Every child has baby teeth and usually every child loses them without any problems. But what about those stubborn baby teeth that refuse to budge? What happens when a child still has a baby tooth and their adult tooth is trying to take up the same space? Here are some things every parent needs to know when baby teeth don't fall out on their own.
Double Parking
Most children shed all of their baby teeth by the age of 12. When a child still has a baby tooth and their adult tooth is trying to occupy the same space, it can be referred to as double parking. Parents might simply think the double parked teeth look a little strange. Besides looking odd, however, it can actually be harmful. When a baby tooth is still in the way, it could cause the adult tooth to come up in the wrong spot. When this happens, a dentist will have to intervene to get the tooth in its correct place.
Impacted Tooth
If the baby tooth does not come out when it should, it could also cause the adult tooth not to erupt at all. When a tooth does not erupt through the gum line, it's called an impacted tooth. When a tooth is impacted, there is the chance for infection and other complications, including
- Abscess of the tooth
- Discomfort
- Plaque gets trapped between teeth and gums
- Misalignment of the teeth
Baby Tooth Intervention
If your child's teeth are double parked or you think they might be impacted, it's important to have a dentist evaluate the situation. If the baby tooth can be wiggled, the dentist might decide to wait for it to come out on its own. If the tooth simply won't budge, however, invasive measures might have to be taken.
In instances of double parking, the dentist will determine if the roots of the baby teeth are still intact. If this is the case, the dentist will have to apply a local anesthetic and surgically remove the tooth. If the roots are no longer intact, it means the baby tooth is being held in place by the tough gum surrounding it. In this instance, the dentist can scoop the teeth out with a special instrument. If the adult teeth are impacted, it will more than likely require oral surgery to get them removed.
When your child's baby teeth don't fall out on their own, it could be cause for concern. Be sure to consult with a dentist like http://www.adazzlingsmile.com if your child's baby teeth won't budge.
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