The Tooth is… Baby Teeth are Important!

Humans have two sets of teeth in their lifetime: the first set is called milk, baby, primary or deciduous teeth, and the second set is referred to as adult or permanent teeth. Teeth develop before the baby is born and usually come through the gums between six to 12 months of age. By the age of three, 20 baby teeth are expected. “Teething” is a learning period for both child and parent. Developing good dental-health habits early in a child’s life will not only help to protect this first set of teeth from decay and infection but help to limit infection in other parts of the body.

Eruption pattern of baby teeth

Why are baby teeth important?

1. For the development of speech: Front teeth are used to make sounds in speech and to pronounce words. Losing them too early could impair the child’s ability to correctly pronounce “f, s, t and v” sounds.
2. To eat: Baby teeth, especially back teeth, help to chew food and develop proper chewing and swallowing habits. Tooth pain from cavities can result in improper chewing and may lead to nutrition deficiency.
3. Proper arrangement of teeth: Baby teeth act to maintain proper spacing until the adult teeth come through the gums. When baby teeth are lost earlier than usual, it can cause shifting of other teeth, leading to crooked adult teeth and bite misalignments.
4. Self–esteem: Discoloured teeth with large cavities or crooked teeth can affect self-confidence, and an individual may feel a reluctance to laugh or smile in public.
5. For oral health: Oral bacteria that mix with acidic and sugary food, drinks and snacks can damage the tooth enamel – the hardest material in the human body – causing cavities or infection. If these cavities are ignored, it might also cause infection in the gum, damaging the underlying permanent teeth.
6. Education: Children with dental pain can find it hard to concentrate in school, which can affect their performance and ability to learn.
7. Stress for parents: In addition to the suffering child, the entire family is affected by frequent dental visits, cost of dental treatment, and time away from work and school.

Good oral health practices should start at birth. A healthy set of primary teeth supports a child’s growth and development, and lays the foundation for strong, healthy adult teeth. To find out more about dental health, or where to find dental care or treatment, go to: https://www.healthunit.com/dental-health

Vijayasri Rajaganesh CDA II for the Middlesex-London Health Unit