on a regular basis to make sure no problems are developing, and if they are, plans can be made to treat the teeth at the appropriate time. When your child sees a dentist regularly when young and has pleasant experiences, the dentist becomes someone routine and not someone to fear who's associated with pain.

When your child's a little older, the dentist might recommend sealing the teeth to help protect against decay. If your child develops a cavity, then your dentist can determine if pulling or filling it is the right choice. Your child should visit the dentist on a regular schedule starting in childhood and through the teen years so a habit is established that will last for life. Starting early with good oral care helps the permanent teeth grow in strong and healthy so your child can avoid toothaches and dental problems as an adult.

A pediatric dentist can also monitor the development of your child's teeth and jaw and advise you if braces may be needed once your child is old enough. Advanced notice can help you prepare for the expense and ensures your child has braces as soon as they're needed, so by the time they're in college or adults, they'll have an attractive smile.

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