Is it important to take care of the baby teeth like the adult teeth?

Your child should be assessed by a dentist six months after the first tooth erupts or by the age of 1, Canadian Dental Association recommends.

During a dental visit, the dentist may need to take x-rays to detect problems early. They will also check to make sure you are doing a good job at cleaning your child’s teeth. The earlier the problem is detected, the better.

Applying sealants on the chewing surface of the tooth will stop germs and food from hiding in the grooves. As a result, cavities are prevented. If this is not done early on, a cavity might form which will require a filling.

You may wonder, if the tooth is going to fall out eventually, why bother with a filling?

To answer this question, you need to understand the importance of oral hygiene on your child’s overall health. Primary teeth usually last up to the age of 12 years. If a cavity is not treated early on, bacteria might spread infecting the root of the tooth. As a result, extracting the tooth will be the only option. This will interfere with the growth of the permanent tooth. Due to the fact that the teeth on both sides of the extracted tooth will move into the empty space preventing the permanent tooth from coming out.