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When do loose baby teeth require a visit to the dentist?

A child in a dental office
A child's milk teeth go through several stages before they fall out.

First, they form and grow in the jaw, then they emerge in the mouth and remain there for a few years, and finally, the roots begin to shorten, causing them to fall out and be replaced by adult teeth.

The loss of milk teeth is a natural and painless process that you should not worry about. However, some symptoms can indicate that something is wrong and that you should see a dentist.

What are baby teeth?

Baby teeth, also known as temporary teeth or deciduous teeth, are the first to appear in the mouth. As their name suggests, they have a limited lifespan.

At the age of 3, a baby has an average of 20 teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars.
From 6 years old, the child begins to experience the loss of milk teeth and the appearance of the first permanent teeth.
The loss of baby teeth usually occurs in the following order:

  1. Upper and lower incisors between the ages of 6 and 9.
  2. The upper and lower canines at around 11 years of age.
  3. The 2 lower molars, then the 2 upper molars at around 12 years of age.
Although baby teeth are intended to be replaced, they are essential for the development and growth of the child's jaw. They also make room and guide the appearance of permanent teeth that could not immediately develop in the child's small jaw.

Temporary teeth also enable the acquisition of oral functions such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking and define the child's facial features.

How do baby teeth become loose?

What leads to the loosening and loss of deciduous teeth is the loss of their roots over time. This process is also known as physiological root resorption.

It is genetically programmed and involves pressure exerted on the root tip of the milk teeth by the upcoming permanent teeth.

As the permanent teeth develop, they move outwards and shorten the roots of the milk teeth, causing them to loosen and fall out.

About two-thirds of the permanent tooth's root has formed when the baby tooth falls out. They may even have erupted through the gums. However, it will still take another 6 to 12 months for the tooth to complete its eruption.

Problems that may be related to loose baby teeth

Loose baby teeth are a natural process and should not be a cause for concern. However, in rare cases, it may be associated with underlying problems that should prompt you to see a dentist or pedodontist. These situations include:

Early loss of baby teeth


On average, a child loses his first milk tooth at around 6 years old. 1 to 2 years of difference should not alarm you as long as the permanent tooth is showing up in good condition.

However, if you have noticed that the primary tooth has fallen out with its full roots, or if the permanent tooth has not appeared in the next few months, you should see a dentist for a check-up.

This could be due to decay, infection, trauma, crowding, a medical condition, or something blocking the path of the permanent tooth.

Delayed eruption of permanent teeth


A delay of 1 to 2 years is also not a cause for concern. However, if this persists even years later, it may mean that the permanent tooth is stuck in place in the jawbone. It may also be a condition called dental agenesis, in which a permanent tooth is missing.

Painful, discoloration, and bleeding loose baby teeth


The loose temporary tooth may be associated with pain or discoloration. In that case, this may indicate that it is infected and needs to be removed quickly before it damages the underlying adult tooth. The symptoms of an infected baby tooth are as follows:

  • The crown of the tooth is decayed.
  • Abscess or swelling of the gum or cheek around the tooth.
  • The tooth looks grey or brown.
  • Fever and swollen lymph nodes under the lower jaw.

If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to see a dentist before the infection spreads, leading to more serious complications.

Dental crowding


This is often a concern for parents. The growth of a permanent tooth out of its place is a common situation. The milk tooth stays in place and the permanent tooth grows through the gum underneath. This can leave your child with two rows of teeth.

To avoid future crowding and malocclusion, you should see an orthodontist to assess the situation. He may suggest a few extractions to make it easier for the adult teeth to come in.

What to do if your child has loose baby teeth?

A loose primary tooth does not mean that it will fall out immediately. The physiological resorption process is long and takes a few years. This time depends on the growth rate of the tooth underneath.

Therefore, it is unnecessary to force a loose baby tooth. The best to do is to let the permanent tooth do the work.

Trying to remove a milk tooth too early can damage the gums. Plus, it's uncomfortable for the child.

However, if the tooth is bothering your child and is about to come out, you can try to pull it out gently.

The best-known technique for pulling out a baby tooth is to ask your child to bite into an apple so that the tooth falls out by itself.

Finally, a good rule of thumb is to make sure that the lost tooth is temporary and not permanent.

How to differentiate between a baby and a permanent tooth?

Permanent teeth are so-called because they are there forever. They are larger and naturally less white than milk teeth. The contrast with baby teeth is more pronounced when the dentition is mixed (both milk and permanent teeth are present in the mouth).

Another difference is that the permanent incisors have a wavy edge marked by 3 small lobes when they first appear in the mouth. However, this disappears with natural wear and tear and later becomes a straight edge.

If a permanent tooth becomes loose or damaged, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. Adult teeth are meant to last a lifetime.

How to take care of baby teeth?

Firstly, if you notice any signs of infection, such as pain, redness, bleeding, or swelling, take your child to the dentist immediately to rule out the risk of complications.

Teething is a special moment for your child. It's also the perfect time to teach him about good oral hygiene practices.

Starting with the basics, teach your child to brush properly, using an age-appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste.

Also, explain to him the basics of healthy eating and the risks of excessive sugar consumption on their oral health.

Finally, regular visits to the dentist are essential. Checking, detecting, and preventing tooth decay as early as possible is crucial to avoid complications that require more complex and traumatic treatments.