Little Teeth, Big Responsibility: Why Baby Teeth Matter More Than You Think

By Sophya Sidhu

Many parents think of baby (primary) teeth as “placeholders” that don’t really matter because they eventually fall out. But baby teeth do much more than help kids flash a cute smile—they are essential to your child’s overall health and development. Lack of care for primary teeth can lead to problems that follow children into their teenage years and even adulthood.

When do baby teeth come in—and how long do they last?

Most babies start getting their first teeth around 6 months, and by age 3, they typically have all 20 baby teeth. What often comes as a surprise is that some of these teeth—especially the back molars—don’t fall out until kids are 10 to 12 years old.

That means some baby teeth need to stay healthy for a decade!

Baby teeth are important because they help children:

chew food properly
learn to speak clearly
develop jaw and facial bone structure
hold space for adult teeth forming underneath

When a baby tooth is lost too early—often due to decay—neighbouring teeth can drift into the empty space, making it harder for adult teeth to come in straight. This can increase the likelihood of needing braces later.

Baby teeth vs. adult teeth: what’s the difference?

Baby teeth are more vulnerable than adult teeth. Here’s why:

Thinner enamel: The protective outer layer is much thinner than on adult teeth. Cavities form more easily and spread faster.
Larger nerve space: The nerve inside a baby tooth sits closer to the surface. This means decay can reach the nerve quickly, causing pain, swelling or infection.

Kids may not have the words to describe dental pain, but it can affect their sleep, appetite, behaviour and even their ability to learn. If tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection and abscesses, making it difficult for children to eat and sleep, while damaging the developing adult tooth underneath. In severe cases, bacteria can spread into the bloodstream, affecting vital organs.

Healthy habits start early!

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears.
Schedule your child’s first dental visit around their first birthday.
For more tips, visit www.healthunit.com/kidsdental

These early routines build lifelong habits and help prevent problems before they start.

We’re here to help.

For families with lower incomes, the Middlesex-London Health Unit offers free dental screenings, cleanings and help accessing dental treatment through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program.

Have questions or want to book an appointment? Call 519-663-5317.

Sources

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2023). Policy on the importance of primary teeth. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry, 81–83.
https://www.aapd.org/research/oral-health-policies–recommendations/

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. (2024). Guideline on infant oral health care. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry, 269–276.
https://www.aapd.org/research/oral-health-policies–recommendations/

Lynch, R. J. M. (2013). The primary and mixed dentition, post-eruptive enamel maturation and dental caries: A review. International Dental Journal, 63(Suppl. 2), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/idj.12076

Pinkham, J. R., Casamassimo, P. S., McTigue, D. J., Fields, H. W., & Nowak, A. J. (2019). Pediatric dentistry: Infancy through adolescence (6th ed.). Elsevier.

StatPearls. (2023). Early childhood caries. In StatPearls [Internet]. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/

Submitted by Sophya Sidhu, CDAII, BHSc, MEd for the Middlesex-London Health Unit