Should You Pull a Loose Baby Tooth?
A is an exciting milestone for children and parents alike, signaling the transition from primary teeth to permanent teeth. Though it can be tempting to help your child out during this time, our Saginaw pediatric dentist warns against forcing the process as it can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, and even damage to the gums or surrounding teeth. Knowing when to take action and when to wait is key to ensuring your child’s comfort and oral health.
Here’s what you need to know about and why you should avoid using tools, string, or forceful yanking.
When Teeth Are Typically Ready
Every child is different, but on average, most begin to lose their baby teeth starting around 6 years old. As the molars erupt on their own in the back of the mouth, the roots of the baby teeth in the front weaken. This is due to the adult teeth growing within the gum and preparing to emerge themselves.
Your child might notice that their two central bottom teeth at the front of their mouth become loose and fall out first. Those two are often followed by the two central top teeth. If your child doesn’t lose any until they turn 7, there is no need to panic as it’s still perfectly normal.
The Call for Tooth Extraction
While most loose baby teeth fall out naturally, there are instances when professional intervention is needed to protect your child’s oral health. Certain situations can prevent a baby tooth from coming out on its own or cause complications that require attention. Pulling a baby tooth becomes necessary when there’s:
- Decay or Damage: If a baby tooth is decayed or fractured, it may need professional removal to prevent infection or pain.
- Stubborn Teeth: Occasionally, a baby tooth won’t fall out on its own even after the permanent tooth has started coming in.
- Premature Loss: When a tooth falls out too soon, it may create spacing issues. Our pediatric dentist might recommend a space maintainer to ensure proper alignment for the incoming adult teeth.
For these situations, extraction inside our Saginaw, MI, pediatric dental office is the safest option. Our dentist will ensure the procedure is pain-free and will provide guidance to minimize dental anxiety for your child.
Tips for Handling Loose Teeth
The best technique for is quite simple. First, take a clean tissue and place it over the tooth. Then, gently squeeze. If ready, the tooth should pop right out and be relatively painless for your child.
Do not under any circumstances attempt to try the infamous string and doorknob method.This could cause unwanted damage and negatively affect how the adult tooth comes in. Our pediatric dentist can let you know when it is appropriate to resort to extraction for stubborn baby teeth.
Aside from turning to our team for help, you can move teeth along by:
- Having your child gently wiggle the tooth with their tongue to encourage it to loosen up over time
- Giving your child crunchier foods when appropriate like carrots, pretzel sticks, or apple slices to naturally get the tooth to come out
What to Do After a Tooth Falls Out
Assuming the tooth comes out easily and cleanly, there isn’t much to do in terms of oral care. Simply wrap the tooth in a tissue and save it for the tooth fairy’s arrival if you’d like.
If bleeding does occur, you’ll want to moisten either a teabag or piece of gauze and instruct your child to gently bite down on it. Be sure to also let them know that they shouldn’t brush or irritate the area in any way for a few days. Having them eat softer foods is also advised at this time while the spot heals.
If you notice any of the following, schedule a dental visit:
- Persistent pain after a tooth falls out.
- Swelling or redness around the gums.
- Difficulty eating or speaking due to a missing tooth.
- Concerns about delayed or early loss of baby teeth.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you notice persistent bleeding for more than two hours. Our dentist can take a look at the area where the tooth was lost with a thorough oral exam and take appropriate action.
Gentle Care for Healthy Smiles
Managing loose baby teeth is a natural part of childhood. With the right care and a little patience, you can support your child through this exciting phase while also protecting their oral health. Remember, pulling baby teeth is only appropriate under specific circumstances, and our pediatric dentist in Saginaw, MI, is your best partner for any concerns. Call Great Lakes Bay Pediatric Dentistry today at (989) 792-9201 to request an appointmentif you have any questions and would like your child’s smile examined.
