At the Center for Beautiful Smiles, we celebrate the moment your child loses their first tooth. It is a great milestone for growing children and having the correct information is crucial in this stage of your kid’s development. Losing a tooth is an opportune moment to reinforce healthy dental practices and possibly introduce new ones to them too.
Most times when your child loses a tooth, it will be natural and due to the adult tooth growing in the baby tooth’s stead. But sometimes there are accidents or mistakes such as sports injuries or tooth decay that can cause losing a tooth early. If this is the case, we recommend scheduling an appointment at the Center for Beautiful Smiles’ office so that the injury or disease can be treated as soon as possible.
Kids usually begin losing their teeth at the age of six or seven. The process ends around twelve or thirteen on average. The amount of time it takes for a tooth to come out varies ranging from a few days to possibly a few months. However, it may take a few months for the new, adult tooth to grow in completely. If it takes longer, be sure to notify your dentist or oral surgeon in order to make sure the child’s tooth is growing in properly.
After your child’s tooth has come out, they can continue using their usual toothbrush and toothpaste. Immediately after the tooth comes out, it is recommended for the child to rinse with water. If you wish to for a more thorough rinse, have them rinse with salt water to make sure to get rid of any bacteria.
With the permanent teeth growing in, be sure to go over correct dental hygiene. Brushing their teeth twice a day and flossing at least once a day is ideal and changing their toothbrush every three to four months will guarantee optimal brushing. Making sure the child is getting the nutrition they deserve and not consuming foods or drinks high in sugar is also key. These are the teeth they will have for the rest of their life, so it is important that they know how to take care of them.
We recommend that you discuss future dental procedures with one of our dental professionals at the Center for Beautiful Smiles. We know many ways to help your child maintain a beautiful, shiny smile.
We offer dental sealants which protect the deeper nooks and crannies from cavities. If your child is physically active in sports, be sure to consider having them wear a customized mouthguard. This method is the surest way to protect their teeth from physically related injuries.
Once all their teeth have come in, talk with an orthodontist about braces and other tooth alignment options. Also, keep an eye on other dental related issues such as bruxism or gum disease. Lastly, maintain regular appointments with the Center for Beautiful Smiles for maximum oral cleanliness and checkups for any dental issues.