While some parents may choose to hold onto their child’s first tooth as a memento, a kids dentist may suggest plenty of other good reasons to keep baby teeth. As medical and dental knowledge continues to expand, baby teeth often hold important information about the child's health.
Some parents may feel confusion about treating and preserving baby teeth. Although they are not permanent, these teeth play a vital part in the child's future dental health. Here are some common questions parents often ask:
A child’s baby teeth typically begin falling out between the ages of five and eight. This process usually continues until the child reaches the age of 12, and permanent teeth have replaced the baby teeth.
Trauma or certain medical conditions could also be the cause of tooth loss during early childhood. Whether the loss is due to natural growth or unusual circumstances, many dentists now recommend saving these teeth.
Important genetic material known as dental pulp is stored in the soft chamber in the middle of the tooth. This material may be helpful as science and medicine advance and could be used to treat certain diseases or grow replacement teeth, bone matter and other tissues.
Parents should note that baby teeth cannot simply be stored at home for these medical purposes. A cryogenic storage facility that specializes in preserving organic materials for medical use should be utilized. Parents interested in preserving their child’s baby teeth for future research and testing should discuss options with their child’s pediatric dentist. In some cases, it is best to preserve only specific teeth and to have them professionally extracted to keep vital components intact.
If an unforeseen impact or collision results in the loss of a baby tooth, it is important to bring the child to a kids dentist for evaluation along with the lost tooth. In this situation, it is critical to see a dentist within an hour of the injury and to preserve the tooth by keeping it clean and moist, either in the mouth or in a cup of milk. If a baby tooth comes loose because of infection or decay, the child should be seen for treatment to prevent the condition from spreading or worsening.
While the loss of baby teeth is often a milestone celebrated by children and their parents, it is likely that a kids dentist will recommend saving them for more than merely sentimental reasons. With the continuing advancements in stem cell research, preserving baby teeth may help progress the treatment of certain diseases and could even contribute to finding new cures. In the event of tooth loss due to injury or infection, it is imperative to bring the tooth to a pediatric dentist’s office for evaluation along with the affected child. Always consult a professional if there are any concerns surrounding the loss of a baby tooth and whether or not it should be preserved.
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