While every child’s mouth is unique, pediatric dentists explain most kids will begin losing their baby teeth between 4 and 7 years old. If your little one has passed this age and their incisors are not coming loose, you may understandably be concerned. Making an appointment with your children’s dentist will allow you to discuss potential reasons and treatments. The guide below touches on a few possibilities. 

Pediatric Dentist’s Guide to Challenges With Baby Teeth 

Reasons 

Many elementary school children develop late with no disease or injury. Others could be experiencing dental ankylosis, a condition in which baby teeth fuse to the jaw bone. This atypical process prevents the permanent tooth from erupting through the gums.

While rare, some kids do not have permanent teeth beneath their baby teeth. Since another tooth is not pushing on the primary root, the baby one does not fall out. Causes of this abnormality include dental trauma, crowding, or misalignment. 

Solutions 

Late bloomers may notice their permanent incisors and canines growing behind their baby teeth. If you see this happening in your child’s mouth, do not force them to extract it. Instead, make an appointment with your child’s dentist. An examination will determine if the teeth need more time or if a procedure is necessary. 

However, if the teeth have not budged after continued monitoring, it may be beneficial for the doctor to safely and professionally extract them. Once they are removed, your dental care team can decide if additional treatment is necessary to reposition a misaligned tooth or replace a missing tooth with a prosthetic one.

Your child’s oral health in their elementary school years will set the foundation for a lifetime. Pedodontic Associates will address your family’s dental care concerns and help you decide on treatment options. To discuss your kid’s baby teeth with a pediatric dentist, call to make an appointment at the Hawaii location nearest you: (808) 735-1733 for Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, and (808) 877-0066 for Kahului. For more information about their services, visit their website.