Do baby teeth have roots? This is a question that many parents ask, and it is a valid one. After all, when baby teeth eventually fall out, no roots are actually present. The answer is yes – baby teeth do have roots, they just reabsorb in the body when your tooth is falling out. In this article, we will discuss the role of baby teeth roots and why they are important. We’ll also discuss how the body gets rid of them before your teeth fall out.
Why Are Baby Teeth Roots Important
Baby teeth in general are extremely important for a few reasons. For one, they help your child learn to chew and speak correctly. They also hold space in the jaw for adult teeth to come in later on. If baby teeth are lost too early, the adult teeth may come in crooked or crowded. This is why it’s so important to take care of baby teeth and brush them twice a day just like regular teeth.
The roots of baby teeth are important because they help to anchor your baby teeth in place. They also help to stimulate the bone and gum tissue around the tooth. This stimulation is important for the development of permanent teeth. Without these roots, baby teeth would simply fall out on their own.
How Does the Body Get Rid of Baby Teeth Roots
The body gets rid of baby teeth roots in a process called resorption. This is when the body breaks down and absorbs the root of the tooth back into the jawbone. The cells that are responsible for this reabsorption are known as odontoclasts. The exact way in which odontoclasts break down the tooth is quite complex but extremely interesting! Summarized, they send out acidic enzymes that break down the tooth enamel and dentin. Once the tooth is sufficiently weakened, the odontoclasts can then resorb the root of the tooth back into the jawbone.
The exact process for the reabsorption of baby teeth roots is still not fully understood. For example, determining how the body knows when to reabsorb roots, how the acid doesn’t breakdown other roots, and the exact reason why adult teeth are not affected in the same way are all questions that scientists are still trying to answer.
Baby teeth roots getting reabsorbed is a natural process that happens when baby teeth are falling out and are replaced by permanent teeth. It usually starts around the age of 6 and can take up to another 6 years to complete. The exact shedding schedule of primary teeth (baby teeth) is found below:
Closing Thoughts
So do baby teeth have roots? Yes, they do. Baby teeth play an important role in the development of your child’s mouth and jaw. Without them, adult teeth may come in crooked or crowded. The roots of baby teeth are important because they help to anchor your baby teeth in place and stimulate the bone and gum tissue around the tooth. The body gets rid of baby teeth roots through a process called resorption, where the root of the tooth is reabsorbed back into the jawbone.
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No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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