First pediatric dental appointment should be by the child’s First Birthday. Your child’s oral health is very important. Primary, or “baby” teeth not only help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to come in.

Why are primary teeth important?

The primary teeth have a number of important roles to play:

Primary teeth are essential in the first step of digesting food: chewing, biting, and grinding.

They are also a key indicator for your child’s present and future dental health.

Primary teeth act as guides for the permanent teeth; by keeping proper spaces in the mouth. They help permanent teeth enter the mouth in the correct places. If primary teeth are lost early through decay there is more chance of them affecting the position of permanent teeth, so they may become crooked or even blocked by other teeth.

Space maintainers allow space for permanent teeth to be guided into position so your child’s mouth can grow and develop properly.

Primary teeth can influence the development and growth of the face and jaw muscles.