When to Pull a Loose Tooth

Uh-oh – your kid has a wobbly tooth! Back in the day, you might have taken care of this with a doorknob and a piece of string. But today, we know that pulling your child’s tooth out before it’s ready can do more harm than good. So what can you do to help your little one with that annoying wiggly tooth? Let’s look at the options…

Why Is Your Child’s Tooth Loose?

If your child is aged 6-12 and has a loose baby tooth, it’s most likely time for the tooth to naturally fall out. This is perfectly normal, and provided your child doesn’t seem to be in pain and has no signs of dental disease, then it’s nothing to worry about.

However, sometimes a baby tooth can become loose due to injury or tooth decay. If your child has recently experienced a trauma to the mouth, or they’re showing the following signs of decay, get them to the dentist right away to get that wobbly tooth checked out:

White, chalky spots on the teeth.
Brown or black marks on the teeth.
Visible holes or pits in the teeth.
Toothache.
Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods.

First In, First Out

The process of losing baby teeth usually begins around the age of six, and happens in the same order the teeth came in. Believe it or not, the permanent teeth have been developing under the baby teeth since your child was in the womb! And when they reach a certain size, they start putting pressure on the roots of the baby teeth. This causes the roots to dissolve and the baby tooth to loosen and eventually fall out.

With 20 baby teeth and 32 adult teeth, there’s a lot to keep track of! A teething chart can help.

Consider the Natural Way

We know that a wobbly tooth can be super irritating for your child! But trying to remove a loose tooth before it's ready could lead to tooth breakage, bleeding and discomfort. The best way to handle a loose tooth is to simply let nature take its course and allow the tooth to come out on its own.

That’s not to say you can’t help it along slightly! Kids are often tempted to wiggle the loose tooth with their tongue or fingers. Provided they do so gently, let them wiggle away, as this will help the tooth to loosen and fall out. The American Dental Association also says that you can fold a piece of clean tissue over the tooth and gently squeeze. If the tooth is ready to come out, it should pop out right away. If it’s been a while and your child’s loose tooth isn’t falling out, your dentist can help.

Tips to Make Tooth Loss Painless

If you let the tooth naturally loosen for as long as possible, it should be painless when it eventually falls out (or you remove it with the trick recommended above). However, if your kiddo is experiencing pain or discomfort after losing their tooth, try the following:

Feed your child cold, soft foods, and avoid crunchy or chewy foods that could hurt the tender gums.
Give them a children’s over-the-counter pain relief medication appropriate for their age.
Place a cold compress on the area to relieve inflammation or swelling.
Make them a saltwater mouth rinse with a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of salt.
Don’t neglect oral hygiene! Even though your child may not feel like brushing, oral bacteria will only make the problem worse.

If you have any questions about your child's loose tooth, we recommend getting in to see your dentist right away. We also recommend you start saving all your loose change, as the tooth fairy is about to become a regular visitor at your house!

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