Posted: July 15, 2022
With 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth in your child's mouth, there are a lot of teeth to keep track of. As the adult teeth below the gum line continue to grow, the roots of the baby teeth above them will slowly begin to dissolve, and the baby tooth will start to loosen.
Although the first few could be scary for your child, and they may want to keep playing with the loose tooth with their tongue, the best thing to do is let it loosen on its own, and come out on its own.
While pulling the tooth before it is ready is not the best decision for your child's oral health, encouraging them to continue to play with the tooth and move it around with their tongue will continue to help weaken the root and make it looser.
As the roots continue to dissolve and the tooth loosens, using a clean hand and cloth see if you can twist the tooth 90 degrees in one direction or another. If the tooth is ready to come out, this is the safest way and reduces the chance of harming or damaging the surrounding gums or tissues. If the tooth does come out, make sure you check your child's gums to see if there are no remaining fragments. Some redness and minor bleeding are normal.
Especially during this time, your child must maintain good oral hygiene. Since new gum tissue and the new surface of the adult teeth will be exposed, reducing the buildup of plaque and tartar will help the adult teeth grow healthy and strong.
One of the best ways to help your child while losing their teeth is to instill good oral hygienes routine including regular cleanings and check-ups. Dr. Evola and the team at Forestream Dental in Depew, NY will provide expert care and help reduce your child’s anxiety. The team will also make sure your child’s adult teeth are growing properly. Contact us at 716-656-8686, or visit www.forestreamdental.com for a consultation, today.
