Losing Teeth? What Is Normal For Children

By the time your child is about five years old, he or she may be showing signs of losing their baby teeth. Most children greet this change with excitement and as they get a bit older, losing baby teeth is a sign of being “big”. However, some children lose their teeth at a much younger age, and some are much older when they start losing teeth. If it is almost time for the tooth fairy to pay a visit to your house, here is some information about what is normal when it comes to children and losing baby teeth.

The first set of teeth your child gets are called primary teeth, sometimes also called baby teeth, because that is when they come in. These teeth usually start coming in around the age of six months and continue for months. Some people believe that a child that teethes early will start losing their primary teeth earlier than those that teethe later. Some people also say that girls will lose their teeth faster and early than boys. There is no real way to know when your child will start losing their primary teeth, but you can expect the first wiggly tooth around the age of six, although this can certainly come later or early depending on the child.

In general, children will begin notice the first wiggly tooth on the bottom. The incisors are usually the first to go, followed by the bottom cuspids. Remember that by the time your child stops losing teeth, they will have a full set of 32 teeth and this can take up to the time they are 21 years of age to happen. You should also reassure your child that sometimes a tooth will fall out, but it will take some time for a new one to grow back in place. This is especially true if your child has lost a tooth due to injury. Your child could have a blank spot for a year or more. Also, your dentist may opt to pull a couple of baby teeth if there is not enough room for the new ones to grow in. In this case, you should be aware that these could take some time to come in as well.

So, your child has a tooth that is ready to come out. That is exciting news for you and your child. Most children welcome this change, while others may feel a bit apprehensive. If your child is a little afraid of losing the first tooth, you can ease the fears by reading books, visiting your dentist and giving your child a chart that allows them to mark the teeth they have lost and the ones that have come in.

Most kids that are losing teeth for the first time are afraid that pulling the loose tooth will hurt. You can help by encouraging your child to gentle wiggle the tooth to loosen it from the socket. You never want to pull a tooth out unless it is ready. Never force a tooth out, as this can cause damage to the gums and it will hurt.

Another common problem that many children have is that they have permanent teeth that will grow in behind the baby tooth. In most cases, the permanent tooth will eventually push the baby tooth out. However, there are cases where this does not happen because the permanent tooth is out of place. If this is the case, your dentist may recommend pulling the tooth. When your dentist pulls a tooth, your child will be sedated so they do not feel any pain.