There are several differences between baby teeth and adult teeth which is why pediatric dentists have advanced training in how to treat them!
- There are 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth. The baby molars are replaced by premolar permanent teeth and permanent molars erupt behind the row of baby teeth and do not replace any baby teeth.
- Baby teeth have much thinner enamel than permanent teeth, which is why once a cavity forms in a baby tooth it typically gets bigger quicker in a baby tooth than a permanent tooth.
- Baby teeth are naturally whiter than permanent teeth. When a child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth, the color difference may be noticeable. However, once all permanent teeth grow in, the color becomes much less noticeable.
But they’re only baby teeth; why baby teeth are important?
- Baby teeth are important for overall health. Tooth decay in baby teeth can lead to infections, pain, and fever. If left untreated, the infection from tooth decay can spread to other parts of the head and neck, causing severe swelling.
- Baby teeth are essential for chewing, which is important for proper nutrition and healthy digestion. They also play a role in speech development. Losing baby teeth too early can lead to difficulties in speaking clearly.
- Baby teeth hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth that will emerge later. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space, causing issues with the eruption of the permanent teeth and leading to crowding.