While losing baby teeth is a natural event for children, first-time parents may be unsure about what to expect when it comes to this important milestone. To determine whether your child’s lost teeth are normal or if you may need to schedule an extra visit with a pediatric dentist, consult the helpful guide below.

A Guide to Baby Teeth

When Children Lose Their Baby Teeth

Many children lose their first baby tooth at the age of six or seven. Every child develops differently, so this could happen earlier or later. As long as your child visits a pediatric dentist for their cleanings and exams every six months and you haven’t been alerted to any issues, their teeth should come out in time. Baby teeth tend to fall out in a pattern similar to that in which they grew in, with the front teeth falling out earlier than the rest.

How to Deal With a Loose Tooth

If your child’s tooth is loose but seems as if it just won’t fall out, encourage them to be patient. After a tooth becomes loose, it can take several weeks for the tooth to separate from the roots and gums completely. While your child can wiggle it gently, avoid pulling on it directly, as this could aggravate sensitive nerves.

What to Do If a Tooth Becomes Loose From Injury

Injuries incurred during sports and playtime can cause a baby tooth to become loose or get knocked out before it’s ready. In these cases, it’s always a good idea to visit your pediatric dentist as soon as you can. The dentist will check your child for signs of infection or damage to the permanent tooth underneath. Permanent teeth may take weeks to appear and months to erupt fully.

Professional dental care is important throughout every stage of childhood, whether your child is beginning to lose their baby teeth or has just started to grow them. At All Smiles Harrisonburg in Virginia, you can rest assured your child will receive the utmost level of care and attention with the practice’s experienced pediatric dentist. They offer solutions such as space maintainers, so erupting adult teeth have room to grow in after baby teeth are lost. Learn about these and other pediatric services on their website, or call (540) 432-1300 to schedule an appointment.