As a parent, you want to make sure that your child hits every milestone of their growth and development at the right time. Oral health is also an important part of their overall development. Normally, a child’s baby teeth start to fall off when it’s time for permanent teeth to come in. However, you may wonder what happens if your child’s baby teeth are not falling out. Should you be worried? Keep reading to find out.
Why Your Child’s Baby Teeth May Remain Stuck
Normally, children start losing their baby teeth around age 6, and it typically goes on until age 12. That’s a normal part of the process to make room for the permanent teeth to grow in. If your child’s baby teeth are not falling out, it could be because of different reasons.
Teeth crowding
If there is not enough space in the jaw, your kid’s permanent teeth may struggle to appear. Because of this, their baby teeth may remain stuck in place.
In some cases, the permanent tooth may grow in behind a baby tooth that hasn’t fallen off, causing what’s commonly known as shark teeth in kids.
Delayed eruption of permanent teeth
Permanent teeth may take longer to develop in some children. Some kids may lose their baby teeth around age 6, while for others, it may take another year or so.
Genetics
The time it takes for baby teeth to fall off can also be linked to genetics. Let’s say if you or your partner had delayed baby tooth loss, your child might too.
What to Do If Your Child’s Baby Teeth Are Not Falling Out
There’s no fixed age for baby teeth to fall out. It works differently for every kid, and if there’s a slight delay, it’s not something you should be stressing over. But to make sure that there’s nothing wrong, it’s best to visit a pediatric dentist.
While waiting to get an appointment with the dentist, you can also take some steps to make your child more comfortable. Ask your child to wiggle the tooth lightly with their tongue or clean fingers. Don’t use too much force to pull the tooth out because it can hurt.
Try giving them crunchy snacks, too, such as carrots or apples. They naturally help loosen the baby tooth, and it may fall off without needing any other treatment.
All this time, keep your child’s mouth clean. Proper brushing and flossing make sure that the remaining teeth remain healthy and infection-free.
How Can a Dentist Help?
When you visit a pediatric dentist, they will first examine the baby tooth that is stuck. They may also take dental X-rays to check the positions of the permanent teeth.
If the permanent teeth are about to erupt and there’s no other issue, your dentist may ask you to wait and see if the baby tooth falls out on its own.
If the chances of this happening seem low, they may suggest baby tooth extraction. It’s easy and usually takes much less time than removing a permanent tooth.
Summing Up
Sometimes, baby teeth may take longer than usual to fall out, but before any issue happens, it’s best to consult your dentist.
If you’re worried about your child’s baby teeth not falling out, visit our pediatric dentist, Dr. Neil Dean, at KC Kids Dental, so we can have a thorough exam. Call us today!
