Many parents are curious about whether their child’s baby teeth are erupting on time. Losing baby teeth prematurely is also a common concern. Is your child’s loss of teeth is occurring on-schedule? First, make sure you understand the eruption schedule. You can learn more about the teeth eruption schedule by reading this article. The sequencing and timing of the loss of baby teeth are easy to follow. Keep in mind that the loss of teeth often lasts six years from start to finish. Just as important, the reason that temporary teeth begin to loosen and fall out is to make room for permanent teeth. Normally that first lose tooth starts to wiggle at around the age of six.
Early Tooth Loss
In some cases, children begin to lose their teeth as early as four years old. We don’t consider this to be premature, but there are things to keep an eye on. In this case, your child’s baby teeth most likely erupted early and are actually on schedule. Your child’s’ teeth usually fall out in the same order they erupted.
Tooth Eruption Sequence and Tooth Loss Sequence
The first baby teeth to erupt are the two bottom front teeth, then the top front teeth. You should expect the same sequencing when the teeth begin to fall out. Learn more about teeth eruption.
Potential Issues With The Loss of Baby Teeth
If the baby tooth or teeth lost is not in the correct order, then keep an eye on this tooth or teeth. There are potential issues of the tooth not replaced by a permanent tooth or teeth within three months.
Crowding Issues:
Remember, the baby teeth hold a spot for the permanent tooth until the adult tooth is ready to erupt. A tooth that falls out too early needs to be replaced within three months; if not, the underlying teeth can begin to crowd. You will see that the permanent teeth will come in crooked. Sometimes adult teeth come in before baby teeth are lost, creating what looks like two rows of teeth. This issue is usually temporary, yet in either case, if the permanent tooth does not come in on time and or if the second row of teeth persists, then schedule a dental appointment.
Premature tooth loss from an accident or tooth decay:
Sometimes, a tooth falls out prematurely because of a traumatic event or tooth decay. In this case, a space maintainer is put into place to preserve the space for the permanent tooth.
Basic tooth eruption details:
- A general rule of thumb is that for every six months of life, approximately four teeth will erupt.
- Girls usually precede boys in tooth eruption.
- Lower teeth typically erupt before upper teeth.
- Teeth in the top and lower jaws erupt in pairs — one on the right and one on the left.
- The color and size of permanent teeth are different than primary teeth. Temporary teeth are smaller in size and much whiter in color.
- Expect all primary teeth erupt by the time a child is 2 to 3 years of age.
Baby Teeth Are Important
Baby teeth help your child chew food easily, help with speech development, and hold a place for permanent teeth. Make sure you know how to care for baby teeth.