Baby teeth can sometimes be referred to as deciduous, primary or milk teeth. We often get questions about parents worried about baby teeth that have come out too early or have been retained for too long – so we’re here to with a guide of why they’re there, what to look for, when to look for it
Why do we need baby teeth?
Although baby teeth are eventually replaced after exfoliation, it is very important to look after them as they serve several roles for kids.
- To use for eating a healthy nutritious diet
Having a healthy functioning baby teeth allows for great habits in chewing and eating
- To act as a space saver for a straighter adult smile
A deciduous tooth will hold the necessary space for the adult tooth that will replace in. Each tooth also acts as a guide to help the adult tooth erupt into the right position. This is why losing teeth early through decay or trauma can sometimes lead to a lack of space and adult teeth erupting beyond their normal position
When should I expect teeth to fall out?
We get many questions and concerns about teeth that have seemingly held on forever or teeth that have exfoliated very early – especially when compared to classmates or siblings. The above chart can aid in knowing what is normal but also keep in mind there is natural variation amongst individual kids. What is also very importance is the sequence at which teeth are lost, as teeth exfoliating out of order can sometimes mean that an adult tooth is missing
Other important things to remember about deciduous teeth include:
- The enamel shell of baby teeth is thinner than adult teeth. Therefore it does not take long before a small hole to become large and painful.
- Missing teeth is a generic trait – so it follows that if missing teeth are in the family, early diagnosis can open up more treatment options
- Regular check-ups are very important in preventing small problems becoming more serious and in helping kids get used to easy dental appointments.
Please contact us on 3878 3889 or click here to ask online if you have any questions or would like to make an appointment to see the friendly team at Polished Dental!
