Why are Baby Teeth Important?

It is a common misconception that baby teeth are not important because they fall out anyway. Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. They help children speak clearly, chew their food, and they also hold the space and guide the permanent teeth eruption when it is time for them to come in the mouth. When children lose teeth early, it can affect their self-esteem, cause crowding and could cause permanent teeth to be blocked out of the mouth. The last permanent teeth come in around 11 or 12 years old, so it is very important to keep those baby teeth around!