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In Rehoboth Beach, we hear it all the time: “They’re just baby teeth; they’re going to fall out anyway!”
While it’s true that primary teeth are temporary, they have a very important job. The first set of teeth helps guide the adult teeth waiting in the wings. If a baby tooth leaves the party too early, it can cause a big traffic jam for the rest of the smile.
Here’s what to know about protecting your child’s smile and ensuring proper development.
Saving the Seat for Adult Teeth
Every baby tooth holds a specific parking spot for an adult tooth. If a baby tooth is lost too soon because of a cavity or an injury, the teeth next to it will start to lean into that empty space.
Then, when the adult tooth is finally ready to come up, its spot is gone! The tooth can get impacted, or stuck beneath the gums if there’s no spot for it to emerge.
If a tooth has to come out early, we use a space maintainer. It’s a simple little bar that keeps the neighbors from drifting until the adult tooth is ready to arrive.
Read More: The 3 Biggest Mistakes Parents Make with Their Kids’ Teeth—And How to Avoid Them
High-Risk Molars
Around age six, four brand-new molars grow in at the very back of the mouth. The tricky part? No baby teeth fall out to make room for them, so many parents don’t even realize they are there!
Because these teeth are so far back, brand new, and contain deep grooves, they are prime targets for cavities. Applying dental sealants to molars offers a protective coating to keep decay out.
The Nighttime Bottle Routine
We all want our kids to sleep through the night, but letting a child go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice can be a recipe for trouble. Saliva flow slows down while we sleep, meaning any sugar in that bottle sits on the teeth all night long.
Once that first tooth pops through the gums, the only thing that should be in a nighttime bottle or sippy cup is plain water. The simple switch is the single best way to prevent nursing decay on those front teeth.
Read More: Choosing the Right Dentist for Your Child: What to Look For
Comprehensive Children’s Dentistry in Rehoboth Beach
Start your child’s smile journey on the right foot at Maplewood Dental Associates. We offer a range of treatments to protect young smiles and treat any issues early on.
Visit our kids’ dentist in Rehoboth Beach today!
