Occasionally, a child will lose his baby teeth before his mouth is ready, which can lead to problems. These baby teeth are important because they encourage normal development in the jaw muscles and bones. Without these baby teeth, the child could end up with crooked or misplaced adult teeth unless space maintainers are used. In situations where your child has lost a baby tooth, there is a good chance that your pediatric dentist in Encinitas will use a space maintainer to prevent the mouth from becoming overcrowded.

Baby Teeth
Although baby teeth are temporary, they are still very important. These teeth prepare the mouth for the permanent teeth that will follow and ensure that everything is spaced properly. When a baby tooth falls out unexpectedly, other teeth move into this space. This can lead to overcrowding within the mouth, making it difficult for permanent teeth to come in straight.

Space Maintainers Can Help
In basic terms, a pediatric dentist in Encinitas will put a space maintainer in a child’s mouth to hold the empty space open for her adult teeth. Then, when the adult tooth is ready to come through the gums, it still has room to do so. This technique is much easier than going through with orthodontic treatment in the future, which is why it is a good idea to make regular dentist appointments for your child.

Dental Care
When your child loses a tooth before it is ready to come out, contact a dentist right away. You can make an appointment by calling Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry at 760-633-1131. At this appointment, the dentist will make sure that there is enough room for the child’s adult teeth to grow in naturally and might add a space maintainer if there isn’t enough room.