How many times have parents heard the phrase, “they are only baby teeth, they will lose them anyway”. For years, many live under the common misconception that children’s primary teeth are not as important because they are only temporary. However, that is not necessarily the case when it comes to baby teeth.
For starters, baby teeth are space maintainers. Each primary tooth holds the places for the permanent teeth to come through. Which is why extra precautions are taken when a child does lose a tooth before the permanent tooth is expected to erupt. Most of the time teeth grow incorrectly and need additional assistance to reposition the tooth correctly. Some of those include space maintainers, braces, or in severe cases, minor surgery.
Which brings us to the next common tale we hear when it comes to cavities. Some have the notion that having a cavity on a primary tooth is nothing to be concerned about and tend to neglect the need to manage it. What many may not realize is that cavity could spread bacteria and infection to the permanent tooth erupting underneath. It can cause more dental issues in the future for your little one on top of potential health risks from the growing infections that can develop. The thing to remember is good oral hygiene in the beginning will mean less dental issues in the future. Pediatricians and dentists alike agree that starting your child’s dental visits when the child is one is the best practice that parents can do for their children.
The list of old wives tales about baby teeth is quite extensive but listening to them can be detrimental to a child’s dental health and your wallet. By taking the extra precautions and refraining from believing in the myths, you could potentially save a lot of heartache, money, all while keeping your child healthy and happy.