Common Questions at Weymouth Street Paediatric Dentistry
9. My child has a cavity in a baby tooth. Does it need to be filled?
Primary, or "baby," teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, they also maintain the space for when the permanent successor tooth erupts. Children start losing baby teeth from the age of 6 years, but the primary molars are not lost until 10-12 years of age. If a cavity is not filled, this can lead to pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health and premature loss of teeth. This in turn can lead to space loss and perhaps create orthodontic problems in the future.
