Kids usually start losing their baby teeth around age six or seven and the teeth in the front of the mouth, called incisors, are usually the first to go. The baby molars will remain until roughly age 12 and then by age 13 your child should have all of their permanent teeth.
As permanent teeth form and begin to move their way into a child’s mouth, they dissolve the root of the primary (baby) tooth causing the tooth to get loose and eventually fall out. Like every child, every mouth is different with about a year deviation from this schedule considered normal. If you are unsure whether your child is off schedule for teeth falling out or erupting, consult your dentist.
However, sometimes teeth don’t fall out as easily as we hope and parents may wonder if they should pull the tooth. The answer, though, is that it may be tempting to pull a loose tooth, but it’s best to wait until it’s ready to come out without being forced.
Should you pull a child’s tooth?
If the tooth seems significantly attached to the roots, you should tell your child to wait to pull out the tooth for minimal pain. Comforting to your child is key since many kids are afraid that pulling a tooth will hurt. If you feel that the tooth is ready to come out, you can pull the tooth with these simple steps or with your guidance, your child can pull the tooth themselves!
First wash your hands and wiggle the tooth back and forth with a clean tissue, making sure it’s ready to come out. If it’s ready, a little twisting will be necessary and the tooth will pop right out. Apply pressure to the area with a clean gauze pad if there is any minor bleeding. Bleeding should stop after a few minutes.
Visit your dentist if any fragments of the tooth are left behind. If you see any redness the next day or your child is complaining of excessive pain, you should make an appointment with your dentist to ensure the area is not infected.
If there is ever any concern about a loose tooth, consulting your dentist is the best course of action. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about your child’s teeth
Is it okay to wiggle loose teeth?
It is important to not wiggle teeth that are not ready. Once a tooth becomes loose on its own, a permanent tooth is making its way into the mouth. If the baby tooth does not fall out (or is pulled out) in a timely manner, the permanent tooth can be negatively affected in ways such as malalignment or may even develop a cavity.
If a tooth is barely loose, give it some more time for more of the root to resorb. When a tooth is very loose, easily pushed over with the tongue for example, it is ready to come out. If your child is unable to get the tooth out on their own, you can help pull it out with a quick twist.
