“It’s only a milk tooth—it will fall out anyway.”

It’s a common thought among parents when their child develops a cavity or toothache. But waiting for a milk tooth to fall out can sometimes allow a small dental problem to become painful or complicated.

Milk teeth, also called primary or baby teeth, are temporary—but they are far from unimportant. They help children eat, speak, smile, and maintain the right conditions for their permanent teeth to develop. That is why caring for them matters.