Throughout your lifetime, you’ll lose around 20 teeth. It’s an entirely normal process and nothing to be concerned about.
But it does cause many parents some stress before they wonder if their child is on the right track and when they start losing their teeth.
When Do Children Start Losing Their Teeth?
The truth is, every child, mouth, and tooth are different. But we’re here to give you all the essential information you need to know about losing baby teeth.
When Do Children Start Losing Their Teeth?
When you lose your first baby tooth is a question many parents, especially first-timers and kids, wonder. It’s an exciting time for everyone with a lot of anticipation!
Most kids will begin to lose their baby teeth around six years old, says this dentist in Tampa. Some kids start earlier, around five, and some won’t lose any until a few years later. There’s just no set timeframe that fits every child.
Many factors go into when a child begins to lose teeth. The main two are the size of their mouth and the movement of the permanent teeth growing in.
With this variable timeline, it’s helpful to stay in good contact with your dentist to monitor your child’s progress.
What are Normal Side Effects?
When a child loses their baby teeth, it’s usually a relatively painless event with few side effects or following issues.
But some children will experience discomfort and pain as the teeth begin to move and wiggle. It’s entirely normal for there to even be some blood blisters or minimal bleeding before the tooth falls out.
After the tooth comes out, there will be some bleeding. This should stop with some pressure and time.
If you’re concerned about anything, it’s perfectly acceptable to call your family dentist for a checkup.
What are the Next Steps?
There’s not much to do after the tooth comes out but wait for the new, permanent teeth to come in.
Just like the baby teeth falling out, permanent teeth coming in happen in their own time and on their timeline. Generally speaking, they usually appear within six months of the baby tooth.
When the new tooth comes in, it’s essential to take extra precautions to take care it by following dental care guidelines. Those include brushing the teeth twice daily for two minutes each and flossing daily.
Your child should continue to have regular checkups with their dentist to monitor the teeth and get professionally cleaned yearly.
Getting in Touch with Your Dentist
Whether you’re curious about when children start losing their teeth or have other questions, it’s always a good idea to check in with your dentist.
Regular dental visits can help prevent problems with your teeth or gums and dramatically improve oral health. Taking your children to the dentist regularly, at least twice a year, will set them up for success.
If you’re interested in more parenting tips and tricks, check out our other articles!
