Highschool orthodontics, young adult wisdom tooth extraction, and senior dental replacements are common enough experiences that most people are familiar with them. But oral health facts for young children are perhaps lesser known. For example, do baby teeth matter? When should your kid start seeing a pediatric dentist? And what exactly causes cavities, anyway?

If you’d like to know the answers to these questions, keep reading. This post will fill you in.

Baby Teeth Affect Adult Teeth

Baby teeth do matter – a lot, actually! They essentially pave the way for your child’s permanent adult teeth by guiding them into place. Ideally, “into place” means they erupt smoothly and straight. However, prematurely losing baby teeth to cavities or injury can affect this process, increasing your child’s odds of needing orthodontic treatment later in life. So brush the very first baby tooth that you see, and continue to take good care of them!

1 Year Later: Your Child’s First Checkup

Pediatric dentists generally recommend scheduling your child’s first checkup when they’re around one year old. This gives them a chance to see how their oral health is progressing as they grow, but also gives your little one a chance to meet their dentist. When kids grow up visiting the same pediatric dentist, they’re less likely to be afraid of dental appointments and more likely to feel comfortable and safe.

Bacteria, Not Sugar, Causes Cavities

Ultimately, bacteria build-up is the root cause of cavities. When the harmful variety reaches “critical mass” in the mouth, it will start to eat away at nearby enamel – in other words, teeth. Where sugar comes into play is how it speeds up bacteria growth. Roughly 42% of children between the ages of two and eleven develop some form of tooth decay, so it’s important to encourage good oral hygiene and limit sweet treats!

Your child’s teeth are going through some important stages of development that could very well affect their oral health down the road. Because of that, it’s good to keep tabs on their dental progress and promote strong pearly whites. Your pediatric dentist can help in a big way with biannual checkups and cleanings and can also keep you informed about other lesser-known aspects of your child’s teeth. Don’t hesitate to lean on them for support!

About the Practice

At Kraft & Schrott Dental Associates, we’re proud to have several dentists on staff, each with their own unique experiences and specialties. This means we can provide a comprehensive list of services for patients of all ages and can do so while providing quality treatment and comfortable care. To contact our office with questions about your child’s oral health or to schedule their first appointment, call 617-227-4924.