There are a lot of myths in my profession. For example, a lot of people think that whiter teeth are necessarily healthier teeth — but that’s just not true. And one that really kills me is the myth that flossing just isn’t that important. But if you’re reading this blog post, you probably know that’s a big (dangerous) myth. Here’s a list of some more common dental myths. There is something that’s not on that list, though, and it’s a big misconception we hear all the time — so I’ll add it on here.
Myth #7: Decaying baby teeth will fall out anyway, so they don’t need to be repaired.
This statement is not true. Let me repeat: this statement is not true. Parents who believe it to be true are not only damaging their child’s oral health, they’re also potentially hurting their child’s self-esteem and even their overall wellbeing.
Why Are Baby Teeth So Important?
When your car breaks down, I guarantee your reasoning isn’t to just get rid of it since you’ll eventually need a new one anyway. It’s the same with your child’s teeth. Yes, they’ll eventually fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth, but those little primary teeth are busy playing a crucial role in your child’s mouth. Let’s find out more about what baby teeth do.
Baby Teeth Save Space
Your child’s first teeth are there to save space for their permanent teeth. If a primary tooth is lost before the permanent tooth behind it is ready to erupt, another permanent tooth may drift over and take its place. And when the original tooth is ready to come out but has nowhere to go, it may push into the other permanent tooth — leading to a severely misaligned and crowded mouth, and orthodontic issues you’ll have to correct later.
Baby Teeth Aid in Good Nutrition
Aside from saving space for permanent teeth, your child’s primary teeth also help them develop good eating habits when they’re young. Missing or decayed teeth make it difficult for a child to chew, which may cause him or her to avoid certain foods — usually the crunchy ones we want them to eat most, like fresh fruits and vegetables.
Healthy Teeth Boost Confidence
When your teeth are healthy, you feel confident when you smile. It’s the same with your child. A clean, healthy mouth has a huge effect on all of us — it’s important to make sure your child’s self-esteem isn’t damaged as a result of decayed teeth.
Fillings ARE Necessary in Young Children
We know that children’s first teeth are crucial to their overall health and wellbeing. So if your child’s primary teeth show evidence of decay, we will work to repair them — and that often means by performing a filling. By restoring your child’s baby teeth, we’re helping you to ensure your child’s permanent teeth — that’s right, the ones they’ll have for life — come in straight and healthy.
Your Midlothian / Cleburne Children’s Dentist Cares
When was your child’s last dental examination? If it’s been more than six months, do your child a favor. Schedule an appointment for a checkup today.