Loss of milk teeth
The loss of baby teeth is an important event for the child and parents. It may seem that it was only a short time before the first tiny tooth was lost, but it will now be in mum’s ‘treasure trove’ and the permanent tooth will take its place. Caring parents, of course, are worried about the question: is everything in order, whether the right change of bite? Let’s find out.
When milk teeth fall out
It is impossible to predict exactly when the first baby tooth will fall out – it’s very individual. Usually, by the age of 5-6 years, the milk roots gradually dissolve and the tooth, left without a strong anchor, falls out easily and painlessly. Within a few days, the tip of the permanent tooth is visible. The process of loss of baby teeth takes a few years and is usually complete by the age of 14.
What to look Out for
- It is important to save the baby teeth until the change of bite. The oral health of the teeth should therefore be taken care of from an early age. If a baby tooth is lost prematurely, the neighboring teeth will shift and there will be no space for the permanent tooth, which could cause bite problems.
- If a baby tooth has fallen out too early, before the age of 5, for unknown reasons, it is important to seek immediate medical attention. The specialist will identify the factors that may have contributed to the early loss of the tooth and help avoid problems with the bite.
- Baby teeth are a guide for permanent teeth. They “show” them where to grow and keep their place. If it is impossible to save a baby tooth before its natural prolapse, a special construction – a space maintainer – is placed.
- By the age of 5, the jaws start to grow actively and prepare for tooth replacement, and gaps between the baby teeth begin to appear since the size of the teeth themselves do not change. This is done to make space for the larger permanent teeth. If the gap remains unchanged, contact the orthodontist to avoid tightness and crowding of teeth in your child.
- It is worth making an appointment with the dentist if there is a delay in losing the baby teeth. The reasons may vary, e.g. the milk roots have not resorbed or the permanent tooth buds are missing. Only the doctor can diagnose and solve the problem.
When milk teeth fall out in children
Order of loss of milk teeth
Normal dentition involves two processes: the loss of milk teeth and the eruption of permanent teeth. The number is different: 28 permanent teeth erupt instead of 20 temporary teeth. Space for eight new masticatory teeth is created through the enlargement of the jaws. The four wisdom teeth, on the other hand, mostly erupt during adulthood or may not emerge at all.
The sequence in which teeth fall out in children is the same as the sequence in which they come in: first the incisors, then the masseter teeth, and only then the canines. You can see at what age this usually happens in the chart below.
What to do if a baby tooth has fallen out
Normally, the loss of a baby tooth is a physiological process and there is little need to interfere with it. If a tooth has been loose for a very long time and is not falling out, causing pain or discomfort, see a pediatric dentist or surgeon.
If the tooth has fallen out at home, simple rules should be followed:
- Calm the baby down. To keep your child from fear and stress, turn the loss of a baby tooth into a small ritual. For example, hide the tooth under the pillow at night and by morning replace it with a gift “from the Tooth Fairy”.
- Stop the bleeding. You need to press a sterile swab to the gum and ask your baby to bite on it. Usually, 10-15 minutes is enough to stop the bleeding. If it continues to bleed, you need to see a doctor.
- Temporarily limit food intake. After a tooth loss, do not drink for one hour and do not eat for two hours. Give your child only warm drinks and food for the next few days, avoid too cold, hot, and spicy food.
A beautiful, healthy smile as an adult depends not only on heredity but also on proper care and development in the early years. Preventive check-ups with a specialist won’t take long but will help to ensure that your baby’s jaw system is developing properly.
Any questions? Ask us
At DMC Tour Pediatric Dentistry, we take a positive psychological approach to children. Your child will love our friendly atmosphere and the bright playroom and funny cartoons will turn a visit to the Tooth Fairy into a real holiday. The attentive doctors will provide detailed information about your child’s oral health and answer any questions they may have.
