Though baby teeth are eventually lost, it is very important for us parents to take protective measures in keeping them healthy. They help your child speak, chew, and hold the space for their permanent teeth.
Baby teeth start to come in at around 6 months of age and naturally shed at various times throughout childhood. When your child loses a baby tooth prematurely due to decay, injury, or accident, your pediatric dentist may recommend a space maintainer to keep open the space left by the missing tooth and prevent any misalignment.
When a baby tooth is lost too early, the adjacent teeth can move into spaces intended for other teeth. A space maintainer will prevent the other teeth to shift unnecessarily and will guide the permanent tooth to erupt in the correct spot.
Not every prematurely lost tooth calls for a space maintainer. The necessity will depend on the age of your child and type of tooth that was lost. If the permanent tooth is about to erupt soon, your child’s pediatric dentist may not recommend it. If one of the four front teeth is lost early, the space will naturally stay open until the permanent tooth erupts. It is best to consult your child’s dentist to determine if a space maintainer is a suitable option.