Do Baby Teeth Matter? Downtown Oregon City
Oregon City, OR
 When it comes to caring for your new child, every stage of development is vital because it serves as the building block for future stages of growth. This is especially true when it comes to keeping your child's baby teeth healthy and preventing premature tooth loss. Here at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City, our skilled professionals can guide you on the journey to providing the very best in dental care for your child.
Our team strives to offer a welcoming environment that makes receiving dental care enjoyable. Having your child's teeth looked at in a dental exam and professionally cleaned and cared for early in their life and on an ongoing basis can mean the difference between them staying on track or needing potentially costly restorative treatments.
When Should My Child First See a Pediatric Dentist?
As a general rule, your child should first see a pediatric dentist within six months of sprouting their first tooth or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This first visit is primarily to allow our professionals to inspect your child's oral cavity and to clean any teeth that they may have. It is also a great way of introducing them to the dentist early in their life and beginning to develop a positive outlook on dental care.
If your child has already passed this important window, there is no need to worry. Getting them in to see our team as soon as possible is a great way of getting them back on track. Not only does our dental staff take great care of their baby teeth, but they can also provide you with feedback on how to best care for your child's teeth at home. This includes information such as which toothpaste and toothbrush are best for your child's baby teeth and how often they should be brushed.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
Like many other parents, you may be asking yourself why baby teeth are so important, especially since your child will lose them eventually anyway. While it is true that your child will begin losing their baby teeth at around eight to 10 years old, they play a key role in several developmental processes.
Your child needs their teeth to adequately chew their food. A lack of teeth can result in digestive issues that result from improper eating. Teeth are also important for the development of speech patterns. Early tooth loss can create delays that require corrective speech therapy for your child.
In addition, losing teeth early from decay or damage can make it necessary for your child to receive a space maintainer or other treatments. That is because baby teeth help to guide your child's adult teeth into place and aid them in developing at the proper angles. Without baby teeth or an artificial space maintainer, overcrowding and alignment issues can occur.
When it comes to your child's oral health, baby teeth matter, which is why it is important to get them started on the journey to a lifetime of good oral health at a young age. If you would like more information or need a skilled pediatric dental team, our professionals at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City can help. You can schedule your child's appointment by calling our office at 971-470-0045 today. |
