All too often people think that there is no point in treating decayed baby teeth as they “will fall out anyway”. In fact, your child’s baby teeth are hugely important. Aside from a pearly white smile, baby teeth have a role in speech, chewing and development of the adult ‘bite’.
- In Ireland, 30% of 5 year olds have decay in their baby teeth with this figure rising to a shocking 47% for 5 year olds who live in area without domestic water fluoridation. Some of these children will develop pain and infection related to decayed baby teeth. Chronic infection of decayed baby teeth can damage the developing permanent tooth. Acute infection related to decayed baby teeth can lead to rare but serious outcomes requiring hospitalisation.
- It is well documented that a child who experiences a toothache is more likely to develop dental phobia. Dental pain is also a frequent cause of school absences.
- Early loss of baby teeth (remember baby back molars are not normally shed until 10-12 years of age) can result in lack of space loss for the adult teeth to erupt and subsequent overcrowding. Maintaining a healthy set of baby teeth may avoid the need for expensive braces later on!
