It’s a myth that your child’s baby teeth aren’t important. That’s why it’s vital that you schedule routine checkups with our pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Kim will make sure that your child is on track for maintaining a healthy smile for years to come. Taking care of your child’s baby teeth also sets them up for success when their adult teeth start to emerge.
Here’s what else you need to know about the . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our pediatric dental office.
Your are important because they help hold space in their growing jaws until the adult teeth are ready to emerge. If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, the adjacent teeth may start to drift toward the empty space. This can lead to crowding and other issues that may need to be corrected through orthodontics.
It’s always best if your child can hold onto their baby teeth until the permanent teeth are ready to replace them.
Learn More: How Do I Care for My Baby’s First Teeth? →
No parent wants to see their child experience pain or discomfort. That’s why it’s important that you make sure your child practices good oral hygiene every day. Otherwise, they’ll have a higher risk of developing oral health issues. While baby teeth are temporary, they’re still vulnerable to pediatric cavities.
Depending on the age of your child, you may need to brush and floss their teeth for them until they gain the eye-hand coordination to handle these tasks effectively on their own. This is typically once your child is old enough to tie their own shoes.
If your child is old enough to brush and floss on their own, it’s a good idea to continue to supervise them to make sure they’re cleaning every tooth. Otherwise, they may be tempted to skip the back teeth which are especially prone to cavities.
It’s best to teach your child good oral hygiene habits while they’re still young and impressionable. This will help set them up for success when their permanent adult teeth start to emerge. If your child is brushing and flossing during their early childhood, they’ll be more likely to continue those good habits as an adolescent, teenager, and young adult.
As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Kim can help teach your child how to care for their smile, setting up a strong foundation for good oral health later in life.
Dr. Wanki William Kim is an experienced pediatric dentist in Grand Rapids, Michigan, He’s also accepting new patients and would be more than happy to help your child maintain a healthy smile. To schedule an appointment for your child, please call the Pediatric Dentistry of Michigan at (616) 447-7900. You may also fill out our online contact form and someone from our team will reach out to you soon.
