I love that my family dentist is tech-savvy. It's so easy to book a dentist on his smartphone app if I have a tooth problem or if anyone in my family needs emergency problems (I can choose either my normal dentist or another dentist in his practise depending on availability). He also has some great cameras so that we can see exactly what is going on during treatment. I prefer not to see this, but my kids love to be able to see the dentist using his specialised tools to clean and repair their teeth. This blog has some tips on finding a tech-savvy dentist to help give your family the best possible dental care.
When your child loses their baby teeth, it's often considered a rite of passage. However, most children are supposed to lose certain teeth at certain ages. If they lose them too soon, they could cause complications. Fortunately, early baby tooth loss is not rare. Your child's dentist can help ward off any potential problems from early paediatric tooth loss. Continue reading to learn more about the causes of early baby tooth loss and what to do if your child has this issue.
When do babies usually get their teeth?
Babies often get their first tooth around six months old. The lower incisors, or the front teeth, erupt first. The other teeth, like molars and canines, erupt later. Lower teeth come in before upper teeth. By the time your child is three years old, they should have at least 20 baby teeth.
When should children start losing their baby teeth?
Most children lose their first tooth at around six or seven years old. Baby tooth loss usually goes in order of when they erupt. The molars are the last to fall out. By the time your child is 13 years old, they should have lost all their baby teeth. Adult teeth, except the wisdom teeth, should also have erupted by that time.
What causes early baby tooth loss?
Normally, baby teeth fall out when the adult teeth push out behind them. However, early baby tooth loss has other causes, including:
What does the dentist do if a child loses their teeth too early?
If your child's baby tooth falls out, do not attempt to place it back into the gums. Doing this could cause additional problems. Instead, take your child to the dentist as soon as possible. You may need to see your paediatrician if the cause was an injury or illness.
In other cases, the dentist will examine your child and possibly insert a spacer where the tooth once was. This spacer guides the permanent tooth into the space to ensure it comes in straight. Without it, the other existing teeth could move into the empty space. If that happens, then the permanent teeth may erupt the wrong way and cause bigger problems.
To ensure your child's permanent teeth come in straight and strong, take good care of their baby teeth. Have your child see a children's dentist regularly and brush and floss their teeth often. If your child has any trauma to their face or mouth, see the dentist right away. If you have questions about your child's teeth, visit a children's dentistry for more information.
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