{"id":51172,"date":"2026-04-13T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/should-baby-teeth-be-treated\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T01:53:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-12T23:53:54","slug":"should-baby-teeth-be-treated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/should-baby-teeth-be-treated\/","title":{"rendered":"Should baby teeth be treated?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>body.single-post .dgva-btn{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;padding:16px 36px;font-weight:800;font-size:16px;text-decoration:none;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1px;transition:transform .2s,box-shadow .2s,background .2s}body.single-post .dgva-btn:hover{transform:translateY(-2px);box-shadow:0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,.15)}body.single-post .dgva-btn-sm{padding:12px 24px;font-size:13px}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz{background:#BF00BF;padding:40px 32px;text-align:center;margin:10px 0 0}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz .dgva-label{font-size:14px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.7);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:2px;margin-bottom:12px;font-weight:600}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz h3{color:#fff;font-size:28px;font-weight:800;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.3}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz p{color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);font-size:16px;margin-bottom:24px}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz .dgva-btn{background:#fff;color:#BF00BF}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz .dgva-btn:hover{background:#f5f5f5}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien{background:#fdf0f3;padding:32px;margin:10px 0 0;display:flex;gap:24px;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien img{width:100px;height:100px;border-radius:50%;object-fit:cover;flex-shrink:0}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien .dgva-label{font-size:13px;color:#BF00BF;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:1.5px;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:6px}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien 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.dgva-btn:hover{background:#444}body.single-post .dgva-cta-price .dgva-note{font-size:13px;color:rgba(45,45,45,.65);margin-top:16px}body.single-post .dgva-next-step{padding:40px 0;margin:30px 0 0}body.single-post .dgva-next-step>h3{font-size:26px;font-weight:800;color:#353535;margin-bottom:28px;text-align:center}body.single-post .dgva-next-step-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:6px}body.single-post .dgva-next-step-card{padding:36px 24px;text-align:center}body.single-post .dgva-next-step-card h4{font-size:22px;font-weight:800;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:1.2}body.single-post .dgva-next-step-card p{font-size:13px;margin-bottom:22px;line-height:1.5}body.single-post .dgva-card-violet{background:#C685D5}body.single-post .dgva-card-violet h4,body.single-post .dgva-card-violet p{color:#fff}body.single-post .dgva-card-violet .dgva-btn{background:#fff;color:#C685D5}body.single-post .dgva-card-violet .dgva-btn:hover{background:#f5f5f5}body.single-post .dgva-card-fuchsia{background:#BF00BF}body.single-post .dgva-card-fuchsia h4,body.single-post .dgva-card-fuchsia p{color:#fff}body.single-post .dgva-card-fuchsia .dgva-btn{background:#fff;color:#BF00BF}body.single-post .dgva-card-fuchsia .dgva-btn:hover{background:#f5f5f5}body.single-post .dgva-card-gold{background:#EBC38C}body.single-post .dgva-card-gold h4,body.single-post .dgva-card-gold p{color:#2d2d2d}body.single-post .dgva-card-gold .dgva-btn{background:#2d2d2d;color:#fff}body.single-post .dgva-card-gold .dgva-btn:hover{background:#444}body.single-post .wp-block-list:not(.wp-block-columns .wp-block-list){border-left:2px solid #c4707c;padding-left:30px;margin-left:30px;list-style:none}body.single-post .wp-block-list:not(.wp-block-columns .wp-block-list) li{margin-bottom:2px;padding-left:0;position:relative}body.single-post .wp-block-list:not(.wp-block-columns .wp-block-list) li::before{content:\"\\2022\";color:#c4707c;font-weight:700;position:absolute;left:-14px}@media(max-width:768px){body.single-post .dgva-next-step-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien{flex-direction:column;text-align:center}body.single-post .dgva-cta-praticien img{margin:0 auto}body.single-post .dgva-cta-quiz h3{font-size:22px}body.single-post .dgva-cta-price .dgva-price{font-size:32px}}<\/style>\n\n<p>I often hear from young parents: <br\/>&#8220;Why spend money and time treating baby teeth, when they will soon fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth?&#8221; <br\/>Yes, the importance of baby teeth health is often underestimated!<\/p>\n\n<p>Of course, your child&#8217;s baby teeth will fall out, but only when a permanent tooth begins to erupt, and not due to cavities or, more generally, a lack of care for the young patient&#8217;s oral health. Let&#8217;s look at this in detail. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:70px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns link has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-d8822c01fe14c1322494e709513feb10 is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"color:#c4707c;background-color:#c4707d12\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>Table of Contents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a class=\"sommaire-links\" href=\"#pourquoi-dents-de-lait\" data-type=\"internal\">What are baby teeth for?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a class=\"sommaire-links\" href=\"#les-caries-des-enfants\">Children&#8217;s Cavities<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a class=\"sommaire-links\" href=\"#maintien-espace-interdentaire\" data-type=\"internal\">Maintaining Interdental Space<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a class=\"sommaire-links\" href=\"#conclusion\" data-type=\"internal\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:80px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pourquoi-dents-de-lait\" style=\"font-size:28px\">What are baby teeth for?<\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>Baby teeth have a relatively short life cycle, yet they fulfill three important functions:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Mastication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Space maintainer for the permanent tooth (preparing the shape of the child&#8217;s mouth)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stimulator of bone growth around the tooth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"810\" src=\"https:\/\/dgva.bmajor.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44815\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva-300x203.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva-1024x691.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva-150x101.