How Can Baby Teeth Damage Permanent Teeth?

Baby teeth help us with smiling and speech development and create a space for the adult teeth to develop. Cavities affect these temporary teeth similarly to permanent teeth. For example, when baby teeth cavities are left untreated for long, it declines the overall dental health of a kid.

Besides physical pain and emotional discomfort, the bacteria may spread to the nearby teeth. When this happens, it results in tooth abscess, tooth loss, or issues associated with jaw growth, structure, and occlusion. An abscess is a pus-filled infection that can occur on the underlying adult tooth.

It can prevent or delay the eruption of adult teeth or may result in permanent stains, malformation, or discoloration. Sometimes, you can only notice the symptoms of decay once it’s too late. Therefore, make sure you schedule a routine check-up and teeth cleaning near you for your kid from a pediatric specialist.

What Happens if Baby Tooth Cavity is Left Untreated?

Babies generally consume a high-sugar diet or lack sufficient oral care. It increases the formation of cavities, which goes beyond the baby teeth. As you know, a mouth full of cavities and decay has a high bacterial content.

When a new adult tooth erupts by age 6, the existing bacteria invade them. It results in cavities in the permanent teeth. The tooth decay from the primary teeth can move deeper into and through the root canals into the underlying bone. It creates an acidic environment around the newly erupted tooth.

Untreated caries cause long-term problems with dental health. Moreover, untreated cavities in primary teeth are more likely to receive orthodontic treatment later. The pediatric dentist near you uses root canal therapy to treat dental infections.

How Do Baby Cavities Affect Adult Teeth?

Let us explore how cavities in baby teeth affect permanent teeth and cause different issues:

Orthodontic Problems

A cavity in a baby tooth of a large size creates several orthodontic problems. For example, the nearby teeth start shifting to the vacant area behind the lost or missing primary tooth. Therefore, when the adult teeth develop, there is a lack of space, which results in misalignment of teeth.

Moreover, the misalignment of a single tooth significantly impacts the adjacent teeth as the mouth tries to adjust immediately. To address bite and tooth misalignment, the professional recommends orthodontic treatment.

Bad Dental Health Habits

The lack of or insufficient oral care is the main reason behind the development of cavities in baby teeth. Therefore, make sure you tell your children to floss and brush regularly. Remember, instilling the importance of good lifelong dental health habits in your kids early is the best way to prevent cavities.

Tooth Infection and Other Oral Health Problems

When you ignore cavities in baby teeth for a long time, it ultimately affects the overall dental health of your kid. The bacteria might result in a dental abscess in the underlying adult tooth. Other issues that might arise include extraction, prevention/delay of developing permanent teeth, etc. Teeth cleaning in Bloomfield, CT, can help.

How to Keep Baby Teeth Healthy?

Primary teeth are important to dental health besides helping your little one to speak, smile or chew. Therefore, it is essential to take care of their teeth to prevent damage to the permanent teeth.

Choose a Nutritious Diet

The best practice to improve your kid’s overall health is to eat a well-balanced diet. Also, restrict the amount of acid and sugar in your diet.

Follow a Healthy Routine

Another step to take to prevent baby tooth decay is to begin a brushing routine as soon as the frost tooth erupts. If your child is old enough to brush on their own, make sure they do it properly. Also, ensure your kids use a soft-bristled brush to clean their tongues, gums, and teeth twice a day.

Use Fluoride-Based Products

Getting sufficient fluoride can also help in preventing decay in children. Regular exposure blocks cavity formation and strengthens teeth. You can get fluoride treatment to meet the fluoride needs of your children.

See the Pediatric Dentist Routinely

As you know, healthy primary teeth set a robust foundation for strong adult teeth. Therefore, bring your kids regularly to the top pediatric dental office – Bloomfield Pediatric Dentistry.