Children typically lose their baby teeth between five and seven years. Thankfully it’s not a painful progression, but it’s a good idea to prepare children for this big event. By explaining the process, your child will likely be more comfortable with losing a tooth if they understand what’s happening. At Danville Family Dentistry, we want to make sure that children learn to take measures to safeguard their teeth from baby to adult.
It Starts at the Center
Although there are exceptions, children generally lose their teeth from the center out. The central incisors are usually the first ones lost, and the path continues along to the baby teeth located on the sides.
Pulling Out Baby Teeth
On average, most children will have lost all of their baby teeth by the time they are 12 or 13 years old.
When a child notices a loose tooth, they may want to wiggle and play with it. You should advise them not to put their hands in their mouth, and don’t allow them to touch or pull on the loose baby tooth. This can cause damage to the gums. Additionally, don’t let children play with the empty hole in the gum. This can lead to infection. Baby teeth will fall out naturally, and it’s best if we let it happen that way.
Let your children know that:
- There may be some blood, but not much.
- They won’t accidentally swallow it because they will feel it come out.
- A loose and wiggly tooth is normal and healthy for baby teeth.
- If they aren’t at home when they lose a tooth, have them wrap the tooth in a tissue or baggie.
Make sure they know that losing baby teeth is a totally normal part of growing up. Tell them the story of losing your first tooth. This will help calm any nervous reactions they may have. Perhaps the Tooth Fairy will be making a visit quite soon!
Proper Hygiene for Baby Teeth
Proper oral health isn’t just for adults. Children with baby teeth can experience tooth decay and even early tooth loss. The experts at Danville Family Dentistrywould be happy to teach your kids about proper flossing techniques and make sure they brush their teeth twice a day. Give us a call at 317-745-4400, sowe can help your children on their way to a super adult smile!
Even though baby teeth aren’t permanent teeth, it’s important to take care of them as well as you take care of adult teeth. Baby teeth still need to be healthy so that children can eat normally, speak normally, and get a headstart on having healthy adult teeth.
Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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