Do I have to fix a decayed baby tooth since it will be replaced?

Although it might initially seem like a waste of time and money, it is much better to fix a decayed baby tooth than to pull it.

Baby teeth serve a number of purposes. Of course, they are needed so your child can chew foods properly. But not a lot of people realize those baby teeth are there to preserve the space needed for the adult teeth that will eventually come in. A small or medium cavity in a baby tooth can be filled with a tooth-colored filling; this is a simple dental procedure that generally causes minimal distress to the child.

It’s best to fix the tooth decay because it is important that the tooth stays in place until it is ready to come out on its own. Because baby teeth are placeholders for adult teeth, if one is lost too soon, there may not be room for an adult tooth to grow in the space. This could mean additional dental treatment is required, such as space maintainers, because the problems caused by the early tooth loss are more difficult to correct than simply filling a tooth that has decay.

Protect those baby teeth by ensuring your child brushes and flosses regularly and visits the dentist twice each year for examinations and cleanings.