Why are baby teeth so important if they are going to fall out?

While it is true that Primary Teeth, i.e. “Baby Teeth”, will fall out, what most do not realize is that the majority of the primary teeth will not shed before age 10-13. Therefore, it is extremely important to maintain the health of the primary teeth at an early age. Neglected cavities can, and do lead to problems that affect developing the permanent teeth.
Primary teeth are important for proper chewing and eating, development of speech, maintaining space for the permanent teeth, permitting normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, and of course self-esteem.