Baby teeth should not be neglected just because "they will fall out anyway". A decayed baby tooth can cause a child pain, infection, and problems with eating and sleeping. Losing a baby tooth too early can narrow the space for the permanent tooth coming in underneath and cause it to come in crooked. It is recommended that you take your child to the dentist when the first tooth appears, or by their first birthday at the latest.
Why Are Baby Teeth Important?
- They allow the child to chew and eat properly.
- They help speech develop.
- They hold the space for the permanent teeth underneath. Permanent teeth need the baby teeth to come in in the right place.
Children have 20 baby teeth in total. Baby teeth usually start to fall out around age 6, beginning with the lower front teeth, and the change continues until about age 12. This means some baby molars stay in the mouth and do their job until the child is 10-12 years old.
What Happens If a Baby Tooth Decays?
The enamel of baby teeth is thinner than that of permanent teeth. Decay progresses faster and can quickly reach the nerve. Untreated decay can lead to:
- Pain, facial swelling and an abscess,
- Infection affecting the permanent tooth developing underneath,
- If the tooth has to be removed early, neighbouring teeth drifting into the gap and the space for the permanent tooth narrowing.
Treatment Options
- Fluoride application: Slows the progress of early decay and strengthens the enamel.
- Fissure sealants: The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of the first permanent molars, which usually come in around age 6, are sealed with a protective material before decay starts.
- Fillings: If the decay has not reached the nerve, it is removed and the tooth is filled.
- Nerve treatment in baby teeth: If decay has reached the nerve, treatments aimed at keeping the tooth (pulpotomy or root canal treatment) may be used instead of extraction. These are planned so as not to harm the permanent tooth underneath.
- Extraction and space maintainer: If the tooth cannot be saved, it is removed. When needed, a space maintainer is made so that the space for the permanent tooth does not close.
When Should the First Dental Visit Be?
The recommended time for the first visit is when the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday at the latest. The aim of an early visit is not treatment but to assess oral health and to give the family advice on diet and brushing. If a child's first meeting with the dentist is a painless check-up, it helps them cooperate more easily with treatment later. After that, a check-up every 6 months is usually recommended.
Preventing Decay at Home
- Brush the teeth twice a day from the moment the first tooth appears. Use a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for ages 3-6. An adult should do or supervise brushing until age 7-8.
- Do not put your child to sleep with a bottle of milk, fruit juice or sweetened drinks. Wipe or brush the teeth after night feeds.
- Limit sugary foods to mealtimes rather than spreading them through the day, and offer water between meals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dental X-rays harmful for children?
The radiation dose of dental X-rays is very low, and they are taken only when needed, with protective measures. X-rays are important for assessing decay between teeth that cannot be seen and the developing permanent teeth.
Do baby teeth really need fillings if they will fall out?
Usually, yes. Baby molars in particular stay in the mouth for years, and if their decay is not treated, pain and infection can develop. For teeth that are about to fall out very soon, the dentist may decide to wait.
My child is afraid of the dentist. What can I do?
It helps not to describe the dentist as a frightening figure at home, to use calm language instead of words like "needle" or "pain", and to make the first visits check-ups that do not involve treatment. Very young children, or children who cannot cooperate with treatment, may need to be referred to a specialist in paediatric dentistry (pedodontics).
The condition of your child's teeth can be determined at an examination. For more information see our children's dentistry page, and for fees in the TDB tariff our children's dental treatment fees article. To book an examination at our clinic in Güvenevler, Çankaya, call +90 540 640 6006.
This article is for general information only. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made by your dentist after an examination.
