Looking back, losing your teeth can seem like a strange thing. Your teeth just fall right out of your head! But losing teeth is actually a perfectly naturally and necessary part of growing up, as baby teeth make way for permanent teeth. Most children have all of their baby teeth in by the time they’re 3 years old, and it won’t be long until they’re on their way out again.
The earliest age at which your child may start to lose his or her teeth is around age 6. Girls may start to lose their teeth earlier than boys. In general, by the time they hit their teenage years, all baby teeth are gone and replaced by permanents. The order in which they fall out is more or less the order in which they came in, with the front bottom teeth going first followed by the front top teeth.
When your child gets their first loose tooth, they’ll probably have plenty of questions for you about what to do, and you may be wondering yourself. The best thing to do is not to force it. The tooth will loosen naturally on its own as your child eats and pokes at it with his or her tongue or finger. Once the tooth is just hanging on and looks like it’s ready to come out, remove it with a quick twisting motion, pulling away from the gum. Pulling before the tooth is ready can result in pain and gum bleeding, so make sure to wait until it has sufficiently separated from the gum.
This is also a great time to reinforce good dental health habits for your children, now that their brief attention spans are focused on their teeth. Make sure they brush twice a day and floss once a day. Doing this together with your children can help establish a routine and turn it into a fun activity.
Rarely, there are problems with baby teeth. Permanent teeth may start to come in behind baby teeth that aren’t loosening. Teeth may come in crooked if a baby tooth was lost early due to an accident, or due to lack of space in the mouth. If you’re concerned about your child’s dental health, don’t hesitate to consult your dentist for help.
About Olney Dental
Olney Dental has been providing comprehensive dental care for residents of Olney and the surrounding area since 1985. We’re conveniently located on the campus of Montgomery General Hospital, and provide care for all ages for children to adults and seniors. We’re also independently owned by our dentists, which allows us be patient driven in our approach to dentistry. Your smiles make us smile! You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube.
Sources
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/childrens-health/expert-answers/baby-teeth/faq-20058532
http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/kids/how-to-remove-kids-loose-tooth1.htm