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Maintaining healthy baby teeth is essential for your child’s oral health and development. If a tooth is lost prematurely, Dr. Nadia Bala or Dr. Greg Allen may recommend placing a dental space maintainer. Our goal is to prevent complications resulting from early baby tooth loss. Visit Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos in beautiful, sunny California to keep your child's smile on track!
How Do Baby Teeth Contribute to Your Child's Oral Health?
Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they are integral to your child’s future oral health. These tiny pearly whites help in the development of the facial muscles and jawbone. They also play a role in speech development and help your child chew without pain, ensuring adequate nutrition to grow healthy and strong.
One of the essential functions of baby teeth is maintaining the space the adult teeth need to come in and guiding them into their correct position. If your child loses a baby tooth before its replacement is ready to come in, the neighboring teeth may drift toward the gap. That can lead to a permanent tooth that is impacted or stuck in the bone, requiring surgical and orthodontic care later on.
What Are Space Maintainers?
Space maintainers or spacers are custom-made fixed or removable oral appliances used to maintain the space if a primary tooth falls out prematurely. Removable space maintainers are easy to take to clean, but your little one must wear them as directed. Fixed space maintainers, on the other hand, are cemented in place and can only be taken out by a dental professional. The type of space maintainer we recommend will depend on your child's unique needs.
Space maintainers are essential tools in orthodontics because they keep the adjacent teeth from shifting around, preventing the complications and future surgical needs that often follow tooth loss. They help ensure the adult teeth come in straight and in alignment, even when there are large gaps in your child's smile. Space maintainers significantly reduce or even eliminate the chances of your child needing braces and oral surgery, which can be expensive and uncomfortable.
How Long Are Space Maintainers Worn?
Your child will need to keep the space maintainer in place until the new adult tooth is ready to come in. How long that takes can vary depending on the child's age and the location of the missing tooth. Dr. Nadia Bala and Dr. Greg Allen are always happy to answer your questions and address your concerns.
Do Space Maintainers Need Special Care?
A space maintainer may feel a little awkward at first, but your child won’t notice it is there after a few days. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits, including regular brushing and flossing, to keep the area around the space maintainer clean. Make sure your little one avoids sticky sweets, chewing gum, or pushing down on the space maintainer with the tongue or fingers.
One of the most important things to do for your child's oral health is to visit Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos for routine dental exams and cleanings. Our dedicated pediatric dentists and team will monitor your child’s oral health and ensure the space maintainer stays in tip-top shape.
Space Maintainers Near Me in San Marcos, California
At Pediatric Dentistry of San Marcos, we believe every child deserves a beautiful, healthy smile. Our pediatric dentists and team are pleased to offer dental space maintainers custom-created for your child's smile. We are all about setting the stage for long-term oral health.
Looking for exceptional care from the best pediatric dentists in San Marcos? We invite you to call 760-798-2825 to schedule your child's appointment or complete our online appointment request form today!
We're Ready For Your Ducklings!
We are excited to care for little ones and be part of their journey to bright and healthy smiles. Follow the link to request an appointment that best fits your busy schedule. We can’t wait to meet you!
