Reasons for Early Tooth Loss in Children


Reasons for Early Tooth Loss in Children

By Wright Smiles

It is normal for children to start losing their baby teeth at about 6 years old, but ages may vary. Children may experience early tooth loss, at about age 4 or later, and it may be completely normal for them, depending on how they develop. The bottom front teeth are generally the first teeth to fall out, and the teeth will all tend to fall out in the order they came in. However, there are some problems that can cause a child to begin losing their teeth earlier than is healthy, which you should be aware of to provide proper treatment to the child.

Tooth Loss from Injury

Children can easily lose their teeth from a hit to the mouth or another accident. If this happens to your child, try to find the tooth if possible. Children can sometimes accidentally swallow their teeth, which can cause difficulty breathing. If you can’t find the tooth, you should take your child to the pediatrician for an evaluation. If you find the tooth, rinse your child’s mouth with water and apply a cold compress to their mouth to stop bleeding and swelling. Let your child’s dentist know what happened so that they can determine if your child will need any dental care. If the permanent tooth is not close to growing in, your dentist may want to place a false tooth so that other teeth don’t crowd into the space.

Tooth Loss from Infection

Early childhood caries, also known as “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay,” can be a serious problem for some children. It involves severe decay and destruction of a child’s teeth, generally in children younger than five. If left untreated, the tooth may have to be extracted. Keep an eye out for signs of decay in your children’s teeth, such as localized, darkened/brown spots on their teeth. If you see these spots, contact your dentist immediately to schedule an evaluation.

ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE CHILDREN’S DENTISTS:

As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.