By Alexa Joy Sherman It’s easy to go gaga over your infant’s
gummy grin, but before you know it, she’ll have a full set of
new choppers. That should be something to smile about, too-if,
that is, all 20 primary teeth are strong and healthy. Alas,
early childhood caries (ECC), or tooth decay, is the most common
chronic childhood disease in the U.S., five times more common
than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. Part of
the problem: Parents may not realize how important baby teeth
are. “Moms and dads figure they’re just going to fall out
anyway,” says Arthur J. Nowak, DMD, executive director of the
American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD) and professor
emeritus of pediatric dentistry and pediatrics at the University
of Iowa in Iowa City. “But in addition to being the placeholders
for permanent teeth and jaw development, baby teeth are
important for healthy eating habits, speech and so many other
aspects of growth and development.” Cavities can be serious,
too. “Tooth decay can lead to pain, c