Losing Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are meant to be lost and replaced with permanent adult teeth. This process starts at about age six as the roots of baby teeth begin to dissolve. The tooth may be loose in the child’s mouth for some time before it falls out. It is not harmful to “coax” the tooth in this process but remind your child not to put excess pressure with the tongue .

The permanent tooth is waiting just under the baby tooth and may even break through before the baby tooth is lost. If the baby tooth does not break through soon after the adult tooth appears, notify your dentist. A baby tooth that stays in too long can interfere with the position and development of the adult tooth.

If a baby tooth is lost early through accident or decay, it is important to hold open the space for the adult tooth. Notify your dentist immediately if a baby tooth is lost prematurely or through an accident.

Most baby teeth come out normally and without problem. Notify your dentist with any complications or questions