Losing Baby Teeth: What to Expect

July 7, 2020

Filed under: Uncategorized — moultondentistry @ 8:34 pm
Girl missing tooth at the beach smiles after seeing Hoover children's dentist

Do you know when your son or daughter’s baby teeth should start falling out? As a parent, you undoubtedly want to do everything you can to keep your child’s oral health and development on track. While every individual tooth loss is unique, there are a few common factors to keep in mind that can help you ensure this exciting time goes smoothly for your child. Read on as your Hoover children’s dentist explains what you can expect when it comes to losing baby teeth and your little one’s growing smile.

How Does the Tooth Loss Process Work?

As a developing permanent tooth makes its way through the gums and into the mouth, it dissolves the roots of the baby tooth. Your child may start to notice that their tooth feels wobbly a few weeks before it’s ready to come out. As the adult tooth continues to come in and your child plays with their loose tooth, the roots will begin to let go. Some baby teeth will fall out all on their own, while others will need a little help.

When Do Baby Teeth Start to Fall Out?

Typically, every child begins to lose their baby teeth around the same time. You can usually expect your son or daughter to lose their baby teeth in the same order they came in. The first teeth children tend to lose are their lower central incisors, followed by the upper ones, between the ages of six and seven. By the time your little one is between 10 and 12 years old, they will likely lose their last baby teeth, which are typically the upper cuspid and the upper and lower primary molars.

As a Parent, What Can I Do to Help the Process Along?

When your son or daughter has a wiggly tooth, there are a few ways you can keep the tooth loss process on track, including:

  • Warn your child not to pull hard on the tooth: Pulling a baby tooth before its ready to come out can cause bleeding, pain, and potentially infection.
  • Ease any minimal bleeding or gum irritation with gauze: A slight amount of gum irritation and bleeding is natural when losing a baby tooth. Applying sterile gauze with clean hands and a little pressure should stop any superficial bleeding. If it doesn’t, you should call your dentist.
  • Remind your little one to practice great oral hygiene: While great oral hygiene is always important for your child, it’s especially important when they have a loose or missing baby tooth. Make sure they’re brushing and flossing thoroughly to prevent plaque and food debris from getting trapped in the small open space.

While baby teeth will usually fall out and be replaced by a permanent tooth without issue, complications can occasionally occur. Keep an eye on your son or daughter’s growing smile and call your Hoover children’s dentist right away if you have any concerns.

About the Practice

At Moulton Dentistry, we’re proud to offer a variety of specialized treatments for smiles of all ages in Hoover, AL and the surrounding communities. Dr. Marc Moulton has over 30 years of experience keeping smiles happy and healthy for a lifetime. He encourages all his patients to come in for a routine checkup every six months to catch any oral health issues as early as possible and hopefully prevent them from developing in the first place. If you have more questions about your child’s baby teeth, feel free to contact him via his website or at (205) 988-3360.

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