A loose tooth can be a cause for concern. As adults, having a loose permanent tooth usually means something is wrong. However, for children, loose teeth are a normal part of growing up. As children’s baby teeth fall out, the permanent teeth grow in to replace them. During this transition, teeth can become loose. The good news is that in children, a loose tooth will often heal itself as the permanent tooth moves into place. However, it’s important to understand what causes loose teeth in children, when it’s normal, and when you need to see a dentist.
What causes loose teeth in children?
Loose teeth in children are caused by the normal growth and development process as adult teeth begin to push through the gums. As the permanent teeth emerge, they put pressure on the roots of the baby teeth, causing them to loosen. This loosening allows the baby teeth to eventually fall out so the permanent teeth can take their place.
The loosening process is due to the bone holding the baby teeth beginning to dissolve in response to the pressure from the permanent teeth. This is a normal biological response called resorption. As the adult teeth get closer to emerging, more bone dissolves, making the baby teeth looser.
At what ages do children normally get loose teeth?
On average, children will begin getting loose teeth and losing their first baby teeth around age 6. However, the age range varies quite a bit from child to child. Here is an overview of the usual age range for loose teeth:
Lower front teeth
– Loose teeth between ages 5-7
– Loss of teeth around age 6-7
Upper front teeth
– Loose teeth between ages 6-8
– Loss of teeth around age 7-8
Lower lateral incisors
– Loose teeth between ages 7-9
– Loss of teeth around age 7-9
Upper lateral incisors
– Loose teeth between ages 8-10
– Loss of teeth around age 8-10
Lower canines
– Loose teeth between ages 9-12
– Loss of teeth around age 10-12
Upper canines
– Loose teeth between ages 10-12
– Loss of teeth around age 11-12
First molars
– Loose teeth between ages 9-12
– Loss of teeth around age 10-12
Second molars
– Loose teeth between ages 11-13
– Loss of teeth around age 12-14
As you can see, there is quite a range, but in general most kids will start losing teeth around age 6 and will have lost all primary teeth by age 13. If a child is outside of these ranges, it’s a good idea to see a pediatric dentist.
Is it normal for a loose tooth to bleed?
It is common and normal for a loose baby tooth to bleed a little bit when it first becomes loose. This bleeding occurs because of the damage to the tooth roots and surrounding bone as the permanent tooth pushes through. As long as the bleeding is minor and stops quickly, it is not a concern.
However, if the tooth bleeds excessively or bleeds every time it is touched or wiggled, this could indicate a problem. Significant bleeding may be a sign of infection or injury and you should take your child to the dentist.
Can loose teeth tighten back up?
Once a baby tooth has become loose, it will not tighten back up. The process of the permanent tooth moving up through the gums and putting pressure on the roots of the baby tooth is irreversible. The space for the permanent tooth needs to be made, so the baby tooth will continue to loosen until it falls out.
However, if a baby tooth becomes loose too early, before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt, it may initially feel less loose. This is because there is a period when the permanent tooth stops moving up for a while before it starts moving again. But the overall loosening process will continue until the tooth falls out.
Can a loose tooth heal itself and reattach?
Unfortunately, no. There is no way for a loose baby tooth that is beginning to fall out to reattach itself or heal. The loss of bone and root structure is permanent.
The pressure from the permanent tooth underneath continues, so the baby tooth will just keep loosening until it comes out. Even if a loose tooth was wiggled too much and became very loose quickly, it cannot reattach.
However, if a permanent tooth is loosened due to injury, infection, or gum disease, it is possible for it reattach over time in some cases. But a loose baby tooth in a child will not reattach.
How long do loose teeth take to fall out?
On average, a loose baby tooth will take 3-4 months to fully loosen and fall out after it first becomes wiggly. However, this can vary quite a bit depending on the child. Some teeth may take only a few weeks to come out after becoming loose, while others may take up to 6 months to fully come out.
Factors like the location of the tooth and how quickly the permanent tooth is erupting impact the length of time a loose tooth persists before falling out. Front teeth often come out faster than molars. Upper teeth usually are looser longer than lower teeth before falling out.
If a loose tooth does not fall out within 6 months or it becomes very painful, it’s best to see a dentist to assess what is going on.
What should you do for a loose tooth?
