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You and Your Child
Primary Teeth
It is very important that primary
teeth are kept until they are lost naturally. They serve a number of important
functions. They help maintain good nutrition by permitting your child
to chew properly. They are important in allowing good pronunciation and
speech habits; and they help your child feel good about the way he/she
looks to others.
Primary teeth also help guide
the proper eruption of the permanent teeth. When primary teeth are lost
too early, the space that is left should be maintained by a "space
maintainer" to ensure that there will be enough room for the permanent
teeth when they erupt. Your pediatric dentist has the knowledge required
to apply both preventive and corrective techniques which will maintain
the health of your child's teeth. Many times he/she can make a minor correction
that will eliminate major dental work later.
This
model illustrates how the baby teeth act as natural space maintainers
for the developing permanent teeth.
80%
of adolescents and teenagers can have straight teeth with orthodontic
treatment and not require removal of permanent teeth if the primary (baby)
teeth are not lost or removed early because of decay or infection.
Some babies have a tooth at
birth. Others may not see any teeth for the first year. Either way, to help
insure a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums for your baby, proper care begins
within the first few days after birth.
All twenty primary teeth begin
forming in the jaw bones before your baby is born. The two lower front teeth
are the first to come through, followed by the upper two. You can expect
to see all twenty primaries by age 2 - 2 1/2.
If you want more information, please feel free to contact us
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