We grow our first primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, in infancy. Around the age of five or six, we start to lose baby teeth, and permanent adult teeth grow into place.
Because baby teeth fall out, you might wonder if caring for these primary teeth is important. The answer is yes. Maintenance of baby teeth can play a major role in the oral health of pediatric dental patients for the rest of their lives.
You can feel more inclined to seek regular dental services for your child when you know more about them. Read on to learn details about the importance of routine care for baby teeth that should continue into adulthood.
Seek Preventative Pediatric Dentistry Services
As soon as they burst through the gums, baby teeth will require regular maintenance. This means practicing good oral hygiene like brushing the teeth twice per day and flossing daily. While this at-home care for the teeth is important, a child must also visit the dentist regularly.
Usually, the average dental patient of any age should see their dentist for routine care at least twice per year. This ensures a dentist can remove harmful plaque and tartar build-up that would otherwise hurt your smile in a timely fashion. The dentist can also diagnose oral health issues and offer swift treatment before the smile endures lasting damage.
This care is important for baby teeth as well as adult teeth. Baby teeth are just as likely to develop decay as permanent teeth. And while young patients lose baby teeth eventually, untreated tooth decay can cause significant and lasting dental damage.
Risks of Untreated Cavities in Primary Teeth
Tooth decay develops when natural oral bacteria penetrate weak spots in the teeth and begin to deteriorate the dental structure. It can form in both primary and permanent teeth. When decay eats a hole into the tooth’s surface, dentists refer to the issue as a cavity.
While common and fairly easily treated, you should seek prompt treatment for a cavity. Decay can spread and penetrate deeper into the tooth. This leaves the tooth vulnerable to infections within the tooth’s pulp along with other dental concerns.
This can impact the health of underlying adult teeth as well. The teeth could grow into place crooked or weak, meaning the patient will require further dental work later in life.
Plus, advanced tooth decay can feel painful and uncomfortable for the child. They may alter their eating habits which can lead to lasting harmful oral behaviors that will further influence their oral health.
So make sure you seek treatment for a cavity in your child’s smile as soon as you can. Attending regular dental appointments will keep teeth strong enough to resist decay. And it also allows the dentist to identify cavities early and provide prompt treatment for them. Learn more about effective preventative care for your child by calling a pediatric dentist today.