My family's dental health is important to me. Unfortunately for me, it is not as important to my little ones. Getting my kids to brush and floss on a daily basis is almost like taking on an obstacle course. I talked to my family's dentist about different methods I could try to encourage them to brush and floss on a regular basis. Some of the tricks worked, some did not. After some experimentation and talking to other parents, I was able to come up with a lot of great tips for helping kids care for their teeth. I started this blog to help other parents get creative when it comes to their kids and dental care.
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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health
When Your Little One Has A Loose Tooth Don't Panic: Here Is What You Need To Know
Bella Snyder
Children begin losing their teeth somewhere between the age of five and seven. While a completely normal and healthy process, it can be a stressful time for parents. Do you pull the tooth or let it fall out? Is the loose tooth painful? These are just a couple of the questions you might have. Here is some helpful information to ease some of your fears and help you better meet your child's oral health needs.
To Pull Or Not To Pull
The most pressing thing on your mind is likely whether or not you should just yank the tooth out your little ones' mouth. Day after day, you see it literally dangling. Resist the urge and leave the tooth alone. Although you can't see it, the baby tooth is loosening at the same rate the permanent tooth is growing.
Once the permanent tooth has reached a certain growth level, the baby tooth will automatically fall out. Allow this process to occur naturally. Additionally, pulling out the tooth can cause discomfort and increase the risk of infection.
Be On The Lookout For Discomfort
When it comes to discomfort, every child will have a different experience so it is important to keep a watchful eye. For some children, this process is completely painless, almost unnoticeable. For other children, the loose tooth can irritate the gums around the tooth, causing the gum area to swell and become tender.
If your child is complaining of mild discomfort, placing a cold compress on the gum can alleviate some of the pain. If the child is complaining of intense pain, it's a good idea to reach out to their dental provider to see what's necessary.
Don't Panic Over Slow Growth
Just because your child loses their tooth on Friday doesn't mean that the permanent tooth will break through by Monday. All children develop their teeth at different rates. With some children, you can see their permanent tooth immediately after the baby tooth falls out.
For others, an extended period of time might pass before the permanent tooth actually breaks through. Both of these scenarios are healthy and normal and shouldn't send you into a panic. The fact that your child's tooth has fallen out means they are moving in the right direction.
As always, your child's health is the most important thing. If you are concerned about your child's oral health development, don't hesitate to speak with a kid's dentist.
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