Why Are Primary Teeth Important?

Primary teeth, also known as “baby teeth” or “deciduous teeth,” begin to develop beneath the gums during the second trimester of pregnancy.  Teeth begin to emerge above the gums approximately six months to one year after birth.  Typically, preschool children have a complete set of 20 baby teeth – including four molars on each arch.

One of the most common misconceptions about primary teeth is that they are irrelevant to the child’s future oral health.  However, their importance is emphasized by the American Dental Association (ADA), which urges parents to schedule a “baby checkup” with a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth emerges.

What are the functions of primary teeth?

Primary teeth can be painful to acquire.  To soothe tender gums, biting on chewing rings, wet gauze pads, and clean fingers can be helpful.  Though most three-year-old children have a complete set of primary teeth, eruption happens gradually – usually starting at the front of the mouth.

The major functions of primary teeth are described below:

Speech production and development – Learning to speak clearly is crucial for cognitive, social, and emotional development.  The proper positioning of primary teeth facilitates correct syllable pronunciation and prevents the tongue from straying during speech formation.

Eating and nutrition – Children with malformed or severely decayed primary teeth are more likely to experience dietary deficiencies, malnourishment, and to be underweight.  Proper chewing motions are acquired over time and with extensive practice.  Healthy primary teeth promote good chewing habits and facilitate nutritious eating.

Self-confidence – Even very young children can be quick to point out ugly teeth and crooked smiles.  Taking good care of primary teeth can make social interactions more pleasant, reduce the risk of bad breath, and promote confident smiles and positive social interactions.

Straighter smiles – One of the major functions of primary teeth is to hold an appropriate amount of space for developing adult teeth.  In addition, these spacers facilitate the proper alignment of adult teeth and also promote jaw development.  Left untreated, missing primary teeth cause the remaining teeth to “shift” and fill spaces improperly.  For this reason, pediatric dentists often recommend space-maintaining devices.

Excellent oral health – Badly decayed primary teeth can promote the onset of childhood periodontal disease.  As a result of this condition, oral bacteria invade and erode gums, ligaments, and eventually bone.  If left untreated, primary teeth can drop out completely – causing health and spacing problems for emerging permanent teeth.  To avoid periodontal disease, children should practice an adult-guided oral care routine each day, and infant gums should be rubbed gently with a clean, damp cloth after meals.

If you have questions or concerns about primary teeth, please contact your pediatric dentist.

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Choosing a dentist after delaying for over 6 years is tough !
Dr. Norman and his excellent staff, Jennifer, Coreena, and Kim, took care of me at every step.
Scheduling, consultations, the work that needed to be done on my teeth, and a follow-up appointment, have without a doubt resulted in me being a patient for life.
If you're in the same situation as I was, or are looking for a different opinion for your own dental needs, I highly recommend you go see them at their Roseburg or Glide clinics.

Teal T.

No one likes a visit to the dentist, but Jed Norman makes it as pain-free as possible. I've been to good dentists and bad ones, having gone through much more than my share of dental drama, so I was extremely relieved to find Dr Norman. He's very experienced and knowledgeable, but more to the point, he cares about his patients. He's thorough, compassionate, and patient. He's not afraid of a challenging dental situation, but knows his limits. I've supplied him with several opportunities (not on purpose) to recommend work that wasn't necessary, but he always suggests the conservative treatment first. He explains the science and logistics of his approach well, which helps me feel more confident. Also, both his office staff , dental assistants , and hygienist are equally competent and caring. When I need to get in for an appointment I'm able to. My husband and I have been Dr Norman's patient's for over three years now and I highly recommend him.

Shawna W.

Great dentist and awesome staff. Service is always thorough and they are very clear about treatment plans and costs. I got my wisdom teeth pulled here and they did a very good job. If you're looking for an honest, kind dentist with integrity, Jed Norman is your guy.

Andrew F.

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