In short, yes, baby teeth are very important. They do more than just help your child bite and chew their food. They help your child to develop proper speech patterns. They hold the space for the proper eruption of permanent teeth. And, they enhance your child’s adorable smile. Premature loss of baby teeth can have serious consequences, including alignment issues, which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. If your child loses a baby tooth too early, schedule an appointment. We may recommend a space maintainer, which will prevent adjacent teeth from shifting into the empty space, allowing the permanent tooth below to erupt as it should.