Quick answer: Milk teeth guide the permanent teeth into position, allow proper chewing and speech, and shape the jaw. A decayed baby tooth is not a tooth to ignore — infection can damage the adult tooth forming underneath, and losing one early causes crowding that later needs braces. The last milk teeth stay in the mouth until age 11–12.
"It's only a milk tooth — it'll fall out anyway." It is the most common and most costly misconception in children's dentistry. Here is what those twenty small teeth are actually doing.
Five jobs milk teeth do
- Holding space. Each baby tooth reserves the exact space for the permanent tooth beneath it. Lose one early and neighbouring teeth drift into the gap.
- Chewing and nutrition. A child with painful teeth avoids fruit, vegetables and protein — the foods that need chewing.
- Speech. Front teeth are needed to form 's', 'f', 'th' and 'v' sounds correctly during the years speech is developing.
- Jaw development. Chewing stimulates the growth of both jaws to their correct width.
- Confidence and appearance. Visibly decayed or missing front teeth affect how a child smiles, speaks and interacts at school.
How long milk teeth actually stay
| Tooth | Erupts | Falls out |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors (front) | 6–12 months | 6–7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 9–16 months | 7–8 years |
| First molars | 13–19 months | 9–11 years |
| Canines | 16–23 months | 10–12 years |
| Second molars | 23–33 months | 10–12 years |
Note the last two rows: the back milk teeth stay in the mouth for a full decade. A second molar decayed at age 4 has eight more years of work to do. For the full timeline see our baby teeth eruption chart.
What happens when a milk tooth is lost too early
- Adjacent teeth tip and drift into the space within months
- The permanent tooth erupts crooked, blocked out, or not at all
- Crowding develops that later needs braces or extractions
- Chewing shifts to the other side, affecting jaw symmetry
This is why we fit a space maintainer — a small, comfortable appliance that holds the gap open until the adult tooth arrives.
Infection in a milk tooth reaches the adult tooth
The developing permanent tooth sits directly beneath the root of its milk predecessor. A long-standing abscess can disturb its enamel formation, producing a permanently discoloured or malformed adult tooth (Turner's tooth). Treating a baby tooth is therefore protecting a tooth your child will keep for sixty years.
Treating decay in milk teeth
| Stage of decay | Treatment | Typical cost in Bharuch (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| White spot (earliest) | Fluoride varnish and diet change — reversible | ₹500 – ₹1,000 |
| Small cavity | Tooth-coloured filling | ₹800 – ₹2,000 |
| Deep cavity into the nerve | Pulpectomy with a crown | ₹2,500 – ₹5,000 |
| Unrestorable tooth | Extraction plus space maintainer | ₹1,000 – ₹3,500 |
How to protect them
Brush twice daily with the right amount of fluoride toothpaste, avoid night bottles, keep sugar to mealtimes, seal the molars, and have a check-up every six months from age 1. The full routine is in our guide to preventing tooth decay in children, and the decision on an existing cavity is covered in treat it or wait?.
Worried about your child's teeth?
Dr. Yash Lalwani, M.D.S. Pediatric Dentist, sees children from Bharuch, Ankleshwar, Jambusar and nearby towns at Parle Point, Shravan Chowkdi. Call or WhatsApp +91 99240 56983 for a same-week appointment.
Frequently asked questions
Are milk teeth really important if they fall out?
Yes. They hold space for the permanent teeth, allow chewing and clear speech, and guide jaw growth. The back milk teeth stay until age 10–12.
How many milk teeth does a child have?
Twenty — ten in each jaw. Permanent teeth number 32 including wisdom teeth.
When do milk teeth start falling out?
The lower front teeth usually loosen around age 6, and the last back milk teeth are shed at 10–12 years.
Should a decayed milk tooth be filled or removed?
Filled or treated wherever possible. Extraction is a last resort because early loss causes crowding and may require a space maintainer and braces later.
Can infection in a baby tooth harm the permanent tooth?
Yes. A long-standing abscess can disturb enamel formation in the developing adult tooth beneath, causing permanent discolouration or defects.
What is a space maintainer?
A small appliance fitted after early loss of a milk tooth to hold the gap open so the permanent tooth can erupt in the right position.
Why are my child's permanent teeth coming in behind the baby teeth?
This 'shark tooth' pattern is common in the lower front. If the baby tooth is not loosening within a few weeks, it should be assessed and may need removal.
Do milk teeth need flossing?
Yes, once any two teeth touch each other — that is where decay between teeth begins and a brush cannot reach.
Is it normal for milk teeth to have gaps?
Yes, and it is a good sign. Spacing in the milk dentition usually means there will be enough room for the larger permanent teeth.
How much does treating a baby tooth cavity cost in Bharuch?
A tooth-coloured filling is typically ₹800–₹2,000 and a pulpectomy with a crown ₹2,500–₹5,000 in Bharuch in 2026.
Have a question about your child's dental care?
Dr. Yash and our team are happy to help. Reach out on WhatsApp for a quick reply.
Ask the dentist