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Losing Baby Teeth

Losing baby teeth is something each and every one of us has gone through in our lives. Still, when your child starts to lose their baby teeth you may find yourself with questions or concerns that require the opinion of a dental professional. At the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre, located in Ottawa, we want to guide you through everything you need to know about losing baby teeth. Below, we have covered some of the most common questions that parents ask us about this subject so that you know exactly how to handle the situation when the time comes for you and your child.

At What Age do Children Lose Their Baby Teeth?
Children will typically lose their baby teeth over the course of a six-year period, starting with the front teeth and eventually ending with the molars in the back of the mouth. The first front tooth will usually be lost when your child is about six years old, and they will continue to be lost until your child is around twelve. If your child begins losing teeth before or after this period of time, then you may want to consider visiting your dentist to take a closer look at their oral health.

When is it Too Soon or Too Late to Lose Baby Teeth?
If your child begins to lose his or her baby teeth before the ages of five or six, then this may be a cause for concern. At any age younger than that, the adult teeth are not ready to grow in and replace the baby teeth yet. This means that the tooth has fallen out for a different reason, and this reason should be determined as soon as possible so that further early tooth loss can be avoided. During your child’s dental appointment, we will determine if the gums and teeth are in good health. Make sure that your child has regular dental checkups so that you can be sure he or she has good oral health before, during, and after the loss of baby teeth.

What to Do When Your Child Has a Loose Tooth
When your child has a loose tooth, it may be tempting for them or for you to forcibly pull or twist it out. However, it is a far better and safer idea to allow the tooth to fall out naturally. Pulling a loose tooth out, no matter how much it can be wiggled, will ultimately cause damage to the gums and cause pain or bleeding for your child. Without gum trauma, you are allowing for a better environment in which the new tooth will be able to grow. If left alone, the new adult tooth will eventually push the baby tooth completely out, and the gums will naturally detach from the tooth on their own. If your child has an extremely loose tooth that is bothering them, we recommend that you visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre, located in Ottawa, for proper extraction. 

What to Do After Your Child's Tooth Has Fallen Out
Mouths heal very quickly, and little needs to be done after a child's tooth has fallen out naturally and without damage to the gums. For the most part, eating, drinking, and oral care can simply continue as normal. If bleeding occurs at the time of tooth loss, then have your child rinse their mouth with slightly warm water to clean the area and sooth the gums. Have your child be careful for the next few days following tooth loss while brushing their teeth. They should avoid the sensitive area of the gums until the new adult tooth has begun to show through and the gums no longer feel raw or painful to the touch. Be extra sure that your child is not touching or playing with the spot where they lost their tooth, as this could cause bacteria to enter the exposed gums.

While the loss of a child's baby teeth is a natural process that occurs completely on its own with little or no dental assistance, it can be helpful to rely on your dentist when questions come up or when your child is losing teeth outside of the expected period of time. Good oral health is important for baby teeth and adult teeth alike, so visit the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa to maintain your child's oral hygiene. If you have any remaining questions about losing baby teeth, please do not hesitate to contact us.

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