Baby teeth (also known as primary teeth) are the first teeth infants develop, beginning with their central incisors around six months and ending with their back molars between one to two years old. They’ll keep their baby teeth up until they turn six or seven, when their adult (or permanent) teeth will start to emerge and replace them.

Since these early teeth are temporary, many people don’t think that maintaining them with a comprehensive oral care routine, including regular dental check-ups and cleanings, is very important. After all, they're just going to fall out anyway, right? The truth is, taking care of your teeth is important at any age, so let’s go over some of the main benefits to taking care of those baby teeth.

1. Helps to minimize dental anxiety

The dentist is a source of anxiety for many, to the point where it’s not uncommon for people to carry a fear of dentists with them for their entire lives. Coming in for regular check-ups at a young age can go a long way towards helping to manage a child’s dental anxiety and building a positive relationship with their oral care providers.

2. Prevents dental issues

They may not last forever, but baby teeth are still susceptible to tooth decay just like adult teeth. In fact, treatment of dental issues is the leading cause for day surgery in Canada for children under the age of five. Tooth decay in early childhood typically forms from food and liquid left behind in the mouth after feeding, and can cause both immediate and long-term issues like cavities, pain, or infection. Untreated tooth decay can also affect a child’s sleep, language development, and eating abilities. In severe cases, tooth decay of primary teeth can even cause infection in the adult teeth waiting below the gumline.  

3. Sets permanent teeth up for success

Taking good care of a child’s baby teeth provides long-term oral health benefits, in many cases extending into adulthood. Primary tooth health has an impact on the position, alignment, and health of adult teeth. Baby teeth aren’t just disposable, they do a very important job: holding space for the adult tooth that will eventually take its place.  

With all that in mind, it’s no surprise that dentists (including us!) recommend infants come in for their first dental appointment between six months of their first tooth coming in and their first birthday. Not only can it help build lifelong oral health habits that will serve them throughout their entire life, it will also help prevent dental issues from occurring in the first place.

If a little one in your life is starting to get their first teeth, schedule their first appointment today! And, if you’ve been putting it off, now’s the best time to start. Both of our locations offer pediatric dentistry services, and children are able to spend the tokens they receive from their visits at our toy tower:

In addition, we also have child-friendly video games available in the waiting room to help keep the kiddos entertained before appointments. Plus! The first visit for children under three is free!

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