Why Are Baby Teeth Important

Baby teeth are just as important to children as permanent teeth are to adults. They help a child to eat, talk and look great. However, many people believe the myth that it is not worth the effort to look after baby teeth. Nor is it worth fixing them. After all, some parents think, the permanent teeth will rake their place. This kin of thinking is understandable. The problem is that we are forgetting one other useful purpose of baby teeth. Baby teeth keep space in the mouth for the permanent teeth to grow in. If there is not enough space, the new teeth will grow in crooked, and cavities grow faster around crooked teeth.

Lone Tree dentists say, under each baby tooth a new permanent tooth is growing. At the same time, extra permanent molars are forming at the back of the mouth, inside the bone. Front baby teeth become loose and fall out in about 5-7 years ahead of back baby teeth. This is because the front permanent teeth are formed and ready to grow in before them.

The permanent molar is often the first of the permanent, or adult, teeth to grow into the mouth. This typically happens around age 6. The first permanent molar grows into the mouth by sliding against the back of the second baby molar. Slowly the upper and lower permanent molars grow in meeting and fitting tightly together.


Between the ages of 5-12, dental care is very important to ensure that the baby molars are healthy. Having healthy baby molars will guide the permanent replacement teeth into their correct position. When the first permanent molars grow into the correct position, it is a very good sign for future dental health. Correct positioning means the other permanent teeth will grow in properly leaving enough space for all the teeth. For some people there is not enough space for proper alignment, but most people don't suffer from this plight.

Good early dental health is very important. Good foods and regular cleaning keeps baby and adult teeth healthy. Always care for baby teeth just as you would permanent teeth.