Why Your Dentist Promotes Good Oral Health for Baby Teeth

If you haven’t added Tooth Fairy to the list of roles you play as a parent, get ready. Pretty soon, your little one will be running toward you to show you their tooth as well as the gaping hole it left behind. While this is all part of growing up, it’s important that these baby teeth that the Tooth Fairy loves so much are healthy and in good shape upon her arrival. Why? Let a dentist explain why even though these teeth will fall out someday, their condition can make a big impact on your child’s future oral health.

What’s So Important About Caring for Baby Teeth?

If you’ve ever heard the phrase, “setting the stage,” you’ll soon understand how this applies to baby teeth. Yes, these tiny parts of your child’s smile will eventually fall out as they grow older, but how well they are maintained can determine the type of permanent teeth that will emerge. How so?

Tooth decay and cavities are extremely common among children. Due to their minimal dexterity when it comes to brushing and taking care of their smile, these dental problems can rear themselves, causing you to spend lots of time and money trying to correct these issues before its too late. If your child is dealing with serious oral health concerns that are affecting their baby teeth, this can result in the following:

• Losing baby teeth too early, causing gaps to remain unfilled for too long and negatively impact bone health and nearby teeth
• Permanent teeth erupting at an awkward angle, thus, leading to an increased possibility of needing orthodontic treatment
• Tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease that carry over into adult teeth after they erupt

What Can Be Done to Encourage Good Oral Habits

No matter if your child’s smile is squeaky clean or not, the most important thing you can do as a parent is to make sure they get in to see a family dentist every six months. This not only allows your child’s dental team to examine their smile and check for any abnormalities or problem areas, but it also helps to remove any plaque and tartar build-up that can lead to gum disease.

It is also beneficial to talk to your dentist about ways to make brushing and flossing fun at home. Children often have a harder time getting excited about oral hygiene, so whether it is turning on music, engaging in an oral hygiene routine that involves the entire family, or making it a competition by setting a timer, you can find a multitude of ways to improve your child’s oral health at home.

If you’re interested in learning about new techniques or curious about products that can help keep your child’s baby teeth in the best possible shape, don’t be afraid to contact your dentist’s office for help.

About the Practice
At Stec Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we want to make sure you and your family’s dental needs are met! Patient comfort is of the utmost importance, which is why we’ve invested in new technologies to make your experience as comfortable as possible each time you visit. Have a child who is just starting their dental journey? Let us use the proper tools and techniques to put them on a path to optimal oral health. With frequent checkups and cleanings and good oral habits practiced at home, you can watch your little one’s smile grow and develop according to plan. To learn more, contact us via our website or by calling (308) 382-4440.