When do kids start losing baby teeth?
The baby teeth of a young child begin to fall out around age 6, whereas this can sometimes be delayed by as many as a year. On average, the first teeth to fall out are the two lowest permanent teeth (lower central incisors) and the two highest permanent teeth (upper central incisors), followed by the lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars. Permanent teeth will eventually push out baby teeth as they come in. Children often keep their teeth until they fall out or fall out from tooth decay or an accident. If they do lose their teeth at an early age, an adult tooth might begin growing into an empty space. This may crowd the permanent teeth, which could struggle to come in straight. When a child’s adult teeth come through, his/her child will have 32 new permanent teeth. When a child becomes a teenager, he/she will have all of his adult teeth in place.
Why Do Teeth Fall Out? And In What Order?
Often, baby teeth fall out because an adult tooth has already started to grow beneath it. The mature tooth may push the baby tooth up and out in order to make room for the new one. It is common for the process of losing baby teeth to begin with the teeth that grew in first. Many people can recall when their bottom two teeth were some of the first to appear. It is likely that one of those two teeth will be the first to go.
Once I Notice a Loose Tooth, How Long Will It Take to Fall Out?
The child’s baby teeth will start to loosen and fall out, and eventually, they will get a new set of adult teeth. No matter what, A child is now checking for teeth that have started to wiggle. Although a tooth may be loose, this does not mean it will fall out immediately. As we stated previously, teeth begin to fall out when an adult tooth starts to grow beneath the baby tooth. This causes the root of the baby tooth to loosen, and it will eventually dissolve or be absorbed back into the gums. The process of a tooth falling out can vary in time. It could take anywhere from a day or two to weeks. There is no set timeline for when a tooth will fall out. Once a tooth falls out, it can take just as much time for a new tooth to come in. It may be several months before the adult tooth fully grows into its rightful position. If more than half a year has passed, contact your dentist for a check-up.
What Should My Child Do After Their Tooth Falls Out?
After a tooth falls out, your child may be thrilled and possibly a bit nervous. Begin by telling them that you’re strong and made it through the ordeal. Once your child’s tooth is removed, cleanse and sanitize it. Remind them to gargle some saltwater, particularly if the tooth bled shortly following its extraction. You will likely need to remind them to be gentle when they brush their teeth after losing one. The gums will probably be sensitive, and vigorous brushing may cause injury to the delicate area. It’s a good idea to help your child with flossing and brushing after their first tooth loss, so they know how to properly care for their teeth. It is important to have a plan for what to do after your child’s tooth falls out. You should consider taking your kid to the dentist, using a home tooth kit, or giving them a toy replacement tooth. Be sure to praise your child for taking care of their teeth and encourage them to brush twice a day.
POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH THE LOSS OF BABY TEETH
If a baby tooth is not lost, or if a permanent tooth is not introduced in its place within 3 months, there could be many issues to address:
- Crowding: You should know that baby teeth help maintain space for adult teeth throughout the development of those teeth. Consequently, if baby teeth fall out before they’re ready, the space in the jaw could be lost, and that could cause crowding in the underlying adult teeth that are developing. Similarly, if baby teeth are very loose, the underlying adult ones could come in crooked. As time passes, submerged adult teeth may become too difficult to displace depending upon the circumstances, even if you already had several of them removed. However, orthodontic treatment continues to be necessary even if a few of the teeth have either been removed or crowded to start with. Other adult teeth can be present before the kid teeth are lost, creating what may look like two rows of teeth in some places. This temporary condition usually goes away, but if it lasts, it will need to be evaluated by an orthodontist.
- Premature tooth loss: An individual baby tooth may be lost before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Because the permanent tooth may grow excessively close to, or perhaps into, the spot where the child is lost, there may be cause for one to place a spacer in the area where the baby tooth was lost to prevent it from becoming crowded and to alleviate future troubles. If a child loses any teeth before the age of 4, it is recommended to consult an orthodontist to rule out any underlying dental problems.
- Late tooth loss: Occasionally, a child may reach the age of 8 without having lost any teeth and in such a case there is no cause for concern, but an orthodontist should be consulted and asked for an X-ray assessment.
- Missing teeth: A child’s baby teeth typically loosen and fall out when the permanent teeth below them start to come in. If a child is missing some permanent teeth, this process will not occur in those locations in the mouth.
- Extra Teeth: When this situation occurs, it can prevent the natural eruption process by which adult teeth will be triggered.
It is important to be aware of the potential problems that can arise from the loss of baby teeth. Baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth, and if they are lost too early, this can lead to problems with the alignment of adult teeth. Additionally, baby teeth help children learn to speak correctly, and if they are lost too early, this can lead to speech problems. Finally, baby teeth help children learn to chew correctly, and if they are lost too early, this can lead to problems with the alignment of the jaw.