Worrying about their child is in a parent’s nature, and their oral health is no exception. Parents bring their child to Kapolei dental offices for many different reasons, such as cavities, loose teeth due to accidents, and even when their baby teeth don’t fall out as expected.
Although there could be developmental issues behind the permanence of baby teeth, most of the time, everything is just fine. Nevertheless, here’s a small guide on what parents should expect when their children start losing baby teeth, with a timeframe indicating key ages to your kid’s dental development to protect their little smiles.
What Are Baby Teeth?
Primary teeth, or more commonly known as baby teeth, play a very important role in a kid’s dental development by saving up space for a kid’s permanent teeth.
If the baby teeth emerge too soon, vital space can be lost, leading to crowding. On the other hand, baby teeth that aren’t lost in time can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked.
Why Haven’t My Kid’s Baby Teeth Come Out?
A baby’s teeth may not come out on time due to a variety of conditions.
- It’s not the time. When the underlying tooth is ready, it begins to push against the baby tooth’s root, dissolving it. This makes them loosen up. Long-lasting milk teeth can indicate that the permanent teeth are not ready.
- There isn’t enough room. If a kid’s permanent teeth are larger than the primary or if they have severe crowding, there may not be enough space for the permanent teeth to erupt. This can delay their emergence and even cause them to come in sideways.
- Having “shark teeth.” This is a condition where a child’s new teeth come out, even when the milk teeth haven’t fallen out. Since it misses the tooth’s root, it doesn’t dissolve, and extraction is necessary. The name stems from the fact that sharks can have several rows of teeth—sadly, it doesn’t mean that they won’t get cavities.
- They don’t have permanent teeth. In some rare cases, the tooth that should be underlying doesn’t develop. The baby tooth stays in place with nothing to push it out. Still, do not worry, as milk teeth can be extremely durable and last well into adulthood.
Kid’s Teeth Development Timeline
The most common reason for long-lasting baby teeth is that your child is simply developing slowly. Parent’s concerns often stem from lack of knowledge of the normal sequence of tooth loss in a kid, so here’s a brief timeline on how kids’ teeth develop:
- A child’s first baby teeth fall out around the age of six.
- The average child will have lost eight baby teeth by the age of eight: four on top and four on bottom.
- Once they reach eight years old, however, the tooth development process stagnates. Chances are high that they won’t lose any teeth until they’re ten. This sudden “pause” is when parents become more anxious, but it’s completely normal. If your kid needs orthodontic treatment, this is also the best time period.
- When a kid turns ten, the remaining teeth begin to loosen and fall out.
- At 12 years old, molars start making their appearance.
- The average adolescent will have lost all their last primary teeth by the time they’re 13 years old. The only new teeth they’ll get are their wisdom teeth, if they do emerge.
A kid’s teeth growing slowly is perfectly normal, and in most cases, the natural course. Still, if the orthodontist monitoring your child’s dental development sees any potential issue, they will have an X-ray done, and remove the primary teeth if necessary.
Signs You Should See a Dentist
In most cases, delayed tooth loss is not an issue and there’s no dental emergency. However, you should consider seeing a pediatric dentist if you notice:
- Prolonged shark teeth: When a second row of teeth emerges in your kid’s mouth, the primary tooth should fall out in the next few days. If that doesn’t happen, you should consider scheduling an appointment.
- Shark teeth in the molars: Having shark teeth emerge in the front is common and doesn’t tend to cause orthodontic issues, because these are thinner. However, if it happens to the molars, it can be painful for your kid and require treatment.
- Crowding: If there is not enough room for permanent teeth to grow in, they won’t be able to push out baby teeth naturally. An orthodontic treatment can help fix that.
- A tooth is loose but won’t come out: The loosening of a baby tooth tends to last a week or two, or, in some cases, a bit longer. Pulling out loose teeth is never recommended. Instead, wait at least that long, and if the tooth remains, you can call your pediatric dentist.
Pro Tip: Give your kids hard foods like raw apples and carrots. Besides helping the tooth detach and fall out, you’re making them eat their veggies. Killing two birds with one stone!
Visit a Pediatric Dentist at our Kapolei Dental Office
Children’s tooth growth varies significantly from one child to another, with each child’s dental development following a unique timeline. As a parent, it’s natural to have concerns about your child’s dental health and development. Rest assured, our dedicated team of pediatric dentists is here to provide the support and care your child needs.
We understand the importance of ensuring that your child’s teeth are developing correctly and are committed to offering personalized, comprehensive dental care. Our Kapolei dental office is equipped with the latest technology and a friendly, welcoming environment to make each visit as comfortable as possible for your child.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s dental development, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our experienced pediatric dentists are here to address any doubts and provide you with the information and reassurance you need. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward ensuring your child’s healthy and happy smile.