At Mapleridge Children and Adult Dentistry, it’s our aim to put all of our patients on the path toward a lifetime of healthy smiles. As your Liverpool, NY family dentist and dental team, this starts with a committed oral hygiene regimen and dental care toward a child’s baby teeth, including regular teeth cleanings and children’s dentistry treatments, such as sealants. Unfortunately though, many people believe that baby teeth really aren’t that important. After all, they’ll just fall out after a handful of years so what’s really the big deal of putting in so much extra time to keep them healthy? We’ll tell you why – despite the fact that baby teeth naturally fall out at a young age, they provide many different important benefits. Some of these include, but aren’t limited to, the following.
Perhaps the most important role that baby teeth will play is that they’ll act as guides for the permanent teeth. Baby teeth will hold the spots open for the permanent teeth and make sure that they erupt in the appropriate spots. When baby teeth are either knocked out or fall out early, permanent teeth can end up shifting around, which will cause a more crooked smile.
Children who have decayed baby teeth often experience dietary deficiencies. This can lead them to being malnourished or underweight. When a child has healthy baby teeth, they’ll both promote good chewing habits and help maintain great nutrition.
Sure, your child’s baby teeth won’t be around for that long, but during that time, it’s important to instill confidence in your child. Just like adults, children may feel self-conscious if their teeth are unattractive. When their teeth look nice and are taken care of, they’ll provide a healthy boost of confidence and allow for more positive social interaction.
Last, but certainly not least, taking good care of baby teeth can lead to oral health habits that last a lifetime. Severely decayed baby teeth can lead to gum disease, which can potentially erode gums and even bone. By following a strong oral hygiene regimen, your child will have a healthier mouth that’s much less likely to develop any dental or oral problems. And don’t forget – a healthy mouth also leads to a healthy body as well!
If you’re interested in bringing your child in to see your Liverpool, NY pediatric dentist for a teeth cleaning and dental exam, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us by giving us a call at (315) 453-2084. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. We’re looking forward to seeing you and putting your child on the path to a healthy, lifelong smile!
If you have questions regarding the recipes above, or to learn more about healthy foods to eat that won’t cause damage to your teeth, contact us today, and our friendly team will be happy to help. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, give us a call. Have a happy summer!