A visit from the tooth fairy is an exciting experience to most children. Some parents may notice that the permanent teeth are growing in and the baby teeth are not even loose as parents monitor their kids teeth. Children usually start to lose their baby teeth around age 6. When the permanent teeth can grow in behind baby teeth, often referred to as “shark teeth,” there are actually common instances. This condition is fairly common and this situation can fix itself in some instances. To further expound on when permanent teeth come in before baby teeth have fallen out, we at Smile Reef would like to discuss.

Baby Teeth Not Falling Out But New Teeth Coming In

Permanent teeth usually grow in behind baby teeth when the size of the permanent tooth is too large for the space occupied by the baby tooth. This occurs when a permanent tooth that doesn’t fully erupt forward or when there are two rows of teeth along the lower jaw or overcrowding. When the root is all but gone, the baby teeth become loose and fall out, generally. Through the gums behind them, the permanent teeth miss the baby teeth and push in some individuals. Because nothing is pushing and dissolving their roots, the baby teeth stay in place. When the baby teeth fall out without assistance, this condition is not painful, and will even fix itself more often than not. Once the baby teeth are gone and the new space opens up, the permanent teeth should shift into their proper position.

When to See a Pediatric Dentist

When you should make an appointment with your child’s dentist, there are a few factors involved, and they include the following list below.
1) If the baby teeth have not come out after several weeks.
2) Causing remaining baby teeth closing the gap, a premature loss in baby molars, as it eliminates the space for the permanent molar to come through.
3) Meaning the tongue can neither push the baby teeth out nor the permanent teeth forward, the upper-front baby teeth will not come out.
If your child can wiggle their tooth and cause it to fall out on its own, the permanent teeth should move into the space in time. From the initial crowding caused by stubborn baby teeth, permanent teeth come in crooked and worsen overcrowding.

Pediatric Dentistry

A dentist can remove the baby teeth to make room for the permanent teeth. An X-ray may be taken to check the baby tooth’s roots. If there is not enough room for the permanent teeth to come in, the dentist may trim some of the neighboring baby teeth. The permanent teeth should shift into their final position within a few weeks or a couple of months. If the permanent teeth do not move into the correct position, your child may have to see an orthodontist to correct their alignment. While the permanent teeth erupt, call in the experts of Smile Reef if you are concerned about your child’s baby teeth still in place. We can take the appropriate X-Rays and determine the best course of action with your appointment.