Losing teeth can be an interesting transitional period for your kids, and it might be one that you don’t have strong memories about other than maybe a few visits from the tooth fairy. Because most parents lost all their teeth years before their kids start losing theirs, they often have a lot of questions about the process of losing teeth when it comes to their kids. For example, a common concern for kids is how long they might have to wait for their adult teeth to come in after their baby teeth fall out. This is actually pretty normal for a few different reasons. How/when your child’s teeth will fall out and get replaced is often different from child to child. Here are a few reasons that your child might need to wait for their adult teeth to come in.
Lack of Space or Other Baby Teeth In The Way
The biggest reason your child will not get their adult teeth right away is that there just isn’t room. Adult teeth are larger than the baby teeth they are replacing. This can sometimes mean that the adult teeth cannot erupt through the gumline until multiple baby teeth fall out. Otherwise, the adult tooth might erupt behind some of the baby teeth, creating a “shark tooth” effect. In this case, it is best to just wait for the other baby teeth to loosen and fall out on their own.
Impacted Adult Teeth or Coming In The Wrong Way
Another thing that can happen is that a tooth can grow in the wrong way. A tooth can start to collide with other teeth if it comes in at a strange angle. This is referred to as becoming impacted. This is very common for wisdom teeth and is the reason that these teeth are usually surgically removed. In other cases, the tooth might come through but show up twisted or otherwise misaligned. In these cases, your dentist will likely recommend an orthodontic consultation in order to have this addressed.
When To See A Dentist About Your Child’s Dental Development
Ideally, you are bringing your children to the dentist twice every year for their routine cleanings and dental checkups. During these visits, if you or your kids have questions about their dental development, your dentist can answer them. Likewise, the X-rays your kids get once a year should be able to show if there are any issues causing problems for your child’s adult teeth. If you or your kids are concerned that their adult teeth aren’t coming in or a baby tooth isn’t falling out, a quick dental appointment can help.
Schedule Dental Checkups in Chicago
With twelve family-friendly dental offices throughout Chicago, we can help you and your kids manage their oral health and track dental development. For more information, please give us a call to set up an appointment at one of our offices.