Caring for Your Child’s Space Maintainer: A Parent’s Guide to Long-Term Success

When a baby tooth is lost too soon, it can cause more than just a gap in your child’s smile—it can shift developing teeth and increase the need for braces down the road. That’s where space maintainers in Campbell CA and Los Gatos CA come in. At Campbell Pediatric Dentistry, we provide custom space maintainers designed to hold that space open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in.

If your child has recently received a space maintainer, or you’re planning for one, here’s everything you need to know to keep it working exactly as it should.

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What Is a Space Maintainer?

A space maintainer is a small dental appliance—either fixed or removable—used to preserve space in the mouth after a primary tooth is lost early. It ensures that nearby teeth don’t drift into the empty space, allowing room for the permanent tooth to erupt in the correct position.

Space maintainers are a simple and effective way to prevent future crowding or misalignment, reducing the need for orthodontic correction later on.

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What to Expect After Placement

It’s completely normal for your child to feel a bit of pressure or mild soreness for a day or two after getting their space maintainer. It may take a little time to get used to how it feels in the mouth. Encourage your child to chew carefully and avoid poking at the appliance with their tongue or fingers.

If needed, over-the-counter pain relievers like children’s Tylenol or ibuprofen can help ease initial discomfort.

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Diet Tips to Protect the Space Maintainer

To keep the appliance secure and avoid accidental damage, it’s important to follow these food-related guidelines:

• Avoid sticky or chewy foods like gum, caramel, gummy candies, or taffy—they can pull or loosen the device
• Stay away from very hard foods, including nuts, popcorn, and ice, which can break or shift the appliance
• Cut crunchy fruits and veggies like apples and carrots into small pieces to make chewing easier

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Oral Hygiene Guidelines

Keeping the area around the space maintainer clean is crucial for preventing gum irritation, decay, and infection.

• Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush, paying extra attention around the appliance and bands
• Floss daily—especially around teeth adjacent to the space maintainer—to remove food particles and reduce plaque
• Use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities in surrounding teeth

A healthy mouth means a longer-lasting, more effective space maintainer.

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What to Do If the Space Maintainer Breaks or Comes Loose

Space maintainers are durable, but they’re not indestructible. If the appliance loosens, breaks, or comes out completely:

• Remove it carefully if it has fully detached
• Store it safely in a clean container or envelope
• Call right away to schedule an adjustment, repair, or replacement

Delaying care can lead to unwanted tooth movement, which can make future treatment more complex and costly.

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Keep Your Child’s Smile on the Right Path

At Campbell Pediatric Dentistry, we’re committed to helping your child maintain a healthy, properly aligned smile from the very beginning. If you have any questions about caring for a space maintainer or need to schedule a check-up, we’re just a phone call away.

Contact us today to book your child’s next visit—and let’s make sure their smile stays right on track.