“Mom, I have a loose tooth!” Where has the time gone? It probably seems like just yesterday your child’s very first tooth poked through and you were so excited about the big milestone. But those cute little baby teeth must fall out in order for permanent teeth to grow in. While your child may be excited to feel a tooth wiggling, you may be wondering if it’s normal for her to have a loose tooth at this age.
When Do Children Lose Their First Tooth?
Usually kids lose their first baby tooth when they around six years old. However, every child is different, and kids can lose that first tooth as early as four years old or as late as eight years old. Usually, the younger your child was when she got her first tooth, the younger she may be when they fall out. However, if your child has a loose tooth early, or if you’re worried that she hasn’t lost a tooth yet, it’s always a great idea to head to the dentist for a checkup just to make sure everything is okay.
The First Teeth In are Usually the First to Go
Do you remember which teeth erupted first? In most cases, children get their lower middle teeth (the lower center incisors) first. Next, they usually get their top middle teeth. Teeth will fall out in roughly the same order that they came in, with the bottom and upper front teeth going first.
Your child’s tooth normally won’t get loose until the permanent tooth below is pushing it up. However, it is possible for your child to lose a baby tooth before its replacement is ready to come in. This can happen as a result of dental disease or an accident. If this occurs, your dentist may decide to put in a placeholder for that adult tooth to emerge when it’s ready.
What to Do About a Loose Tooth
Once you or your child notices a loose tooth, you can encourage her to wiggle it gently. However, it’s important to avoid yanking it out before it’s ready, since this can make the broken root more susceptible to an infection. In most cases, that tooth will come out with very little pain or bleeding. If your child’s tooth refuses to come out, then you may want to see the dentist.
Brand New Teeth and a Great Time to Reinforce Dental Hygiene Habits
After your child loses a baby tooth, the new permanent tooth should begin growing in. You may notice that these teeth look bigger — that’s because they are. As your child loses baby teeth and begins to get permanent teeth, it’s a perfect time to reinforce good dental hygiene habits. Remind her to brush for two minutes at least twice daily. Help with daily flossing. Have her to use a kid-friendly mouthwash regularly as well.
It’s also important to make sure you’re scheduling regular dental cleanings and checkups for your child. Her permanent teeth need to last a lifetime, so make sure you get on the right track now with good dental hygiene and routine dental visits for optimal oral health.
