In most cases, parents become concerned about their child’s teeth after the baby teeth have fallen out and the adult teeth have grown in. Recent discussions have focused on whether this is the best approach to taking care of a child’s dental health. In recent years, a number of dental health professionals have advocated taking action earlier, when the teeth are still baby teeth.

The following are a few reasons why baby teeth should be restored:

Nutritional Factors

The right nutrition is essential as your child grows and develops. When a child’s teeth aren’t in proper condition, chewing becomes difficult, making it harder for them to eat and ingest food. A child who spits out food or who doesn’t chew correctly may have dental issues that need to be addressed.

Upon verification of your child’s dental condition, the pediatric dentist will be able to take the appropriate action to remedy it. It is also important to inform the pediatric dentist in Hoover of your child’s eating habits and whether they have difficulty chewing.

Speech Development

The teeth play a key role in the development of speech. As your child makes sounds and turns those sounds into words, their teeth will be used more and more. In order to achieve optimal results, teeth should be shaped properly and be free from painful cavities and deformities. When you notice that your child is making strange sounds when they should be able to piece together words, it may be a sign that they have a dental condition that is affecting their development.

Baby Teeth Should Last for Years.

Around the age of 11 or 12, most children have lost their baby teeth. Therefore, your child will have to use their baby teeth for about 9 years. When a tooth decays, it is unable to fulfill its function of providing chewing and speech abilities to your child. You should therefore seriously consider restoring your child’s teeth if they have oral health concerns. If you take action early, you can ensure that your child has healthy teeth well into their teen years.

The Spread of Infection is Possible.

The most important reason to fix your child’s problematic teeth is that an infection can spread. In the event that your child has a large cavity, the cavity will press down into the gums and into the root of the tooth. Your child’s teeth are at risk of falling out, thereby making it difficult for them to chew properly.

Additionally, your child may experience severe pain that can only be alleviated by removing the tooth or performing extensive dental work. However, it is important that you do not allow your child’s dental condition to deteriorate to this point. The best solution is to seek dental care as soon as possible. We invite you to schedule an appointment with our Hoover AL pediatric dentist today so that your child can grow up with a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime.