We smile when we are happy; when we have a healthy life. A smile without teeth is like a flower without fragrance. Teeth add fragrance to the smile. Teeth are among the most important organs of our body. Teeth play important roles in our ability to eat, speak, look good and stay healthy. Though, there is increase in awareness regarding oral health these days as compared to past few years, teeth still fall among one of the most neglected organs compared to other organs of our body. People do not seem to pay adequate attention to their oral health. There is an intimate connection between oral health and overall health.

Our teeth help us in chewing food which helps in digestion. Teeth take part in production of speech. Though, vocal cords are the principal organ for speech, it needs to work with the teeth to pronounce correctly. Teeth also maintain our facial profile and make our appearance attractive. Teeth also help us protect our tongue and internal organs behind the teeth in the mouth. Sometimes, teeth can also be used as  ‘weapons’ for protection.

Humans have two sets of teeth: primary (baby/milk) teeth and permanent teeth. People do not usually appear to pay adequate attention and care for primary teeth. They think that ultimately it is going to be replaced by permanent teeth, so they do not need to take care about them. In dental hospitals and clinics, parents most often come with their child when the child experiences pain and infections due to decaying teeth, and they ask for extraction of those primary teeth. They do not know the roles and importance of primary teeth. Primary teeth are as important for children as permanent teeth for adults and elders. Primary teeth help them chew, to speak and to smile during their childhood.

And, the most important function of primary teeth is that they save space for the child’s future permanent teeth. Primary teeth usually remain in the child’s mouth until a permanent tooth underneath it is fully ready to erupt through the gums. If a child loses a primary tooth too early for any reason either accident or dental before the permanent teeth are ready to erupt, it usually leads to deterioration of permanent teeth resulting in crowding, impaction, and malocclusion (crooked teeth).

If they want correction in their later life, they need to go for orthodontic and surgical treatments that can be a financial burden for them as such treatment takes a long duration and costs much.  We need to be more concerned towards our oral health.