Baby teeth exist in the mouth from the time the child is 6 months old until the child finishes primary school at 12 years of age. They take turns to fall out to make way for the adult set. As such, baby teeth are also referred to as deciduous teeth, since they fall off like the leaves of deciduous trees in their own due time.
Despite their temporary nature, these baby teeth still serve several functions and should be maintained in good condition for the overall health of the child.
1. Children need baby teeth to eat comfortably, especially as they are actively growing. The ability to chew food is important in the breaking down of food to ensure nourishment of the child. Speech development for certain phonic sounds also requires the presence of our front teeth.
2. Baby teeth contribute to the overall facial aesthetics of the child. Early loss of teeth, or the presence of discoloured tooth decay, can impact how the child looks negatively, which may have an impact on their self-esteem.
3. The most common oral disease known in man is tooth decay, which can lead to infections if left untreated. Pain, swelling and early tooth loss may ensue. If infection spreads through the baby tooth to the developing adult tooth underneath, malformation of the adult tooth in shape, size and/or colour can develop. This malformed adult tooth is known as a Turner’s tooth and may require dental treatment to restore.
Turner’s tooth in the middle
4. Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth. Early loss of baby teeth, especially the molars, may lead to additional crowding in the adult teeth. This may necessitate dental treatment such as braces to correct the crowded teeth.
5. Children who have tooth decay in their baby teeth also have a higher risk of decay in their adult teeth, if dietary and hygiene habits do not change. The early development of a good oral health routine and a healthy, well-balanced diet are instrumental in keeping all our teeth healthy, right from the start.
Article contributed by Dr Melissa Tan, dated 27 March 2025.