It’s okay, they’re just baby teeth...right?

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It’s okay only if those baby teeth are taken cared of properly and part of a healthy mouth.  They may only have a life span of a few years, but are so important for many reasons. We need our kids to have good teeth from the beginning.
First, those teeth are all they have to chew with until around the age of 6 or 7 when the first permanent molars come in, sometimes referred to as “six-year molars”.  Around the same time, they are losing eight incisors and
having new front teeth erupt. Consequently, they may not have very many functioning teeth at different times
so the ones they do have are critical.  If there is a diminished capacity to properly chew food, it can lead to poor
nutrition and digestion issues even in young people.

Children who end up with cavities that are not restored can develop toothaches and abscesses just like adults. 
However, that can happen quicker in baby teeth. Since they are designed to only last a short time, any problems
can rapidly involve the nerves of the teeth.  Problems like that can lead to school absences, loss of concentration
during class, irritability, etc. The list can go on and on.

Should there be a problem with a baby tooth, many people think that we should just remove it instead of spending
money on its restoration.  However, some of them can be around till age 13 or older. If the permanent replacement
is close to coming in to take its place, then removal is fine. But if we extract a baby tooth and the new tooth doesn’t
come in right away, there can be shifting of the remaining teeth, potentially giving rise to more complicated
orthodontic issues.

Most people are aware of the need to brush and floss regularly to ensure good oral health. However, another major
factor in strengthening teeth is fluoride, available through a variety of sources.  Even the youngest can benefit, and
a small amount of a fluoridated toothpaste can be very beneficial when used twice a day.  The most effective and
easiest way to get fluoride is when it is in our public water system. Parents should consult with their family dentist
about topical fluoride applications when their children are in for preventive visits.

Author Dr. Merle Nunemaker, a past president of the Missouri Dental Association, is in private practice in Lee's Summit with Jungmeyer & Suresh Dental Enterprises. He also serves as a volunteer member of Lee’s Summit’s Health Education Advisory Board.

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