Losing Baby Teeth
By Gina Ritter

Never have I seen a child so excited to lose a tooth as my second born son. It was one of the biggest signs of becoming a big kid to date, and coincided with his learning how to whistle and finishing his first chapter book in the same weekend. Finally! He was a big boy! Now he wouldn’t be the only one in class who hadn’t lost a tooth.

When the first tooth wiggled just a little, we warned him not to push on it too much and for good reason. He was on top of the world! That is, until he couldn’t chew without his top tooth colliding with the bottom, causing him pain. He cried about the pain and the annoyance on and off for a few hours before it finally plunked out and hit the floor.

When do baby teeth fall out?
An early teether as a baby may loose teeth earlier in childhood as well - you may have a child of only four years loosing her first tooth. However, it’s better for a tooth to stay longer under the gum line as it will be hardier and less cavity prone.

Typically in the fifth or sixth year your child will begin to lose the two bottom front teeth, followed by the two front top teeth. Any child over seven years old who has not lost a tooth should take a precautionary visit to the dentist to be sure there are no problems. X-rays may be suggested to check for teeth under the gum line.

Once in a while a child will grow ‘shark teeth’ and the new teeth will begin growing in behind the baby teeth, pushing them out in a few weeks. This is actually quite normal, but you should visit the child’s if you have questions or if the ‘shark teeth’ remain for 2-3 months.

When is it ok to pull baby teeth?
The root of the tooth begins to dissolve over weeks or months, causing the tooth to fall out. They need no help coming out unless they’re literally hanging by a thread causing gum pain. Please don’t allow extreme measures like using string to pull the tooth! You may even have a tooth caught in a piece of food or harmlessly swallowed.

Wiggling a tooth is fine, but shouldn’t be encouraged to the point of pain and hands should be washed beforehand to prevent germs from entering the mouth and root area. The root needs to dissolve enough, otherwise breaking a tooth off at the root might cause infection. If a tooth is very loose but just hanging on, you might use fingers, washcloth or tissue to turn the tooth around – literally rotating the tooth in its socket.

If the child is experiencing discomfort, offer liquids, soups, and all the mashed or pureed foods they can tolerate to keep them well nourished until the tooth comes out. If the child is simultaneously experiencing pain and swelling from their six-year molars arriving at the same time, treat with your usual brand of pain reliever or a topical tooth pain relieving gel.

Ok, the tooth has come out! Now what?
New teeth waiting below the gum line will soon grow and sometimes they’ll look oddly large and not as nice. Ridges will show across the top, they’ll be off white, and they’ll look as if they’re twice the size they should be. Don’t worry! Your child will grow into them. Visit a dentist if the teeth are twisted, crowded, or otherwise obviously abnormal.

Don’t Forget!
Be sure your child continues to brush twice daily and floss with your help if needed! In all the excitement, they may be inclined to forget or want to skip their tooth brushing routine.

RESOURCES

Lost Tooth Inflation Article
The Tooth Fairy is serious business in most households with school-aged children. Who can forget the anxiety of having a loose tooth? The accompanying fear that the actual pulling will be painful and the careful placing of the tooth under your pillow are honored rites of passage. The best of all is the thrilling excitement of waking up and searching under your pillow for a shiny quarter - or $1.78 as the case may be.

Tooth Fairy Land
You can visit my gift shop, read about the history of The Tooth Fairy or learn the answers to common questions kids have. I am also so very happy to be able to maintain a photo gallery of children showing off their lost teeth -- or rather, their space where a baby tooth used to be. There are so many Tooth Fairy Helpers that help make Tooth Fairy Land a magical place, visit the dental emergencies section for some first aid tips, and the showcase of Lost Tooth Stories.

Other Lost Tooth Books and Products

Gina Ritter is the owner of Natural Family Online, co-owner of the Balter Catalogue Company, a mom to three precious boys, and an artist. You may reprint this article by contacting her at gina [at] taylexson.org.