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Eruption-dents-de-lait-Dental-Geneva-768x518.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">How baby teeth and new teeth develop <br\/>(illustration Z. Markina)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"les-caries-des-enfants\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Children&#8217;s Cavities<\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>Decayed baby teeth are particularly painful: this is because the pulp chamber is larger and, consequently, the hard part is thinner compared to a permanent tooth. The risk of pulpal infection is therefore very high, as is the probability of painful abscesses or fistulas.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The cause of baby teeth cavities is the same as for permanent teeth: enamel erosion by bacteria and the accumulation of plaque not removed due to poor oral hygiene. In children under 3 or 4 years old, this is often referred to as &#8220;baby bottle tooth decay,&#8221; stemming from the habit of letting the child fall asleep sucking on a bottle with milk, honey, or other sugary and viscous substances.  <\/p>\n\n<p>The onset of the carious process is thus favored from a very young age. I recommend paying particular attention to the dental health of young patients and scheduling the first visit around 3 years old, to familiarize them with the dentist and prevent what could become complications at all levels. <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"740\" src=\"https:\/\/dgva.bmajor.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva-1024x631.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva-150x93.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Anatomie-composition-dent-Dental-Geneva-768x474.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"maintien-espace-interdentaire\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Maintaining Interdental Space<\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>If regular check-ups are not performed, there is a risk of compromising the proper eruption of permanent teeth and, consequently, the need for longer and more invasive dental treatments in adulthood.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1688\" height=\"1126\" src=\"https:\/\/dgva.bmajor.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44820\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva.jpg 1688w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Radio-panoramique-dents-lait-Dental-Geneva-1536x1025.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1688px) 100vw, 1688px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Panoramic X-ray showing the eruption of permanent teeth under baby teeth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p>For example, the first molars (baby teeth) must remain in place until 11 or 12 years old before being replaced by permanent teeth. Premature loss can cause a shift in the dentition and a lack of space when new teeth erupt. This dental malposition is very long to correct with orthodontic appliances.  <\/p>\n\n<p>Nevertheless, if the extraction of a baby tooth could not be avoided, we will use a space maintainer while waiting for the new tooth to erupt.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1064\" src=\"https:\/\/dgva.bmajor.digital\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-44822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mainteneur-espace-dent-dental-geneva-1-1536x1021.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Space Maintainer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<div class=\"dgva-cta-praticien\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Dr-Aurelija-Stravinskaite-dentiste-Dental-Geneva.webp\" alt=\"Dr. Aurelija Stravinskaite, dentist at Dental Geneva\"\/>\n<div class=\"dgva-info\">\n<div class=\"dgva-label\">Your practitioner<\/div>\n<h3>Dr. Aurelija Stravinskaite<\/h3>\n<p>General dentist. Dental Geneva, Geneva city center. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/contact\/#rendez-vous-dental-geneva\" data-cta=\"praticien-rdv\" data-campaign=\"faut-il-soigner-les-dents-de-laits\" class=\"dgva-btn\">Book an appointment <span>\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"conclusion\" style=\"font-size:28px\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In childhood, not all of a child&#8217;s teeth are baby teeth. From 5-6 years old, some are permanent. <br\/><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is essential to treat baby teeth to prevent permanent tooth problems in the future.<br\/><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One must try to maintain the baby tooth until its natural resorption, in order to preserve space for the permanent tooth, so it must be treated.<br\/><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The key to healthy baby and permanent teeth is good dental hygiene. Remember that cavities form under plaque! <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<div class=\"dgva-next-step\">\n<h3>What&#8217;s next?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"dgva-next-step-grid\">\n<div class=\"dgva-next-step-card dgva-card-violet\">\n<h4>Continue<br\/>reading<\/h4>\n<p>Children&#8217;s orthodontics, cavities,<br\/>hygiene, prevention<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/blog-tips\/\" data-cta=\"nextstep-articles\" data-campaign=\"faut-il-soigner-les-dents-de-laits\" class=\"dgva-btn dgva-btn-sm\">Our articles <span>\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dgva-next-step-card dgva-card-fuchsia\">\n<h4>Learn<br\/>more<\/h4>\n<p>General dentistry services in Geneva<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/general-dentistry\/\" data-cta=\"nextstep-quiz\" data-campaign=\"faut-il-soigner-les-dents-de-laits\" class=\"dgva-btn dgva-btn-sm\">General dentistry <span>\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dgva-next-step-card dgva-card-gold\">\n<h4>Book<br\/>an appointment<\/h4>\n<p>Dr. Aurelija Stravinskaite. Pediatric consultation<br\/>+ children&#8217;s dental assessment <\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/contact\/#rendez-vous-dental-geneva\" data-cta=\"nextstep-rdv\" data-campaign=\"faut-il-soigner-les-dents-de-laits\" class=\"dgva-btn dgva-btn-sm\">Book an appointment <span>\u2192<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Of course, your child&#8217;s baby teeth will fall out, but only when a permanent tooth begins to erupt, and not due to cavities or, more generally, a lack of care for the young patient&#8217;s oral health. Let&#8217;s look at this in detail.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":43819,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-orthodontics-geneva"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51172"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":52002,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51172\/revisions\/52002"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43819"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dentalgeneva.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}