Are baby teeth really that important to my child?

Primary, or “baby,” teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to erupt. It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturally. These teeth serve a number of critical functions.

Primary teeth:

• Maintain good nutrition by permitting your child to chew properly.
• Are involved in speech development.
• Help the permanent teeth by saving space for them. A healthy smile can help children feel good about the way they look to others.

More: The Pediatric Dentist