When to Pull a Loose Tooth

A loose tooth doesn't always mean a permanent tooth is coming up. Children sometimes knock their teeth when playing or falling. If your child's tooth is knocked loose, you should make an appointment with your dentist to get it checked out, because there can be a risk of infection or damage to the permanent tooth.

Children usually lose teeth in about the same order they get them. The front teeth go first, usually around age six or seven. When a permanent tooth starts coming in, the roots of the baby tooth dissolve until it is loose enough to fall out painlessly and with very little blood.

If the loose tooth in your child's mouth is not one that is ready to come out naturally, attempts to extract it may tug on its sensitive roots and cause unnecessary pain. If you're not sure why one particular tooth is loose, and it seems too early or out of sequence for your child, you may wish to contact your dentist.

In general, if you and your child can handle the inconvenience, it's best not to pull a loose tooth, but rather let them wiggle it until it falls out on its own. This will minimise the pain associated with the loss of the tooth. If there is ever any concern about a loose tooth, consulting your dentist is the best course of action.