What to Do If Your Child’s Baby Teeth Aren’t Coming Out

Most of the other children in class have begun to lose their baby teeth and you’re wondering why this hasn’t happened for your child yet. Is something wrong? The truth is, although all children develop on their own time, there can be underlying issues as to why baby teeth are not falling out. If this is the case for your child, we may be able to shed some light on why this is happening and what you need to do about it.

Why Baby Teeth Aren’t Coming Out

If your child isn’t losing their baby teeth yet, there is most likely a logical explanation for this. It is important to note that if your child is delayed in losing all baby teeth, that is less of a concern than if it were 1 or 2 teeth having been delayed after he or she has already begun to lose a few.

Factors that can contribute to a lack of movement with the baby teeth include:

• Not enough space for permanent teeth to erupt
• Structural issues within the mouth
• A permanent tooth is delayed in development
• Nutrition deficiencies
• Genetics and gender

It’s helpful to understand why this is happening (or in this case, not happening) to better establish your next steps. If you can find the root cause of this problem, you’ll be able to figure out what you can do and who you can turn to for help.

Look Into Your Child’s Nutrition

You may want to quickly take a closer look at what your child is eating before you panic. A simple change to their diet may help facilitate tooth loss. Proper nutrition is key to healthy development, and children need a diet rich in calcium and other important minerals to help keep their teeth strong enough to push through the gums. Try to avoid giving them sugary, processed foods and focus on a nutrient-rich diet.

Seeking Help from a Professional

In some cases, your child may need a little assistance to get rid of their baby teeth. Your child’s dentist can tell whether or not there is a structural issue with how the teeth are developing through a series of x-rays. If it is found there isn’t enough room for the permanent teeth to erupt, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist to create a plan of action for your child. In some instances, it may be recommended to have some baby teeth removed to allow the permanent teeth to erupt. An orthodontist can also help if your child’s permanent teeth are growing in the wrong direction, which is a common cause of delay in tooth development.

If your child’s baby teeth are not falling out on their own at a reasonable age, their adult teeth will most likely come in crooked or in the wrong place as they try to find space to erupt. Talking to your child’s dentist or seeing an orthodontist will help keep your child’s oral development on the right track.

At Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, our team is dedicated to helping your child get a healthy smile for life. Call (843) 4-BRACES to get started with us!