Loose Teeth, Late Teeth and \"Shark Teeth\

By Dr. Mohsen Alozaibi, Tiny Teeth Dental Center, Abu Dhabi

"His friend has already lost three teeth, and his aren't even wobbly!" Losing baby teeth is an exciting milestone, and also a common source of worry. The timing varies a lot from child to child, and most of what parents notice turns out to be normal.

When do baby teeth usually fall out?

The first wobbly tooth usually appears around age 6, although anywhere from about 5 to 7 is common, and a little earlier or later can still be normal. Girls are often slightly ahead of boys, and children whose baby teeth came in early often lose them early too.

A typical order:

• Ages 6–8: lower front teeth first, then the upper front teeth, then the teeth next to them.
• Ages 9–12: the baby canines and baby molars at the back.

By around age 12 or 13, most children have lost all their baby teeth. The process often happens in waves, with quiet periods in between.

Let wiggly teeth come out on their own

A loose tooth is usually best left to fall out naturally. Your child can wiggle it gently with clean fingers or the tongue, but avoid pulling a tooth that is only slightly loose. Removing it early can hurt, cause more bleeding and leave a sore gum.

• Keep brushing gently around the loose tooth.
• Offer softer foods if chewing is uncomfortable.
• Ready teeth often come out while eating or brushing, with very little fuss.

If there is bleeding

A little bleeding is normal. Fold a clean piece of gauze (or a clean tissue), place it over the gap and ask your child to bite firmly for 10 to 15 minutes. Avoid rinsing hard or spitting repeatedly for the rest of the day. If bleeding does not settle after a couple of rounds of pressure, contact your dentist.

"Shark teeth": two rows of teeth

Sometimes a new adult tooth appears behind a baby tooth that hasn't fallen out yet, giving a "double row" look. Parents often call them shark teeth. This is very common, especially with the lower front teeth.

In many cases the baby tooth becomes loose and falls out on its own within a few weeks, and the tongue gradually pushes the adult tooth forward into place. It's worth seeing the dentist if:

• The baby tooth is still not loose after several weeks (or around two to three months at most).
• Your child finds it painful, or the gum looks red or swollen.
• It is happening with several teeth, or with upper teeth.

Sometimes the dentist will recommend gently removing the baby tooth to make room.

The molars parents often miss

Around age 6, the first permanent molars come through behind the last baby molars. They don't replace any baby tooth, so there's no wobbly tooth or gap to warn you, and many parents don't realise these are adult teeth that must last a lifetime.

• Check the very back of the mouth when you brush.
• Brush them carefully, as they sit low while erupting and are easy to miss.
• Ask your dentist whether sealants would help protect their deep grooves.

Some children feel mild soreness while these molars come through. Ask your dentist or pharmacist about pain relief suited to your child's age if needed.

When to check with the dentist

• No baby teeth have become loose by around age 8.
• A tooth becomes loose before about age 4 without an injury.
• An adult tooth has not appeared many months (around six months or more) after the baby tooth fell out.
• A tooth is loose after a fall or a knock. Injured teeth should be checked soon.
• Teeth are coming in very crooked, or a baby tooth seems stuck lower than its neighbours.

An X-ray can show whether the adult teeth are present and developing, which often settles the worry quickly.