{"id":286,"date":"2018-11-08T19:10:16","date_gmt":"2018-11-09T00:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.waylanddental.com\/?p=286"},"modified":"2018-12-07T11:56:08","modified_gmt":"2018-12-07T16:56:08","slug":"learn-why-family-dentist-in-wayland-care-baby-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waylanddental.com\/blog\/2018\/11\/learn-why-family-dentist-in-wayland-care-baby-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn Why a Family Dentist in Wayland Cares About Baby Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/a>When your child\u2019s first baby tooth falls out naturally, it can be an exciting time. Seeing your child go through the same developmental passages you went through can be a truly amazing experience. However, just because their baby teeth are going to come out eventually doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you should let oral hygiene be left behind.<\/p>\n

Children require special attention when it comes to their oral health, so it\u2019s crucial that you take the time to learn why baby teeth matter and what you can do to prevent them from developing cavities. Learn more by reading this post from a family dentist in Wayland!<\/a><\/p>\n

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How Baby Teeth Cavities Affect Oral Development<\/h2>\n

When your child\u2019s baby teeth are developing cavities, it\u2019s a sign that a bacterial infection is present. This could be caused by poor oral hygiene, accidentally transferring your own oral bacteria to their vulnerable mouths, or a diet that\u2019s high in sugar. No matter how the cavities appeared, the process of demineralization is going to start if they are left untreated. Mineralization is the process in which teeth use fluoride to rebuild, but demineralization causes enamel to break down further and eventually collapse. This results in tooth loss, which can have serious implications.<\/p>\n

Many parents don\u2019t realize that baby teeth are not only for chewing and smiling, but also acting as buffers for permanent teeth. If a baby tooth falls out prematurely, it can cause the permanent tooth to erupt before it\u2019s ready. It will also cause neighboring teeth to shift into the open space left behind and cause misalignment issues later in life. If you want to reduce the chances of your child needing orthodontic work later, it\u2019s crucial that you take proper care of their teeth now.<\/p>\n

How They Affect Their Overall Development<\/h2>\n

Baby teeth cavities will obviously put a damper on your child\u2019s oral development, but it\u2019s not the only aspect of their health that\u2019s at risk. Tooth decay only makes it difficult for them to chew the foods they need to grow properly. This can easily lead to malnutrition and cause problems with the rest of their development later.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, children with decaying teeth often have trouble speaking, which can affect their ability to create lasting relationships at a young age. It can also make it difficult for them to concentrate in school if they have chronic tooth pain.<\/p>\n

What You Can Do to Protect Your Child\u2019s Teeth<\/h2>\n

Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce your child\u2019s risk of baby tooth decay. Consider the following tips to help you get started:<\/p>\n