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Baby Teeth May Not Be Permanent, But They're Not Disposable
Certainly, baby teeth aren't permanent. But that doesn't undermine their significance. Typically, children sprout their first baby tooth around their first birthday, and they don't part with their final baby tooth until they reach the age of 12 or 13.
This implies that for over a decade, your child's baby teeth will be instrumental in enabling them to chew, consume food, and articulate words. Preserving their radiant smile is crucial for their dental health, overall health, and happiness.
Even though your child won't retain their baby teeth forever, these teeth play a vital role in their oral structure. If a tooth suffers damage due to decay, dental trauma, or any other oral health issue, it's essential to seek assistance from a seasoned pediatric dentist like Dr. Kasey Stark at Kids Tooth Team.
Offering treatments such as dental fillings and crowns for damaged teeth, and space maintainers for lost teeth, Dr. Kasey can rejuvenate your child's smile, alleviate their discomfort, and ensure their teeth remain healthy as they continue to grow.
4 Reasons Why Dental Work Is Essential For Baby Teeth
Why is it crucial to address decayed or damaged baby teeth with dental procedures? Here are a few compelling reasons to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kasey at Kids Tooth Team for your child's filling or any other essential dental restoration.
- Alleviates pain and discomfort – It goes without saying that a severe cavity or an infected tooth can cause immense pain. For young children, dealing with this pain can be extremely difficult, and without timely treatment, the discomfort will only escalate. Scheduling necessary dental care in Michigan is crucial for maintaining your child's oral comfort.
- Averts additional complications – The quicker your child receives treatment for a decayed or damaged tooth, the more favorable the results are likely to be. For instance, a prompt filling can prevent the necessity for more comprehensive treatment like a root canal and a dental crown later on.
- Facilitates normal speaking and chewing – Unhealthy baby teeth, pain, or premature loss of baby teeth can interfere with your child's ability to chew properly. This could potentially hinder their nutritional intake during their growing years.
Teeth play a significant role in speech development too. Damaged or lost teeth can lead to speech impediments, which may pose greater challenges to rectify later in life.
- Promotes the proper growth of adult teeth – Baby teeth serve more functions than just aiding your child in eating and speaking. They are fundamentally important for guiding the growth of your child’s adult teeth.
Baby teeth create the “pathways” that adult teeth follow when they start to emerge. If your child’s baby teeth are unhealthy or if they lose many baby teeth prematurely, this can cause issues with their oral development.
Recognizing The Signs That Something’s Wrong With Your Child’s Teeth
Are you wondering if your child might need dental attention? Here are a few common signs that your child may need to see a dentist for their baby teeth.
- Tooth discoloration – Baby teeth ought to be bright white. If you notice brown, gray, or dark stains and spots on your child's teeth, it could be an indication of unhealthy, decayed, or damaged teeth. Don't hesitate to see a dentist immediately.
- Swollen or discolored gums – Along with tooth discoloration, discoloration and swelling in the gums near the affected tooth are another sign of dental issues. For instance, an infected tooth may cause the neighboring gum tissue to become red, swollen, and inflamed.
- Visible damage to the tooth – If you see visible chips, pits, or holes in your child's teeth, it's a clear sign of dental trauma or tooth decay. Such teeth need to be treated and repaired with a filling or a dental crown.
- Tenderness, pain, and discomfort – Pain is the body's way of alerting you to a problem. If your child complains of tooth pain or sensitivity, it's usually a signal that something is amiss with their tooth.
It's crucial to note that oral health issues don't always manifest as pain. That's why it's vital to monitor your child's oral health and ensure they see a dentist every six months for preventive care. During these appointments, Dr. Kasey can perform oral exams and take x-rays to detect any oral health issues that might not be causing your child any pain or discomfort.
Worried About Your Child’s Baby Teeth? Get Help From Kids Tooth Team
If you suspect that there's an issue with your child's baby teeth, Dr. Kasey and our team are ready to assist. At Kids Tooth Team, we take pride in providing families throughout the Lake Orion and wider Michigan area with professional dental care.Whether your child has a damaged tooth, has lost a baby tooth prematurely, or you're simply seeking preventive care to preserve their perfect smile, our team is at your service. We're continuously welcoming new patients. So don't delay. Assert control over your child's dental health. Dial us up at (248) 422-0555 to book an appointment today, or don't hesitate to reach out to us online if you have any queries.