When your child first complains of a tooth feeling loose, start monitoring it but don’t worry. Gently wiggle the tooth to assess how loose it is. Typically, limited wiggling will not make it fall out faster, despite what some think. Just encourage your child to be gentle when playing and eating to avoid knocking it out before it’s ready.
Make sure your child continues proper oral hygiene by gently brushing the loose tooth and using floss to clean around it. See a dentist if any signs of infection like swelling gum, fever, or bad taste/odor arise.
You can also talk to your child about the exciting milestone of losing their first tooth! Let them know their grown up teeth are on the way.
When should you see a dentist for a loose tooth?
See a pediatric dentist right away if any of the following occur:
- Your child complains of severe tooth pain
- Tooth becomes very loose suddenly after an injury
- Tooth is still loose after 6 months
- Gums are red, swollen, or bleed excessively
- You notice decay or a cavity in the loose tooth
- Your child has a fever that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter medication
- You notice a foul odor coming from the gums near the loose tooth
- Your child has difficulty eating or sleeping due to tooth pain
These can be signs of a problem like infection that needs prompt dental attention and treatment. Leaving an infected loose tooth can lead to much bigger issues.
Are there any risks with a loose tooth?
While a loose tooth is a normal part of growing up, there are some risks to be aware of:
Injury to the permanent tooth
If a loose baby tooth is knocked out prematurely, it’s possible the emerging permanent tooth can be damaged. See a dentist right away if your child reports pain or bleeding after a fall involving a loose tooth.
Choking hazard
When a loose tooth falls out, young children are at risk for choking on it if they swallow it. Make sure they spit it out over a sink and that you find the tooth.
Infection
Loose teeth can allow bacteria to more easily enter the gums and cause infection. Signs include swelling, severe pain, fever, and bad odor coming from the gums by the tooth.
Can a dentist remove a loose tooth?
If a loose tooth persists for many months or is painful, your dentist may recommend removing it. Typically dentists prefer to let loose teeth come out on their own. But if it is causing problems, a dentist can quickly and easily extract a loose tooth.
This is done similarly to pulling out a tooth with tooth pliers or an extractor tool. The dentist will numb the area first so your child does not feel pain. Removing a stubborn loose tooth can relieve pain and prevent any potential issues like infection from arising.
Do permanent teeth grow in straight after losing baby teeth?
Often the teeth do not immediately grow in perfectly straight after a baby tooth falls out. There is typically some overlapping as the permanent teeth shift into place. Mild crowding and gaps are common. If teeth appear very crooked or crowded, see an orthodontist.
Some bite issues like underbite and overbite may also be noticeable after losing teeth. See an orthodontist by age 7 for an evaluation. Catching problems early makes treatment easier.
Can a fall cause permanent damage to loose teeth?
Yes, it is possible. If a child suffers an injury like a fall that impacts a loose baby tooth, it can damage the underlying permanent tooth that is still developing under the gums. This is because the baby tooth roots are dissolved, so they cannot absorb the impact.
Signs of possible damage to the permanent tooth include:
– Increased tooth pain or sensitivity to temperature
– Bleeding from the gums around the tooth
– Tooth appears darker in color
– Swelling around tooth
– Tooth becomes very loose or falls out after impact
See a pediatric dentist immediately if your child experiences any of these symptoms after a direct impact to a loose tooth from a fall or blow. Prompt treatment is needed to prevent lasting damage to the permanent tooth.
Do teething babies get loose teeth?
No, teething does not cause teeth to loosen. Teething refers to the period when infants are getting their first baby teeth emerge through the gums. It generally occurs between ages 4-7 months.
Teething can cause gum swelling, fussiness, and increased saliva. But it does not loosen infant teeth. Loosening of teeth is a separate process that only occurs years later when permanent teeth begin moving up to replace baby teeth.
If a baby’s teeth appear loose during teething, it should be evaluated by a pediatric dentist as it is not normal.
Conclusion
Having loose teeth is an inevitable part of growing up for children. It occurs as the baby teeth loosen and fall out to make way for the permanent teeth. While it can be an unsettling sensation when teeth first become loose, in most cases there is no reason to worry. Loose teeth are simply a sign your child’s adult teeth are on the way.
Make sure your child sees their dentist regularly during this transition period. Alert them if any signs of infection, injury, or damage occur. With proper care and dental monitoring, your child will move through this milestone in their oral development smoothly.