When should I bring my child for their first appointment | The Importance of Baby Teeth | Fissure Sealants

 

The Importance of Baby Teeth

Whilst the baby teeth fall out to allow the permanent adult teeth to erupt, they are still important for future oral health and development. The baby teeth guide the growth of facial bones and ensure the permanent adult teeth come through in the correct position and alignment. Baby teeth, are also important for speech development and although these teeth will fall out naturally, premature childhood tooth loss will have a significant impact on the alignment of the adult teeth. It is for this reason that your child’s baby teeth should be cared for properly.

Proper brushing, and flossing and a healthy diet are critical to maintaining the baby teeth. The back baby molars need to last until your child is thirteen! It is important that children have parental help in brushing and flossing their teeth until they are at least eight years old. Many children (and their parents) feel their child is capable enough of performing these tasks themselves, but help from a parent or carer is critical in maintaining healthy back baby molars to adolescence.