Patient Question: “Why do you want to fill baby teeth? They will fall out anyway.”
Dr. Drews’s Answer: “I can understand why you would wonder about that. It is confusing when some of the teeth we call baby teeth may stay in a child’s mouth until he’s 12. While it is true that baby teeth do eventually come out, it is also true that they are important to your child in the meantime. Your son needs his baby teeth to speak clearly, eat comfortably, and smile for his school pictures. Also, his baby teeth are holding space for his permanent teeth. If one is lost, the others shift into the empty space. This often means a crooked smile in a child’s future. An investment in treatment now will save your son from dental problems down the road, including possible infection and discomfort.”
