Why not ignore decayed baby teeth?

The myth that "baby teeth will fall out anyway, so there's no need to treat them" is dangerous. Tooth decay can spread to the nerve of the tooth, causing painful inflammation or fistula, and damaging the permanent tooth bud underneath.

Many parents still believe that baby teeth "will fall out anyway," so repairing them is not a priority. At The Clinic, however, we see the consequences of this misconception every day. Baby teeth are not just a "precursor" to adult teeth; they have essential functions that affect a child's health for life.

The foundation for permanent teeth

Baby teeth are not isolated in the mouth. Their roots are located in close proximity to the buds of future permanent teeth. If an untreated inflammation (abscess) develops on a baby tooth, the infection can spread to the developing permanent tooth and irreversibly damage its enamel or position.

Proper speech and jaw development

Teeth play a key role in speech formation. Premature loss of incisors due to decay can lead to lisping or incorrect speech habits. In addition, baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth. If a tooth has to be extracted too early, the surrounding teeth will shift into the gap and the permanent tooth will have nowhere to grow, resulting in complicated and expensive orthodontic treatment.

Mental health and overall health

Toothache in children often leads to refusal to eat, poor sleep and general irritability. Last but not least, there is the aesthetic aspect – children in a group notice decayed or missing teeth, which can negatively affect a child's self-confidence at an early age.

What can be done about it?

Prevention is always cheaper and less stressful than treatment in paediatric dentistry.

• First visit: Ideally with the first tooth erupted.
• Regularity: Check-ups every 6 months will help detect decay in its early stages, when treatment is completely painless.

Advice from The Clinic: Do not wait until your child starts complaining of pain. By that time, the decay is usually deep and affects the nerve. Modern dentistry can treat paediatric patients sensitively and without trauma.

Do not underestimate the health of your child's teeth.