Primary teeth
Parents sometimes wonder why there is growing importance being placed on keeping a toddler's primary teeth in good condition until they are replaced by their permanent successors. Many parents still feel that the primary teeth are not important because they are going to fall out anyway. Besides the obvious importance of healthy primary teeth for eating, appearance and speech, they are also essential for guiding permanent teeth, which develop underneath, into their correct positions.
Early neglect or loss can result in a number of problems. If a child's primary molar tooth has to be extracted early due to severe tooth decay, then the guide for the permanent successor is lost. The space available for the permanent tooth can be reduced resulting in a crooked permanent tooth. The possible complications caused by crooked permanent teeth are enough motivation for most parents to take proper care of their child's first set of teeth.
