How Can You Know If Your Child Needs a Space Maintainer? 

Losing a baby tooth before it is ready to fall out naturally can impact your child’s oral health and development. Our dedicated team at Smiley Kids Dental may recommend a space maintainer to preserve the gap, safeguarding your child’s future smile. Let us take a closer look at space maintainers and why your child may need one.

What Are Space Maintainers?

Your little one’s baby teeth support chewing and play a role in speech development. They also preserve the space the permanent teeth need to come into their proper position. If a baby tooth is lost before its time, the remaining teeth may shift toward the gap, leading to crooked and crowded teeth and problems with the bite. This usually translates to the need for future orthodontic treatment. 

A space maintainer is an orthodontic device that maintains the space left by a missing baby tooth, ensuring its adult replacement has the room it needs to come in the correct position. This simple intervention can ensure your child’s oral development stays on track and significantly reduce the likelihood of extensive orthodontic treatment later in life. 

Will Your Child Need a Space Maintainer?

Determining whether your little one needs a space maintainer depends on several factors. Losing a front tooth may not require a space maintainer, unlike the back teeth, which play a critical role in maintaining the alignment of your child’s smile. It’s also important to consider the age at which a tooth is lost. Early loss of a baby tooth can significantly impact the alignment of your child’s future smile. If, however, the tooth loss occurs close to when the permanent replacement is ready to emerge, space maintenance may not be necessary. 

If a tooth is expected to erupt significantly later than the neighboring teeth, we may recommend a space maintainer to safeguard your child’s smile. Our dedicated dentists will evaluate your little one’s needs and help you determine whether a space maintainer is necessary. 

Adjusting to a Space Maintainer

A properly fitted space maintainer should not cause any pain or discomfort. However, your little one may need a brief adjustment period, during which it may feel awkward to chew and speak naturally. In just a few days, your child will become acclimated with the space maintainer and will likely forget it is there. If the discomfort persists or if you have any questions, make sure to let us know.

Caring for Space Maintainers

Encourage your child to brush and floss daily and steer clear from chewy or hard foods like caramel or hard candy. It’s also important to keep up with your little one’s regular dental exams and cleanings. Our dedicated dentists and team will ensure your little one’s space maintainers and natural teeth stay in tip-top shape.

Space Maintainers Near Me in Phoenix, AZ

If your child loses a tooth prematurely, contact Smiley Kids Dental to schedule a consultation. One of our experienced dentists will evaluate your little one’s needs and help you determine whether a space maintainer is necessary to guide proper growth and development. We are committed to providing your child with care and service that not only meet but exceed your expectations. We invite you to call xxx-xxx-xxxx to schedule your child’s appointment or request one online today.