What are baby teeth? When do children need to have baby teeth extracted?
Baby teeth are a child's first teeth, which play a role in supporting chewing, speaking and maintaining space for permanent teeth. Most baby teeth will fall out on their own, however in some cases a dentist will need to be examined and advised to have them extracted to avoid affecting oral health.
Cases where baby tooth extraction is indicated
- Severe tooth decay, inflammation or abscess:Teeth can no longer be preserved, causing pain and risk of affecting permanent tooth germs.
- Permanent teeth have grown but baby teeth have not fallen out:Extracting baby teeth helps permanent teeth have space to grow in the correct position.
- Milk teeth loose for a long time:Causes discomfort, prevents chewing or has the risk of falling out when the child eats or sleeps.
- Baby teeth are seriously injured or broken:Early treatment is needed to limit pain, inflammation and damage to surrounding tissue.
- Indications for orthodontic support:Create space and orient permanent teeth to grow more conveniently.
How to care for children's teeth
Instruct children to brush their teeth twice a day with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and limit candy and sugary drinks. At the same time, children should have regular dental checkups to detect tooth decay early and monitor the tooth replacement process.
