Have you ever wondered why we have baby teeth? Why our teeth fall out when we’re children, or why they even need to fall out at all? We always make such a big deal about losing our teeth as children; the Tooth Fairy even brings a treat or sometimes money!
Importance of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are very important for a number of reasons. First, it would be impossible for small children to learn how to speak or chew food properly with adult teeth that are too large for their tiny mouths.
However, the most important function of baby teeth is to preserve space in our mouth for adult teeth to grow into. While our adult teeth grow beneath our gums, our baby teeth are keeping the space available so that they can eventually erupt. Baby teeth distribute the chewing and speaking forces normally, strengthening the jawbones underneath. Lastly, baby teeth make the eruption of adult teeth much more organized.
What Happens Without Baby Teeth?
There are some reasons a baby tooth may be missing. A tooth may be knocked out by accident or need to be removed because of cavities or tooth decay. If this happens, some of the space meant for an adult tooth may be redistributed and this can lead to overcrowding in the mouth as the child ages and adult teeth begin to erupt.
If you believe your child is suffering from overcrowding in the mouth, please contact Garlock Orthodontics for an orthodontic evaluation. Our office is located here in Aurora, Colorado.