Many of the teeth that kids have when they are young are designed to fall out. Because of this, some parents do not put the same emphasis on caring for baby teeth as they do on the care of permanent teeth. This can lead to some big problems for your child. It is important to care for baby teeth because neglecting them can lead to some serious and long-term consequences. 

Decaying or damaged baby teeth can cause pain

One of the reasons why it is important to care for baby teeth is the fact that decay and damage can cause pain. A cavity in a baby tooth can cause pain for your child just like a cavity in a permanent tooth can cause pain for you. Caring properly for baby teeth can significantly reduce the risk of developing decay. Proper care includes brushing regularly and getting to the dentist for routine dental appointments. 

Extensive dental work can create a negative experience with the dentist

When neglecting the care of baby teeth leads to decay or other issues, dental work will be necessary. This can mean getting a filling, a crown, or possibly an extraction. Going through this type of dental work can be painful. If your child has a negative experience at the dentist because he or she needs a painful procedure, it can impact the dental care your child gets in the future. There are many adults who avoid going to the dentist for proper oral care because of a negative experience from their childhood. You can help set your child up to have a positive relationship with the dentist by making it a priority to care for baby teeth. 

Caring for baby teeth creates good habits

It is never too early to start helping your child develop good habits when it comes to oral care. Some parents even start the oral care routine before the first tooth breaks through. Simply going through a basic oral care routine each morning and evening will help your child accept oral care as a normal part of the rhythm of life. Going to routine dental appointments twice per year is another important habit to help your child develop. Starting these routines while your child has baby teeth will help him or her continue those routines into adulthood. 

It is true that most baby teeth are eventually going to fall out. If your child has an accident and knocks out a baby tooth, the dentist may say it’s fine a make no attempt to reattach the tooth. However, the fact that baby teeth will not last forever does not mean that you should skimp on caring for them. Caring for your child’s baby teeth will minimize the risk for painful problems, allow for a positive relationship with the dentist, and create life-long habits related to oral care.