Is it necessary to have cavities in the baby teeth repaired?

乳牙蛀成了洞还有必要补上吗？

If the baby teeth are going to fall out, I don't think that it matters if they become decayed.

如果乳牙是要脱落的，我想蛀了也没有关系呀？

You're mistaken about that. Cavities in the baby teeth should be treated for two reasons.

对于这一点你是错的，乳牙之所以要治疗有以下两个原因：

First of all, the tooth may become infected if the decay is severe. Infection from a tooth might be painful and harmful to a child's general health.

首先，假如蛀得太厉害了，对于其他牙齿是会感染的，牙齿感染可能会痛，对孩子的全身健康也有害。

The second reason is that premature loss of baby teeth can result in crooked permanent teeth.

第二个原因是乳牙过早脱落会使恒牙长成阻生齿。

For which teeth is the most important?

哪一颗牙齿最重要？

This is particularly important in the permanent first molar (six year molar), and the deciduous second molar. If the permanent first molar moves forward because the deciduous second molar has been lost too soon. the length of the dental arch will be shortened. If that happens, there may not be space for all the permanent teeth.

恒牙的第一颗磨牙（六岁磨牙）和乳牙的第二颗磨牙最重要，假如恒牙第一颗磨牙因为乳牙的第二颗磨牙过早脱落而向前移动，那么齿弓的长度就要缩短，假如齿弓缩短了，那么对于所有的恒牙来说，空隙就会不够了。

And what do you do if there is not enough space?

假如空隙不够你就会怎么做？

A space maintainer is needed if certain baby teeth are lost too soon. A space retainer is needed when there isn't enough space. In the way, the dental arch is lengthened and space is made for the teeth to grow normally.

若有些乳牙过早脱落，那么就需要空隙保持器，当空隙不够的时候就需要用空隙撑开器，用这种办法齿弓就可以弄长，那么就可以为牙齿的正常的发展腾出空隙。

I never realized that baby teeth are so important.

我过去一直没有认识到乳牙是这么重要。

Yes. Deciduous teeth are very important. Be sure that all of your children brush their teeth well. Don't give them too many sweet foods. Also, be sure that they have a dental examination every six months. Use toothpaste that has a fluoride in it to help strengthen the tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

是的，乳牙确实非常重要，一定要做到使你的孩子们把牙齿刷好，不要给他们吃太多的甜东西，还有，一定让他们每六个月到牙医那里检查一次，要用含有氟化物的牙膏，以增强牙齿的珐琅和防止蛀牙。

I see. We do not use fluoride toothpaste. I didn't know it is so helpful.

明白了，我们没有用含氟化物的牙膏，我不知道这种牙膏这么有用。

Fluoride that's applied to the teeth by a dentist or dental hygienist is also helpful. Fluoride in a child's drinking water is the third way to strengthen the teeth. It's the most effective way to prevent cavities. Ideally, all three methods of applying fluoride should be used.

由牙医或医生助理给牙齿涂上氟化物也有效果，第三种增强牙齿的方法是在孩子们喝的水中放入氟化物，这是防止蛀牙的最好办法，最理想的是三种使用氟化物的办法都探用。

As for now, Doctor, what is the best thing to do?

就说现在吧，最好的办法是什么？

There are many things that I have to do before I make a diagnosis and treatment plan for your son.

在我给你的儿子作出诊断和治疗计划之前，我要做好些事。