My child’s baby tooth needs a filling? Isn’t it just going to fall out?? Why do we need to fill it?
Great question!! I hear this question often! Let’s look at why restoring baby teeth is an excellent decision!
Take a look at this child’s smile:
See all that space?? We LOVE spacing in kids mouths!! Why you ask?? Because baby teeth are SMALLER than big teeth! When this child loses all his baby teeth, they will have room for their big teeth to come in!
Take a look at this child’s smile:
Her baby teeth are crowded!! That means, no room for her big teeth! They will be crowded!! So, imagine if either of these children lost a tooth before their big tooth was ready to come in. Once that tooth is out of the picture, the teeth around it shift. In doing so, the big tooth (or teeth) may be crowded out! A tooth may be prevented from erupting and/or crowding will result. (Enter orthodontist)
In short, baby teeth “hold place” for big teeth. They make sure your little one has room for their big teeth!
Now, let’s think of something else. I am going to ask a very simple question...What do you use to eat YOUR food?
It’s not a trick question. The answer is... Your Teeth!!
Well, what does your son or daughter use to eat their food? You got it!! Their teeth!!!
If we don’t fix your child’s teeth, let cavities get bigger, and remove their teeth before their big teeth come in; what will they eat with?? Fixing cavities on baby teeth is just as important as fixing cavities on big teeth!!