Your child's first tooth falling is a major milestone in your little one’s development. Usually, baby teeth fall following a specific schedule. However, it’s important to understand that every child is different.
Parents may feel a bit anxious if they notice their child’s baby teeth show no signs of falling and allow the permanent ones to take their place.
But this is not always a sign of concern.
Check out this short blog post to understand why your child’s teeth might not fall out and what you can do in these situations!
Baby teeth usually start to fall at around 6 years of age. The first to go are the middle teeth in the front, called incisors.
The back teeth, called the molars, start to follow between the ages of 10 and 13, and the permanent teeth replace them at around 13 years of age.
However, it’s important to understand that this timeline serves more as a guide. Children can lose their teeth slightly sooner or later. The causes can be varied, including genetics!
The issue isn’t necessarily the age at which the child loses their first teeth but the development stage of their permanent teeth.
Baby teeth usually become loose because the root is slowly dissolved by the permanent teeth beginning to erupt. Once the baby tooth falls, the adult tooth has enough space to emerge fully.
As a result, two possible issues can appear:
Preventative dentistry is one of the best weapons against these problems. During a routine consultation, Dr. Benjamin Burkitt will inspect the child’s teeth and determine if there are any issues that need addressing.
If the child loses the tooth too soon, a space maintainer is added to protect that space and ensure the adult tooth has enough room to grow.
If the baby tooth is more resilient, Dr. Benjamin Burkitt may recommend an extraction to allow the permanent tooth to erupt.
If you’re worried that your child’s baby teeth are not falling, Dr. Benjamin Burkitt is here to help put your mind at ease and recommend the best possible treatment plan for your child.
To get started, book a consultation with We Care Dental Care today.