Most children will lose their first baby tooth when they are about five or six years old. However, it’s not uncommon for some kids to lose them as early as four or as late as seven. Unfortunately, when baby teeth don’t fall out on their own, it can cause major orthodontic problems for the child later on in life. This can lead to the need for braces and more extensive treatment simply because the permanent teeth weren’t able to come in properly. Understanding the facts about baby teeth and how they can affect your child is crucial to ensuring your loved one has a beautiful, full smile.

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1 Facts About Baby Teeth

Facts About Baby Teeth

Baby teeth are smaller in size than permanent teeth. They are also more prone to developing cavities and other intraoral problems. Typically, they start to come in when an infant is just a few months old. They fully emerge when the child is about one to one and a half and will begin to fall out when the child is around five or six years old. Most baby teeth fall out on their own without any problems. However, it’s not uncommon for one or more baby teeth to have issues falling out without help from a dental professional. The problem with leaving the baby tooth in for too long is that it can affect the underlying permanent teeth. This can, in turn, cause issues with orthodontic placement, requiring treatment to correct the problem.

While baby teeth are incredibly beneficial to your child, as they help them to eat and chew, they can easily and quickly become a problem when they are not fall out on time. If your child is eight, nine or even 10 years old and still has one or more baby teeth, they may have to be removed. Leaving the tooth in place and hoping that it falls out may not be enough to retain a full, healthy and straight smile. Luckily, removing baby teeth is simple and is considered a quick, easy oral surgery. It can be done under local or general anesthesia as your child sees fit.

Should My Child Need to Undergo Surgery to Remove Baby Teeth?

If you’re wondering, “should my child need to undergo surgery to remove baby teeth?” this is truly up to you and the dental professionals. Many orthodontists will recommend that stubborn baby teeth be removed before they pose a problem. Your child will need to undergo an oral examination and x-rays to determine if and when they may need to have baby teeth removed. This will help the orthodontist to create a treatment plan specific to your child’s needs to ensure their smile is full and healthy. Most children who have stubborn baby teeth will need to have them removed as soon as possible. This is especially true if your child is going to be undergoing orthodontic care and will need the teeth removed before any type of braces is placed.

Just because most children lose their baby teeth at around five or six years old doesn’t mean that this will be for every child. It’s not uncommon for kids to lose the rest of their baby teeth when they’re seven or eight. However, if your child is over nine or 10 and still has baby teeth, their orthodontist may recommend having them removed. The major problem comes in when the permanent teeth begin to erupt through the gums while the baby tooth is still in place. This can cause the permanent tooth to come in at a harsh angle, requiring extensive orthodontic treatment to remedy.

How Baby Teeth Affects Permanent Teeth if Not Removed

If baby teeth are left in for too long, the permanent tooth will still try to make its way through the gums. It will do this by working its way around the baby tooth, coming in at a very severe angle and in a location that is not suitable for a straight, healthy smile. Unfortunately, if too many baby teeth are left in, this can have a serious impact on the permanent teeth and cause the need for extensive treatment to repair. This is why most orthodontists will recommend that baby teeth be removed if they are becoming stubborn and have not fallen out by the time the child is around nine or 10 years old, or if their permanent teeth are starting to come in.

By understanding how baby teeth affect permanent teeth if not removed and knowing when to go to a professional, your child will have a full and healthy smile for life. This can ensure that they feel confident in their appearance and smile. You must look at the different types of options when it comes to your child’s oral care and the best way to go about getting them the care that they need.

McDermott #1 Orthodontist in Baxter MN

The Best Approach to Your Child’s Care

The best thing for you to do when it comes to stubborn baby teeth is to make an appointment with your orthodontist. The professionals will do both an exam as well as take x-rays to see if and when the permanent teeth will be coming in. This can help to determine if baby teeth need to be removed professionally rather than waiting for them to come out on their own. By doing this, you and your child will be saved from needing a lot of additional orthodontic work that may not be necessary if the baby teeth simply came out on their own or with the help of a dental professional.

Your child will benefit from having a straighter and healthier smile. When their permanent teeth can come in properly, this can reduce the chances that they will need braces or more extensive orthodontic work. For this reason, it is important to talk to a dental professional about removing stubborn baby teeth to benefit your child and the health of their future smile.

McDermott Orthodontics is there to help you and your child when it comes to removing those stubborn baby teeth. If you’re ready to bring your child in for a consultation, be sure to contact McDermott Orthodontics so that they can take x-rays and perform an exam to better your child’s oral health.

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