Why Children Need a Replacement After a Tooth Extraction

Tooth extractions are common in children's services due to severe decay, infection, crowding, or facial trauma. It is a common misconception that replacing a primary (baby) tooth is unnecessary. Replacing a missing primary tooth impacts a child's overall development more than you think.

Speech development

Primary teeth play a crucial role in children's speech and pronunciation development. They act as placeholders and help children learn to form sounds and words correctly. A tooth extraction often means the tooth is not ready to come out independently but needs to be forcibly removed. Therefore, this introduces speech and articulation problems and overall effective communication.

Secondary teeth alignment

Primary teeth act as a placeholder and a guide to secondary (adult) teeth. A tooth extraction takes teeth prematurely, causing the surrounding teeth to shift or try and drift to the newly empty space. This can result in misalignment, crookedness, or the overcrowding of secondary teeth. A replacement option such as a space maintainer can help preserve the alignment of the teeth and ensure there is ample space for the secondary teeth to erupt in their correct position fully.

Bone loss and facial development

Another common misconception is that children cannot experience jawbone loss. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, after a tooth extraction, jawbone loss is inevitable. The jawbone needs stimulation provided by teeth to maintain its strength and density. The longer the space remains unoccupied after a tooth extraction, the quicker the jawbone deteriorates. This loss not only affects the tooth alignment but, depending on the location of the missing tooth, facial symmetry.

Proper chewing and digestion

Primary teeth are essential for proper chewing and the digestion of foods. Normally, before a tooth extraction, the child may complain of sensitivity or discomfort when chewing or consuming hot or cold liquids. This discomfort can cause them to avoid certain foods necessary for their development. This behavior may continue after a tooth extraction, not because they have pain, but because the location of the new space makes it difficult to chew certain foods. By replacing a missing tooth, children can maintain their ability to chew effectively and enjoy a balanced diet, ensuring they receive the necessary nutrients for their still-growing bodies.

Negative impact on confidence

In addition to their physical development, a missing tooth, especially one in the front, can make a child feel self-conscious or embarrassed about their appearance. This can negatively impact their self-esteem, especially as they become more social and participate in school activities. If a child experiences a speech impediment after a tooth extraction, it can cause them to become more shy or reserved due to embarrassment over their new sound.