What You Should Know About Your Child Losing Baby Teeth

Your little one will eventually lose his baby teeth, which is a milestone in the process of growing up. Fortunately, it is not usually too painful for kids when they lose their baby teeth, but the toothless pictures may embarrass them when they get older. Once a tooth does fall out, however, you need to know how to properly take care of the gums and the new permanent tooth that will shortly pop through.

Losing Baby Teeth

According to the Mayo Clinic, children will lose their first teeth around the age of 6. The timing varies from child to child; make sure that you do visit your dentist if your child loses a tooth prematurely due to an accident or tooth decay, especially since the latter scenario could indicate a bigger problem. Furthermore, when a primary tooth falls out prematurely, your child's permanent tooth may not have enough room to come in properly.

Teeth tend to fall out in the order in which they appeared, according to the American Dental Association; usually the two bottom front teeth fall out first. Kids usually lose their first tooth by the age of 6 or 7, and they lose the last tooth, which is the second molar, by the age of 12 or 13. A tooth can sometimes take a few days or even a few months to fall out once you or your child notices that it's loose. The length of time that it takes to fall out depends on how quickly the tooth root will dissolve or resorb. It also depends on how much your little one wiggles it. The more he wiggles it, the sooner it will fall out, and a new tooth will begin to appear in its place soon after. It can take several months to completely grow in; but if the tooth has not grown in after six months, see your dentist since he or she may refer you to an oral surgeon for an evaluation.

After a Tooth Falls Out

Have your little one gargle with some warm water once the tooth falls out, especially if there's bleeding. Your child can continue to use the same child-friendly toothpaste, such as Colgate's Transformers™ Anticavity Fluoride toothpaste. Instruct your child not to brush too hard where the tooth fell out to avoid irritating the area. After losing baby teeth, you should reinforce the importance of good oral health routines, such as brushing at least twice per day, flossing at least once per day and keeping up healthy eating habits. Stress the importance of avoiding soda and other foods and beverages that can damage teeth. All these details are especially important now that your child is growing permanent teeth.