Are There Ever Times Where You Need to Replace a Lost Baby Tooth?

Generally speaking, we know the timetable for when you should expect your child’s baby teeth to start falling out. However, from time to time, things may not go according to plan and you may wonder if a tooth fell out too early, or if an avulsed tooth needs to be replaced. There are times when this is necessary.

Too Soon Can Be a Problem

Generally, children lose their baby teeth in the order that they appeared. Most children lose their first tooth by the age of 6 and they lose their molars around age 13. Occasionally, a baby tooth may fall out way ahead of schedule.

If one or more baby teeth are lost early, it can cause dental complications such as:

• Shifting of the surrounding teeth
• Bone loss in the jaw
• Overcrowding of adult teeth

While we may opt to replace a lost baby tooth, x-rays will reveal what stage the adult tooth is in. In many cases, the space can be managed with a space maintainer instead of replacing the tooth.

In Case of Injury or Avulsion

If your child’s tooth is knocked out or loose due to injury, call us immediately and come to see us. Generally speaking, we do not replace lost baby teeth because permanent teeth are coming in. However, if a baby tooth is lost and the adult tooth has not appeared within three months, we will need to assess and possibly intervene.

Prevention and Monitoring

The potential issues associated with premature tooth loss can have a negative effect on your child’s lifelong oral health if left unattended. Regular checkups are a vital part of maintaining your child’s dental health.

Continue to encourage your child to floss daily and brush twice per day. If your child hasn’t been in to see us for a while, give us a call to schedule a visit.