Why Does My Child Need Their Baby Teeth Removed?
Baby teeth typically fall out on their own once your child’s grown-up teeth begin to make their way through the gums. But there are certain occasions when a child will need to have a baby tooth extracted rather than waiting for the tooth to fall out naturally. This may come as a surprise to many parents who may not have considered their child’s baby teeth are as important as their permanent teeth.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your child’s baby teeth may need to be extracted by a family dentist and what you can do to prevent situations like this from happening in the first place.
Your child’s tooth decay is extensive
Believe it or not, tooth decay can start just as your child’s teeth begin to come in. Sleeping directly after bottle feeding, drinking sugary beverages, eating sugary snacks and foods, and eating crackers and chips can all contribute to baby tooth decay. These sugary foods and carbohydrates coat your child’s baby teeth and serve as food for the bacteria in your child’s mouth.
Without regular brushing or wiping down your child’s gums, your child’s risk of baby tooth decay increases. By the time they reach kindergarten, over 40% of kids have dental cavities. If the decay gets to be too much and begins to cause your child pain, their baby tooth may need to be extracted.
Your child’s tooth has been damaged
Rough-housing, sports, and even just falling down can sometimes lead to cracked or broken teeth that can be incredibly painful for your child. In the event that one of your child’s teeth become damaged, it may be in their best interest to have the baby tooth removed.
Your child’s baby teeth won’t fall out on their own
Usually, when a child’s baby tooth is slightly loose, the tooth will become wiggly over the next few days and will eventually fall out on its own. However, that isn’t always the case. If your child’s baby teeth aren’t falling out naturally, you may need to contact your family dentist office to have them extracted to avoid your child’s permanent teeth from being impacted.
Looking for a local family dentist office? Hudson Family Dental offers family dentistry services right in Las Vegas so your entire family can get the dental care they need. For more information or to schedule an appointment with us, contact Hudson Family Dental today.