If my child is going to lose his or her baby teeth, do cavities matter?
-
American Dental Association answered:Your child's baby teeth are important. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it's time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded.
Starting infants off with good oral care can help protect their teeth for decades to come.
Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulYour child's baby teeth are important. Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it... More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Even with baby teeth, cavities can cause problems. In the short term, cavities can cause your child pain and may develop into infections that can even be life-threatening. Long-term issues can also occur. Baby teeth allow room for the development of permanent (adult) teeth. Losing them early to decay can cause unwanted shifting of the teeth, and adult teeth may not erupt into their proper position. This can in turn cause problems with the bite and could cause problems with chewing or speaking properly.
Even with baby teeth, cavities can cause problems. In the short term, cavities can cause your child pain and may develop into infections that can even be life-threatening. Long-term issues can also occur. Baby teeth allow room for the development of... More -
Dr. Douglas B. Nielsen of Intermountain Healthcare answered:Cavities in baby teeth may reflect overall mouth health as well as eating habits. Soft enamel may contribute to cavities, but more likely poor eating habits of either "sticky foods", too much sugar, too much juice, or lack of proper brushing may be more causitive. The baby teeth help maintain spacing of the dental arch and proper development of the upper and lower jaws, so the decision to care for teeth is important, let alone avoiding pain and potentially serious infections.Cavities in baby teeth may reflect overall mouth health as well as eating habits. Soft enamel may contribute to cavities, but more likely poor eating habits of either "sticky foods", too much sugar, too much juice, or lack of proper brushing... More -
Dr. Mary Hayes answered:The baby teeth are the pattern for the permanent teeth:
- Early loss of baby teeth can cause a shift in the way the permanent teeth erupt later. Baby molars don't normally come out till age 11-14: that's a long time they are there to aid in the child's natural growth and development.
- Decayed baby teeth will set up the permanent teeth to also become decayed. The bacteria that cause decay start on one tooth and migrate to others. Between 6 and 14, a child has a mixed dentition: about half baby and permanent teeth. Both need to be cavity free to protect the child's smile, not to mention ability to eat without pain.
The baby teeth are the pattern for the permanent teeth: Early loss of baby teeth can cause a shift in the way the permanent teeth erupt later. Baby molars don't normally come out till age 11-14: that's a long time they are there to... More
