When to Visit a Dentist About a Baby Tooth That Won’t Fall Out
By Robert Spoont | Published on May 17, 2011 | 0 Comments
For parents, deciding what constitutes a dental emergency can be difficult. Nonetheless, Boca Raton dentist Dr. Robert Spoont of Freedman & Spoont, P.A. says that the majority of instances involving baby teeth falling out – or not falling out – are not considered true dental emergencies.
As a parent, Dr. Spoont says that the best way to determine whether a child’s wiggly baby tooth has become a problem is by looking at how much the child is eating. If a child cannot eat because of the pain or discomfort that a wiggling baby tooth is causing, then it may make sense to schedule an appointment with a dentist in Boca Raton and come in for an exam.
However, if a child has a loose baby tooth that will not seem to fall out and he is not complaining of any pain, then Dr. Spoont says it is usually okay to leave the baby tooth alone and wait for it to fall out on its own. Just because a baby tooth or a primary tooth is taking longer than expected to come out does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong, says Dr. Spoont.
Having an examination in times where a loose baby tooth has become bothersome or painful to a child is important, and it is not a waste of time, since there are certain issues that can come up when primary teeth are starting to come out. For one, Dr. Spoont says that primary teeth that refuse to budge can create problems for the adult teeth that are trying to come in. In certain situations, a child’s permanent teeth could start to erupt on the sides of his baby teeth. This is called an ectopic eruption.
If a child has an ectopic eruption, then his baby tooth is not going to come out on its own. In cases like this, it is necessary for a dentist to extract the baby tooth before it becomes an even greater problem for the patient.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.