More often than not, loose teeth fall out on their own without any sort of pain. However, there are some cases in which it makes sense to pull a loose tooth.
A child's baby teeth (primary teeth) typically begin to loosen and fall out to make room for permanent teeth at about age 6. However, sometimes this can be delayed by as much as a year.
Is 5 years old too early to lose teeth? Kids start to lose teeth around the same time, but there is still plenty of variation. Finding a loose tooth early isn't necessarily a cause for concern, especially at 5 years old. Some children start losing teeth as early as age 4!
The quick answer from a pediatric dentist: Do not pull your baby's loose teeth. It is hard for children to chew if they have a loose tooth, so you may be tempted to assist with removing the teeth. The fact is that you should allow the tooth to come out on its own.
A tooth which is only slightly loose may well tighten back up itself, though it's best to consult your dentist in case anyway. You may notice some light bleeding at the tooth, and will need to avoid biting/chewing with it- rather stick to soft foods as outlined above.
Sometimes parents are afraid that child may swallow the loose tooth if its been ready to come out. If it happens child wont choke and its very unlikely that the problems can occur. It passes through the body.
If your little one wants you to pull their tooth for them, there is a way to do so safely. Start by thoroughly washing your hands. Hold the tooth with a clean tissue and rock it back and forth to ensure it's ready to fall out. If it is, then all you should need to do is twist it slightly, and it should pop right out.
In most cases, the discomfort of a mobile tooth is minimal and will ease once the tooth has fallen out. If the discomfort is more than mild, cold compresses are one of the easiest ways to help reduce loose tooth pain in children.
Not to worry if your child swallows a tooth - since it consists mainly of calcium and will dissolve in acid, it's harmless. If it does not dissolve in the stomach, it will likely shrink until it's small enough to pass naturally.
You don't want to brush your loose tooth, because this can loosen it even further. However, you can clean your mouth by swishing around some warm water. This will remove particles from the loosened tooth, and help reduce bacterial buildup.
Mix a tablespoon of salt in 6 ounces of warm water and swish vigorously around in your mouth. Continue this at least for a minute before you rinse, spit and repeat. This will draw out all that hidden bacteria effectively. Gradually, your gums will begin to strengthen and so will the loose tooth.
Teeth naturally tighten themselves back up over a short period of time. If the affected tooth does not firm -up itself then you need to make an appointment at your dentist for an examination. Regular hygiene appointments will decrease the likelihood of your teeth getting loose.
When it comes to dealing with a loose tooth, you should teach your child to be patient and let it fall out naturally. However, if they want to touch the loose tooth, your child is allowed to move it back and forth while applying minimum force.
Permanent teeth normally replace these at different stages between the age of six and 12. The development of permanent teeth is what initiates the shedding of the baby teeth. The process exerts pressure on the roots of primary teeth, causing them to gradually become loose and fall out.
One of the best treatments to stabilize a loose tooth is tooth splinting. In this process, the tooth will be bonded to the teeth around it in order for it to be stable. Whether the tooth is loose due to gum disease or any other reason, tooth splinting will help in stabilizing it.
Fruits and vegetables are an ideal food option when your child has a loose tooth. These foods are rich in vitamins, fiber, and other healthy nutrients. In addition to their nutritional value, crunchy vegetables, and fruits such as carrots, cucumbers, and apples will aid in pulling your child's teeth.
Teeth that have become loose because of lost gum tissue can benefit from a new technique called dental splinting which attaches weak teeth together, turning them into a single unit that is stable and stronger than the single teeth by themselves. The procedure is most commonly performed on the front teeth.
The most common way for a dentist to treat a loose tooth is using a splint to stabilize it. The procedure involves using a splint to attach the tooth to the teeth surrounding it. This holds the loose tooth in place, giving it a chance to re-bond with the surrounding bone structures.
If a milk tooth receives a hard knock, then it may discolour and start to turn grey, yellow or black in colour. This often happens two to three weeks after the initial accident. This means that the tooth's blood supply has been affected and it is struggling to get the necessary amount of blood.
Some kids may lose theirs as early as five or as late as seven, which is still considered normal. The average child will have lost eight baby teeth by age eight; four front teeth on top and four front teeth on the bottom. Between 8-10 you will normally not see much loss or eruption of teeth.
Biting and chewing with a tooth that is not securely attached in its socket can be difficult or even painful — and any tooth that becomes loose is at risk of needing to be removed or, at worst, falling out. It's often possible to prevent that from happening, but quick action is required.
Can a loose tooth be saved? Yes, but it depends on the reason the tooth is loose. If a tooth is loose because of gum disease, it might tighten back up with consistent and proper dental hygiene. A deep cleaning with a hygienist called Scaling & Root Planing is typically the best treatment option.