Losing baby teeth is a big milestone for your child. While it may be unsettling for children to lose their baby teeth, the appearance of permanent adult teeth is an important right of passage for them. To make this experience as smooth as possible for your child, follow these Snow Family Dentistry tips!
When Do Children Lose Baby Teeth?
While children don’t necessarily have a set date on when they begin to lose baby teeth, you can usually expect your child’s first tooth to fall out around age six. Front teeth generally fall out first, while molars usually fall out around age 12.
Look Out for Development Issues
It is important to keep in mind that there isn’t an exact schedule that dictates when your child will lose their baby teeth; however, there are a few things that you need to carefully monitor. First, if your child loses a tooth very early, say age four, it’s best to take them to a dentist like Snow Family Dentistry to get it checked out. In some cases, your child may lose the tooth due to decay or damage, and this can impact future development if not treated. You also need to monitor how long it takes for an adult tooth to come in after a baby tooth has fallen out. If it takes six months or longer for an adult tooth to appear, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to make sure nothing is impeding its progress.
How to Care for a Lost Tooth
When your child loses a tooth, its natural for some bleeding to occur. Be sure to create a calm environment where there is no panic over the blood in your child’s mouth. To lessen the mess, coax your child to rinse their mouth out with warm water. You can also clean the area with a warm washcloth after the tooth has fallen out.
Your child will need to resume normal brushing and flossing habits after their tooth has fallen out. It is important that they brush gently around the area of the lost tooth; too much force can cause discomfort or irritation on their gums. Your child can also floss normally, but ask them to skip the sensitive area where their tooth has fallen out for a few days.
Explain to Your Child That Losing Teeth Is Normal
It is natural for children to lose baby teeth, but some may be embarrassed by that gap in their smile. It’s important to explain that everyone loses teeth, and a new tooth is on the way to replace it. This is also a great time to gently remind your child that adult teeth are permanent and they’ll get no more replacements, so proper dental habits are more important than ever.
Why Choose Snow Family Dentistry
It’s important to instill proper dental care habits in your children now, because they’ll be even more important in the years to come. If you think your child’s adult teeth aren’t coming in properly, or they’re simply due for a checkup, contact Snow Family Dentistry today to schedule an appointment!
