Did you know that your child’s baby teeth play an important role in the development and health of their smile? Although they do eventually fall out, deciduous teeth (primary or baby teeth) are critical to a child’s dental development. They allow children to learn proper chewing, swallowing, and speaking habits, are crucial to jaw development, and play a role in guiding the permanent teeth into place once they erupt around age six. Teeth actually start to form before birth, and can begin eruption as early as four months of age. Typically, baby teeth finish erupting by age three, with permanent teeth starting to come in at age six.
We see dentistry as a lifelong commitment, and we take a holistic approach to fostering healthy dental development for every child that comes in our office. A new environment can be stressful for your child, and our warm and welcoming Hixson, TN, team is here to help you and them feel comfortable during their pediatric dentistry appointments. Once you are established with our office, we will be able to provide the necessary dental care and monitor the development of your child’s teeth and jaw. This is especially important if your child loses a baby tooth too early as he or she will mostly likely need a space maintainer. This dental appliance keeps the gap left by a missing tooth open, preventing adjacent teeth from leaning into that gap and causing alignment problems later on.
Children learn by example, and one of the best ways parents can help foster good oral hygiene and overall health habits is by following healthy routines themselves. Along with helping a child learn proper brushing and flossing habits, establishing a healthy diet is also critical in their physical and dental development. Teeth require a healthy, balanced diet to remain strong, and we recommend choosing a variety of foods from all five food groups, while avoiding high carb and sugary foods like candy or soda. Healthier alternatives, like vegetables, low-fat yogurt, and cheese, not only improve overall health, but work to build strong teeth as well!
