Posted on 3/21/2022 by Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry
Losing their baby teeth and having their permanent teeth come in is an exciting dental milestone for your child. Not only does it make them feel more like a “big kid,” but if they are lucky, they get a visit from the Tooth Fairy for each tooth they lose. It can me tempting to help wiggle your child's loose tooth out for them, but we generally advise against this.
When is a Loose Tooth Ready to Come Out?
Most baby teeth should fall out on their own when they are ready, without needing much extra assistance. This often happens when your child is brushing his or her teeth, or while biting into a crunchy apple, carrot, or piece of crusty bread. If your child's tooth wiggles a lot when they touch it with their tongue or finger, it is probably ready to come out soon. Your child should not experience any discomfort while wiggling a loose tooth, so if they feel pain, the tooth is probably not ready to come out. A baby tooth that is slightly loose but does not wiggle a lot probably still has roots that have not completely dissolved, so it is best to encourage your child to be patient and let the tooth loosen on its own.
Is It Ever Okay to Touch Your Child's Loose Tooth?
Again, we always tell parents to have children gentle wiggle their own loose teeth, but some children are afraid to do this or need help. The biggest risks when it comes to helping remove your child's loose tooth are infection and tissue damage. If you force out a loose tooth before it is ready, you can damage the sensitive gum tissue and cause small abrasions that are at risk of becoming infected. Plus, this could cause bleeding and be painful for your child. If your child needs your help wiggling a loose tooth, always wash your hands first and consider using medical gauze. Call our office if you have questions about your child's loose teeth.
Blog - Wichita, KS • Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry At Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Healy created this informative blog to assist with educating the community about various topics of pediatric dentistry. Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, 3933 N. Maize Road, Suite 200 Wichita, KS 67101; (316) 202-9629; tinyteethwichita.com; 12/6/2024; Page Keywords: Pediatric Dentist Wichita KS;
Losing their baby teeth and having their permanent teeth come in is an exciting dental milestone for your child. Not only does it make them feel more like a “big kid,” but if they are lucky, they get a visit from the Tooth Fairy for each tooth they lose. It can me tempting to help wiggle your child's loose tooth out for them, but we generally advise against this.