You may think that baby teeth, because they aren’t permanent, are not very important. Your child will grow adult teeth, after all.
However, baby teeth set the stage for adult teeth and aid in your child’s oral development.
Baby teeth help with:
- Guiding adult teeth in their correct positions
- Hold space for adult tooth eruption
- Help your child learn proper chewing
- Aid in proper speech development
When baby teeth are lost too soon, the dentist may have to intervene to help ensure your child’s long-term dental health and developmental success.
Potential interventions may include space maintainers to preserve space for your child’s adult teeth.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
We encourage you to bring your child to the dentist around their second birthday or earlier if you have specific concerns. Early dental care allows the dentist to establish a trusting relationship with your child, so they feel at ease in our dental clinic.
Additionally, early dental care helps us monitor your child’s oral health and development. If issues arise, we can intervene early. We can also take measures to preserve their baby teeth until the time is right for them to come out on their own.
First visits involve a ride in the dental chair, a fun chat with the team, counting teeth, and a checkup. We take measures to make this appointment fun and positive for your little one.
For your part, always speak positively about the dentist’s office. For example, never use scary words like “shot” or “drill” to describe treatment. You can also bring your child to one of your dental visits to familiarise them with the dental setting.
We Encourage You to Contact Your Child’s Dentist in Avondale
Is it time for your child’s first dental visit? Do you have concerns about their baby teeth? To learn more or book a consultation, please call us.
We encourage you to review our current dental specials.
We serve patients across Auckland, including West Auckland, Avondale, Rosebank and Waterview.