Throughout my time as a dentist, I have of course been in the unfortunate position in which I have to tell parents that their child has a cavity. While this is a conversation I find myself having often have multiple times per day, the responses from parents are just as routine.
Initially, there is always a panicked moment where Mom or Dad says “Oh no, is the cavity on an adult tooth or a baby tooth?” On the occasion where I break the news that it is, in fact, on a baby tooth – the parents inevitably breathe a sigh of relief and say “can we just wait for it to fall out?” While my answer to this is only sometimes yes (when the baby tooth will fall out soon, of which I can see on an X-ray), it always gets me wondering – when did it become so commonplace for baby teeth to be viewed as “throw away” teeth? And isn’t it our responsibility as dentists to educate parents on why baby teeth are actually critical to a child’s dental health?
While it’s true that baby teeth are temporary, they serve a much larger purpose than many realize. From space holders to speech development, here’s what I wish the general public knew about the importance of baby teeth.
What are Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth, also known as primary or deciduous teeth, are the initial set of teeth that develop in children. They begin to emerge at around 6 months of age and are retained throughout childhood until the adult teeth, also known as permanent teeth, begin to appear. This usually starts around the age of 6 years, with the lower incisors erupting first, followed by the upper incisors, and typically progressing in order through the canines, first molars, second molars, and wisdom teeth.
Baby teeth share the same basic anatomy as adult teeth and are composed of enamel, dentin, tooth roots, and a nerve and blood supply.
Key Roles of Baby Teeth
These teeth are not only just to be used as a learning opportunity to form healthy oral hygiene habits, but they play many other important functions.
1. Eating and Nutrition
It goes without saying that children’s baby teeth play a vital role in chewing and eating, and therefore are a critical component in allowing them the proper nutrition that they need to grow. Discomfort from dental pain can make it near impossible for your child to eat the nutritious foods that are essential for development.
2. Speech Development
Baby teeth are vital for proper speech development, as they help children learn to correctly pronounce sounds and words. Missing or damaged teeth can impair this process, leading to potential speech delays or difficulties in language development.
3. Jaw and Facial Structure Development
The presence of baby teeth helps facilitate proper jaw and facial growth and development. If baby teeth need to be removed prematurely due to decay, this reduces the natural stimulation of the jaw and can lead to uneven jaw growth or developmental delays.
4. Guiding Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth act as placeholders for a child’s permanent teeth by serving as a guide for their proper eruption. This allows for proper bite and alignment of the adult teeth.
5. Esthetic Appearance
Having health baby teeth allows children to smile without reservation and contributes greatly to the development of a healthy self-esteem early on.
Consequences of Neglecting Baby Teeth
Failure to care for baby teeth can lead to numerous issues in children.
1. Tooth Decay and Cavities
Just like adult teeth, baby teeth are susceptible to cavities. In fact, because of their thinner enamel layer (hard outer shell of teeth), baby teeth are much more vulnerable to decay. Not only this, but the smaller size of baby teeth allows cavities to spread more quickly to the inner layers of the teeth – the result of this being that pain and infection can set in much faster.
2. Infection and Pain
Nobody wants to see their kids in pain, and discomfort due to an infection from an untreated cavity can be a very scary experience for children. And though rare, it is possible for bacteria from tooth infections to spread to surrounding tissues and other parts of the body. In severe cases, this can lead to serious and life threatening conditions such as sepsis (systemic infection) and endocarditis (infection of the heart lining).
3. Negative Impact on Developing Permanent Teeth
Infections and abscesses in baby teeth have the potential to spread to the developing permanent tooth underneath. This disrupts the growth of the adult tooth and can lead to structural changes like weaker enamel and tooth discoloration. Additionally, a cyst or abscess can form around the developing permanent tooth and can damage the surrounding bone and tissue.
4. Orthodontic Challenges
Without all proper baby teeth acting as space holders and those ever-important guides for the adult teeth, misalignment of the permanent teeth often results. When there is premature loss of one or more of the baby teeth, the remaining teeth shift as a result. Because this is detrimental to the eventual eruption of adult teeth, children often require orthodontic space maintainers to prevent such shifting from occurring.
5. Frightening Early Life Dental Procedures
If the decay on a baby tooth progresses to the point that it needs to be removed, this procedure can be emotionally traumatic for a child, no matter how painless the actual procedure. This experience can change how a child views the dentist for the rest of their lives. While this may sound dramatic, I have heard countless childhood stories from adult patients about why they now hate and deeply fear the dentist. Consequently, these patients are the same ones that put off dental check-ups and getting the restorative care they need until whatever the issue is has become severe. This leads to more complex and invasive treatment for those individuals, ultimately furthering their negative perception of dental visits.
Best Practices for Caring for Baby Teeth
While some children are more prone to cavities and dental problems than others, there are things you can do to help mitigate their risk.
Start Early: Even before your baby’s first tooth erupts, you should clean their gums. Use a soft, damp washcloth to gently wipe their gums after feedins to remove bacteria. Once the first tooth appears, brush it daily with a soft toothbrush. Begin using a rice-sized amount of toothpaste at 18 months and begin flossing as soon as two teeth touch.
Daily Oral Hygiene: As your child grows, help them brush and floss until they are able to on their own (usually around age 7). Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste until they reach this age (6 or 7 years) and can begin using a ribbon-sized amount. Check out these tips for some tricks on getting your children to enjoy (or at the very least, tolerate) brushing.
Healthy Diet: Limit sugary snacks and drinks (sodas and sports drinks) that can cause cavities. Opt for healthier options like fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese, and yogurt, all of which provide important nutrients for healthy, strong teeth.
Regular Dental Visits: Be sure to bring your children to the dentist every 6 months so that your dentist can monitor development and tooth alignment, check for cavities and gum-disease, and catch any issues early.
Preventive Measures: Encourage the use of fluoride toothpaste to strengthen developing tooth enamel. Parents of cavity-prone children should consider sealants, if recommended by their dentist, to help protect the top surfaces of back teeth from cavities.
Final Thoughts
Baby teeth deserve just as much care as adult teeth, and taking care of them is an investment in your child’s health, both now and in the future. By prioritizing good oral hygiene from an early age, a healthy diet, and regular dental visits, you can ensure your child has a strong foundation for a lifetime of oral health.
And remember, while baby teeth may be temporary, their impact is long-lasting.
What surprised you most about why baby teeth matter? What are some challenges you’ve faced in maintaining your child’s oral hygiene?
~Dr. Lee