Losing the first baby tooth is an exciting milestone for many families! This may happen around 6 years old, with the lower central incisors generally the first to make the transition. Did you know that permanent teeth begin in the jaws as early as at birth! As these teeth gradually move from within the bone up to the surface, they cause the roots of baby teeth to dissolve resulting in a wobbly baby tooth.
At this juncture, many parents are tempted to pull the tooth out at home. DIY extractions have been performed in many homes but may risk excessive bleeding, damage to gums or infection. It is worth mentioning that not all loose teeth can be easily removed – leading to a potentially painful situation after a failed attempt at extraction.
Some parents believe that extracting loose baby teeth will help aid in better alignment of the incoming adult teeth. This is a myth. Instead, factors like genetics, teeth and jaw sizes or habits like thumb-sucking play a more important role in determining the final position of the teeth.
Loose baby teeth often fall out naturally without intervention if given sufficient time. This can take between 4-6 months on average. Using a clean finger to wiggle the shaky baby tooth daily can help hasten the process. Here are some scenarios where a dental extraction may be required:
Over-retained baby tooth. When an adult tooth is well erupted and the corresponding baby tooth remains quite firm in the jaw, a dentist may need to remove the over-retained baby tooth.
Some children are bothered by wobbly teeth. They may eat poorly or refuse to brush their teeth. Removal of the wobbly teeth will return them to comfort again.
If in doubt, please bring your child in for a dental check-up. Your child’s dental specialist or dentist will examine the teeth and recommend accordingly.
Dr Tabitha Chng is a Dental Specialist in Paedodontics (Children’s Dentistry) with Specialist Dental Group®. She received her specialty training in Paedodontics from University of Toronto, Canada. She is currently the only Paediatric dentist to be dually certified by both the American Board of Paediatric Dentistry and the Royal College of Dentists of Canada. Dr Chng loves to see children smile and constantly strives to create a safe and relaxed environment for kids to enjoy their visits. Besides fighting cavities, she has a special interest in paediatric sleep medicine (eg. tooth grinding, snoring) and early management of crooked teeth without braces.
(65) 6733 7883 | www.specialistdentalgroup.com
Specialist Dental Group® is a corporate sponsor of the Canadian Association of Singapore (CAS). CAS members enjoy a special rate for dental services.
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