Baby teeth are known as the child’s first teeth and appear in the mouth at the age of 6 to 10 months. All 20 baby teeth erupt into the oral cavity by the age of 2 ½ to 3 years. It is important to take care of baby teeth as it will affect the overall health of the child.
Due to the frequent consumption of sugary foods, there is always a risk of developing cavities in babies soon after the eruption of baby teeth. Extra care is to be taken as the health of permanent teeth depends on the child’s baby teeth.
Importance of Baby Teeth:
Baby teeth are important to enhance overall health and perform various functions, including:
Chew and Eat: Teeth help chew and eat food. For the better health of children, they require healthy food that provides nutrition and helps in overall growth.
Clear Speech: Teeth promote the ability to speak clearly. Early loss of a tooth makes it difficult for the child to speak certain sounds and may require speech therapy to improve speech.
Space for Adult Teeth: The space for permanent (adult) teeth is held by baby teeth in the jaws. Early loss of baby teeth can lead to various misalignments, like crowding. It also results in jaw problems.
Overall Health: Early decay in baby teeth may lead to infection and cause pain and fever. The infection can spread to other parts of the head and neck, causing swelling if not treated on time.
Build Self-confidence: Early tooth decay in the front teeth may cause the child to cover the teeth while speaking or laughing. A healthy smile helps to build self-confidence in the child and develop a positive social life.
