Losing a baby tooth can be a very exciting time in a child’s life. But it can also be uncomfortable and even scary for some kids.
If you’re caring for a child who is around five years old, it’s a good idea to start preparing for loose teeth. Scheduling a visit with your family dentist in Orlando, FL is a great place to start!
In the meantime, we hope this quick guide to losing baby teeth will help you feel prepared.
When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? Check Out This Handy Tooth Chart!
What to Expect When Baby Teeth Are Loose
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Decreased appetite due to discomfort when eating
- Complaints about brushing or flossing teeth
- Desire to chew on non-food items to relieve discomfort
- Anxiety or emotional distress about losing a tooth
Should You Pull Out a Loose Baby Tooth?
In general, no. Here’s why.
Baby teeth get loose as the growing permanent tooth puts pressure on the root of the baby tooth, slowly absorbing it from the bottom up. The permanent tooth also pushes the baby tooth upward out of the gums.
By the time the root is fully absorbed, the baby tooth will usually fall out on its own, or with a little gentle help.
Forcefully pulling a baby tooth out before its ready can do more damage to the gums. In some cases, it may even cause the root to break and leave a fragment in the gums which can become infected.
It’s important to remember that each tooth has a nerve and blood supply within the root, which will also detach on its own when the tooth is ready. Pulling a tooth too early may mean the nerve and blood vessels are still intact, making the whole process more painful than it needs to be and leading to excessive bleeding.
In the future, your child may feel anxious and distressed about loose teeth, making the whole process even more uncomfortable for everyone.
How Long Does It Take for a Baby Tooth to Fall Out?
It can take a few months from the time a baby tooth starts to feel a little wiggly until it’s ready to come out.
Once a baby tooth is very loose, it will usually fall out on its own within a few days to a few weeks. However, there are some cases when baby teeth can get stuck in the soft tissue of the gums and have trouble falling out on their own.
To make sure loose baby teeth fall out when they should, encourage your child to gently wiggle it with clean fingers or their tongue throughout the day.
When to See Your Dentist About Loose Baby Teeth
If a loose baby tooth has been hanging out for more than a few weeks, it might be worth checking in with your dentist about helping it along.
Think about scheduling a quick check-in with your dentist if:
- The tooth turns gray or pink
- You notice red, swollen, or tender gums around the loose tooth
- You notice bleeding or pus in the area of a loose tooth
- The tooth lifts up easily on one side but seems stuck on the other
- Baby teeth become loose out of order
If necessary, we can help loose teeth come out quickly and comfortably by numbing the area with gel or a quick injection. In some cases, anxious children may benefit from mild sedation with nitrous oxide to keep them relaxed.
What to Expect After a Baby Tooth Comes Out
Bleeding Is Normal.
Immediately after a tooth falls out, the gums will probably bleed a little.
Have your child bite down on a clean piece of gauze, folded over a few times to put pressure on the gums. Biting on a gauze pad for about 15 minutes should be enough to stop the bleeding.
Biting on a moistened black or green tea bag is also very helpful for stopping bleeding after a tooth comes out.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop after about 15 to 20 minutes, call your dentist.
You May See Loose Gum Tissue.
You may notice a flap of tissue after a baby tooth comes out.
It’s important to leave this tissue alone and avoid pulling on it or trying to rip it. The tissue will fall off or wear away on its own.
An Adult Tooth Should Appear Within 6 Months.
In many cases, the adult tooth will be immediately visible after a baby tooth comes out. But it’s not unusual to expect a cute gappy grin for several weeks or even months after your child loses a tooth.
If an adult tooth doesn’t start to erupt within 6 months of a baby tooth falling out, call us! We can take specialized x-rays to check the position of the adult teeth and make sure they’re not stuck. If they are, we can set you up with an orthodontist near you in Orlando, FL to come up with a plan to ensure the adult teeth come in right.
How to Prepare for Losing Baby Teeth
Just like preparing for a first dental visit or learning why it’s so important to brush and floss, talking to your child about what to expect can make things go much more smoothly.
Be sure to let your child know that losing baby teeth is a normal part of life and nothing to be scared of. If they’re experiencing pain, children’s Tylenol or ibuprofen can be helpful if your doctor says they can take it.
You may want to offer soft foods, especially if your child’s molars are loose, to make eating more comfortable.
For many kids, hyping up the tooth fairy can help them feel excited and alleviate a lot of stress. Just be sure you tell your tooth fairy to hit the ATM before the tooth comes out! Keep smiling, Orlando!
