You might wonder if your little one’s baby teeth really need the same level of attention and care as their permanent teeth. The answer is, absolutely yes! Baby teeth play an important role in your child’s future oral health. This makes infant dental care in Apple Valley essential to your growing baby’s needs.
Baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) serve as placeholders for permanent teeth and function to guide them into the right position. A baby’s temporary teeth not only serve as guides for their permanent teeth, but they also have to be functional for 6 or 7 years, until they fall out. Healthy baby teeth also support speech development and children’s ability to chew food. In other words, they may be temporary, but they are very important!
Why Early Tooth Decay is Harmful
When tooth decay takes root in a baby’s mouth, it can cause serious complications for their permanent teeth, along with pain and discomfort. Untreated cavities may lead to infection that can spread throughout the mouth or body. Severe decay can even lead to early extractions, which disrupts natural tooth development and may cause spacing issues that require future orthodontic treatment. Decay-related issues can also make eating and sleeping difficult for infants.
Prevention is Key
Preventive dental care in Apple Valley can be practiced on a daily basis by parents. This might include daily brushing, limiting sugar intake, and scheduling regular dental visits starting at age one. At Carousel Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we love helping parents and infants establish healthy oral habits that protect baby teeth throughout the all-important developmental years.