All of us will lose baby teeth before our permanent teeth begin to poke through. When children lose their first teeth, it can be an uncertain time. Once a child has loose teeth, they will typically fall out on their own within a few days, or as the child wiggles them with their finger or tongue, but there are some circumstances where a child may need help removing baby teeth. Whether it is one of their last teeth, they have fear around pulling loose teeth, or it is blocking their adult teeth, there are some reasons when pulling them at home is necessary.
Reasons Not To Pull Loose Teeth
It is best for baby teeth to fall out naturally, so you should avoid pulling loose teeth unless necessary. Pulling a tooth too early can lead to complications like spacing, misalignment, or crowding. Here are some complications that could come from pulling teeth too early or without the help of a professional.
Risk Of Infection
Pulling a tooth or having a tooth knocked out of your mouth can lead to a higher risk of infection. Damaging the surrounding tissues and gums can cause inflammation and infection if you use your hands or another object to pull the loose tooth. Having a tooth pulled at a dental office by a professional who uses sterile tools and proper techniques to prevent infection.
Damage To Permanent Teeth
Pulling out a baby tooth at the wrong time can lead to damage to the adult tooth underneath. Pulling them before the permanent tooth is ready to poke through the gums and fill the space could cause weak permanent teeth to form or the tooth to come in crooked.
When Pulling Loose Teeth Is Ok
There are some common signs that pulling a child’s loose teeth is the best option. Loose teeth often occur when the adult tooth is ready to poke through the gums, meaning that it can come out without any issues. Here are some signs it’s time to remove the loose baby tooth.
Obstructing Adult Tooth Growth
When a baby tooth is obstructing a new adult tooth from pushing through, it is time for it to be removed. Many times, a baby tooth with an adult tooth ready to take its place will be monitored by a pediatric dentist. The dentist may be able to help remove the baby tooth so that it doesn’t affect the growth of the permanent tooth.
It’s Hanging By A Thread
Baby teeth fall out because the surrounding tissue starts to recede. When a child is ready to lose a tooth, it gets really wiggly and loose. When a tooth is hanging on by just a few fibers, you can help remove it from the child’s mouth by pulling it, and encourage the child to eat something to get the tooth to fall out on its own.
Best Practices For Pulling Baby Teeth At Home
Pulling a tooth can be scary for a child and should be handled with care. If you need to pull the tooth without the help of a dentist, here are some tips to ensure the process goes smoothly.
- Have clean hands and clean tools: Before handling a tooth, your hands should be clean or you should be wearing gloves to prevent infection. If any tools need to be used, make sure they are also cleaned thoroughly to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Use gentle techniques: Pulling loose teeth is no easy task, even if it is already loose. Be patient and gentle with your child and encourage them to help wiggle the tooth to prevent unnecessary pain.
- Provide reassurance: Providing comfort and reassurance about the process can help your child get through this more easily. Talking to the child about how this is necessary, can be fun (tooth fairy or prizes), and how staying healthy is an important part of life.
Never Pull Adult Teeth Without A Professional
Since all of us will lose our baby teeth, it is appropriate to gently remove them or encourage children to lose these teeth naturally. However, when it comes to adult teeth, you should always consult with your dentist before the removal of a permanent tooth. There are some circumstances where an adult tooth should be removed, but removing it at home is not a safe option.
Dentists will be able to use anesthetics, numbing agents, and provide pain medication to ensure that the patient is comfortable. Removing an adult tooth should also come with a placeholder or mediation against further tooth loss. Implants or spacers will be needed to help those who have lost an adult tooth. If a wisdom tooth is removed, you will need proper care and cleaning to avoid infection. Getting this support and help from your dentist can ensure optimal healing and a healthier smile. Our team at Sunset Dental is here to help with any oral health concerns you may have. Reach out to us to get started!