If you think that your teeth are important as an adult, then you should also think about how vital they are for your baby. Your baby’s teeth can help them in more ways than one. Here is why it is important to look after your child’s baby teeth.
Baby’s will typically begin teething between six and 12 months. At three, they will have all of their baby teeth in place. Baby teeth act as the placeholder for your child’s permanent teeth, and they will need to be taken care of properly for the following reasons:
Baby Teeth Are The Placement Holders For Their Adult Teeth
Permanent teeth erupt from the gums and cause your baby’s baby teeth to fall out. This phase will usually last for seven years. Your child will have all of their baby teeth by the age of three, which help serve as placeholders for their permanent teeth, which will replace them for the next few years. When the time comes, they will automatically begin to fill the holes the baby teeth left behind.
If your child’s baby teeth fall out before the right time because of tooth decay, disease or other reasons, their permanent teeth could become crowded. It can also cause a delay in the development of their permanent teeth. If this happens, then you should bring your child to see the dentist as soon as possible.
Baby Teeth Help Your Child Chew
Other than being placeholders, your child’s baby teeth also help them chew properly. Without them, it can be difficult for your child to chew and digest food. In order to maintain good health, your child will need their baby teeth. They help to break down food into smaller pieces so that they can be digested properly in the stomach. Every single tooth has a function. For example, the incisors take bites of food, the canines are ripping and tearing the food apart, and the molars are chewing and grinding. Without them, your baby will have a lot more difficulty eating the right foods to help them stay healthy.
Baby Teeth Help With The Development Of Speech
The mouth, lips, teeth and tongue all work together to make the correct sounds when speaking. This also applies to babies. Since teeth are involved in the regulation of airflow, they help with making sounds and words. When your baby makes different types of contact with their teeth, they learn to speak clearly.
Baby Teeth Help With The Development Of Jaw Bones And Facial Muscles
The muscles found in the jaw and face, just like other muscles in the body, will need to be exercised so that they develop properly. Chewing and sucking exercises help to aid in the proper development of these muscles. Baby teeth will also help build the alveolar bone, which depends on the presence of baby teeth. If a baby’s teeth are missing, some children can develop narrow airways, leading to disorders like sleep apnea.