Children need strong, healthy teeth to chew their food, speak and have a good-looking smile. Pain and suffering due to untreated tooth and gum diseases can lead to problems in eating, speaking, and attending to learn. Baby teeth also keep a space in the jaw for the adult teeth. If a baby tooth is lost too early, the teeth beside it may drift into the empty space. When it’s time for the adult teeth to come in, there may not be enough room. This can make the teeth crooked or crowded. Good oral care can help protect children’s teeth for decades to come.