Did you know that even before your child is born, the primary teeth are already forming? And, by the time a baby turns a year old several of the front teeth will have typically erupted into place. For these reasons, it’s essential to protect the health of your child’s smile from an early age. At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, we specialize in addressing the dental needs of children from infancy through adolescence. As skilled and experienced providers of care, you can rest assured that your little one’s ongoing oral health will be in the best of hands.
Why healthy baby teeth are important
The primary teeth not only make it possible for your child to smile, eat, and speak; they also play the critical role of serving as placeholders for the permanent teeth. Cleaning and caring for your child’s teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth erupts, which is usually before one year of age. At your child’s first checkup, our dentist will help you establish an effective oral hygiene regimen for your child, with a focus on preventing early pediatric dental disease, such as baby bottle tooth decay. We teach you how to brush your baby’s teeth, and will discuss the right lifestyle and dietary choices to help them maintain a cavity-free smile from the start. We’ll also perform a gentle examination to track the development of your child’s teeth and jaws as well as check for any emerging issues. At every visit, we strive to make your child’s dental experience a positive one.
When a baby tooth is lost too early
Sometimes, due to tooth decay or a traumatic injury, a child may lose a primary tooth early, before the permanent one underneath is ready to come into place. When this happens, our dentist will consider the best way to hold the space left by the baby tooth in order to maintain a clear path for the succeeding adult tooth. While not every situation where a baby tooth is lost early needs an intervention to maintain the space, there are times when a small dental appliance known as a space maintainer is required to make sure the permanent tooth does not become crowded out of the dental arch or impacted by shifting adjacent teeth.
The key to good oral health
Remember, excellent oral health begins with good oral care. At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, we focus on education and prevention to keep your child’s smile healthy and beautiful. To learn more or to schedule your child’s checkup, call today.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
March 22, 2022
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