Remember the excitement when your baby’s first tooth popped up? And then another, and another, and before you knew it, your baby turned five three years old and has a full baby set of adorable teeth? Well, just as those baby teeth coming in were milestones to take note of, so is the time when they lose their baby teeth!
Amid all the excitement, some children are especially fearful of losing their first baby tooth. There are some things to keep in mind to help ease your mind, as well as your child’s.
When will my child start losing baby teeth?
Most children start losing their first set of teeth around age 6 or 7, but there are many reasons why your child may start earlier or later than the average. Make sure your child has good brushing and flossing habits, and sees a pediatric dentist regularly. This way, you’ll avoid any signs of infection or issues that could prevent or delay the baby teeth coming loose.
A baby tooth doesn’t usually loosen until the permanent tooth below it has started to push it out of the socket. It’s usually usual? that the first teeth to fall out are the ones that came in first, so the lower front two, then the upper, and so on. Just because you discover a loose tooth, don’t expect it to come out right away. The process could take upwards of 2-3 weeks to properly happen on it’s own. As long as there’s no swelling, redness, or other discoloration, leave it alone.
Now, while all of the above is the “natural process”, it’s important to know that baby teeth can become loose for other reasons. If it loosened after a fall or accident, it’s important to make an appointment with their pediatric dentist, as it can lead to an infection or do damage to the permanent tooth.
On a final note, if your child’s loose baby tooth is a back tooth before the front teeth have come out, or otherwise not in the right order, or if your child is under the age of 4, please play it safe and go to the kid’s dentist. It won’t take more than a quick exam to see if there’s a reason to worry.
Will a loose baby tooth hurt my child? Should we pull it?
A loose tooth that’s especially wiggly may “pinch” a bit or feel a little like rubbing an aching muscle until it comes out, but generally, there is little to no pain, and no, you should let the tooth fall out instead of pulling it. Pulling can lead to infection, more blood than your child is ready for, and be a little painful if it’s not ready.
Let your child know that when it does finally come out there may be a little tingling and bleeding, maybe even some soreness, but that you can handle all that! Everything will be just fine, and the weird feeling will subside quickly.
Once the tooth comes out, make sure your child rinses with fresh, cool water, and if there’s pain, a cold compress and even a damp towel held in the mouth over the socket can help relieve any pain and bleeding. If they’re still in pain more than an hour after the tooth comes out, you should call their pediatric dentist.
What if my child swallows a baby tooth? Will it make them sick?
Not at all. It’ll pass through the body just like everything else does. No worries!
Above all else, make sure that losing a baby tooth is a good memory for your child. It’s a big deal for them!
Many parents choose to keep the Tooth Fairy legend alive and there are many creative ways to do that. This rite of passage for your child should be celebrated just as much as any other throughout their lifetime. Remember that young children and their imaginations are much of what they have, and it’s our jobs as parents to engage with that, and make things fun!
At Children’s Dentistry of Arlington, we believe that even baby teeth need a bit of attention and are happy to give you guidance on how to preserve and help your children transition from losing baby teeth to other dental care.
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