Your child will eventually lose their first baby tooth. Though it may be difficult to see your baby grow up so quickly, the first lost tooth is a momentous event in their life. If handled correctly, it shouldn’t be too painful, they can have fun during the process, and you get adorable toothless pictures to embarrass them in their teenage years. Today, Dr. Scott’s pediatric dentistry team will discuss the do’s and don’ts of helping your child lose their first tooth.
Related Post: Children and Teeth Development
Is the Tooth Ready to Go?
The first loose baby tooth can lead to a bit of anxiety for your child. They’ve never gone through this before! Although they may have friends sporting a toothless smile, they may worry about whether it will hurt. While it may be tempting to pull the tooth right away, the body is very good at preparing the tooth to come out naturally. Attempting to remove a tooth before it’s ready can pull on the sensitive roots and cause unnecessary pain.
If your child is impatient, let them know they can wiggle their tooth to encourage the tooth to loosen. Have them eat a crunchy apple or carrot to help with the process. Once the tooth is ready to go, your child should be able to pull the tooth with minimal force.
Related Post: History of the Tooth Fairy
How to Pull the Tooth
If your child is scared to pull their first tooth when it’s ready to go, you can step up and do the deed. Start by washing your hands, then wiggle the tooth with a clean tissue or gauze pad. If the tooth is ready to go, a bit of wiggling and soft twisting will have the tooth out in no time. Once the tooth is out, apply pressure with gauze if there is any minor bleeding. Examine the gap to ensure there are no pieces of the baby tooth left in your child’s gums. You may see the top of the adult tooth already beginning to poke out. If any fragments of the baby tooth remain, or the area is red and painful in a few days, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist.
Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Scott Today
If you are looking for a highly qualified pediatric dentist in Springfield, Missouri, you have come to the right place. Dr. Scott and his pediatric team have been serving the children of the Ozarks for over 25 years. Call our team today at 417-887-1220 to schedule your next appointment.
