Many people think baby teeth don’t matter because they’ll eventually fall out. The truth is baby teeth do matter. Primary, or baby teeth, are very important to a child’s early physical, social and emotional development.
Healthy baby teeth:
- Foster good nutrition through proper chewing
- Aid in speech development
- Build self-esteem by providing a beautiful smile
- Enable a child to pay attention and learn in school without the distraction of dental pain
- Save space in the jaw that is needed for proper development of adult (permanent) teeth
The WDA “Baby Teeth Matter” message promotes the importance of good oral health during a child’s early years. It also reminds the general public of oral health’s importance to overall well-being.
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- Something to smile about
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health provides tips for how to give your child a healthy smile.
- How to prevent early childhood cavities
Baby tooth decay is a serious, infectious and transmissible disease that can spread quickly and lead to infection without proper precautions. Early childhood caries (cavities) are preventable.
