Loose teeth feel wobbly and are often caused by gum disease, injury, or weakening of the jawbone. They can occur in both children and adults. In children, milk teeth become loose to prepare for the growth of permanent teeth. However, a loose permanent tooth indicates a dental problem. If you pull your child’s tooth too early, they could experience pain and other complications, such as gum infection. Also, you should know the difference between a loose milk tooth, a natural process, and a loose permanent tooth, which needs a dentist’s intervention. This blog explains why teeth become loose, the risks of pulling them, and how to handle them carefully.
Why Milk Teeth Becomes Loose
Milk teeth are essential to a child’s development. They help create a healthy and well-structured smile. Milk teeth loosen as children grow to make way for permanent teeth.
The teeth become loose when the roots of the baby's teeth begin to dissolve. These roots are absorbed by the body gradually, making them lose their anchorage. The tooth eventually becomes wobbly, and it is nearly time to fall out.
A child loses about 20 teeth during their early years. Most children start to lose their teeth at age six. However, each child’s timeline is different, as is how they develop in their timeline.
To Pull a Loose Tooth or Not to Pull
Losing milk teeth is a natural process and should be left as such. The process is gradual, too, so there is no need to hasten it. Most children’s teeth loosen and fall out without intervention or help from adults.
The process starts when the roots of the milk teeth begin to dissolve. It will be pain-free if left to loosen independently, and they will not encounter dental problems.
However, sometimes, it is okay to pull the loose tooth. If the milk tooth is dangling or is attached to the gum by a thin piece of tissue, gently pull it out. If the milk teeth are almost falling out, children may experience little or no discomfort. They may even encourage you to pull them.
Children also play an essential role in helping the teeth become loose while they wiggle or chew their food. Although your child might consent to having the tooth pulled out, you must care and gently pull it and ensure that your child is comfortable throughout the process.
Premature tooth pulling can have several risks. Removing a tooth with not yet dissolved roots can be painful, and your child could lose a lot of blood. Pulling a tooth that is not loose yet could also expose sensitive tissues, ultimately leading to an infection. This is especially true when the pulling was not done under hygienic conditions. Also, pulling the tooth with undue force could cause significant gum or surrounding teeth injuries.
Sometimes, your child may have gum disease or tooth decay, making the process of loosening teeth difficult. Therefore, trying to pull the loose teeth could worsen the situation. If you doubt your child’s tooth is loose, it is always best to consult a dentist.
Your experienced dentist can examine and determine if the tooth needs to be removed and, if so, do so safely. Your dentist will also advise you on caring for your child’s oral health during this critical period.
How to Deal with a Loose Tooth Properly
Milk tooth loss is a gradual process that requires patience. While the best thing in many situations is to let nature take its course, there are gentle ways to help the process.
You could gently wiggle the loose tooth with your child’s help. Teeth loosening could also be sped up gently with simple movements of your child’s tongue or your clean fingers so as not to cause pain. Do not use too much force or pull too hard, as this could harm the tissues surrounding your child’s tooth or cause bleeding. You should give your child some hard food, such as an apple or carrot, to chew on to ensure that you loosen the tooth without them feeling pain.
If a tooth feels barely hanging on, it is generally ready to be pulled. At this stage, your child’s teeth should move freely without resistance and cause no pain when pulled. If your child’s tooth is hanging by the thread, it can be removed easily.
You should wash your hands thoroughly before trying to remove the tooth. You should use clean tissue or a piece of gauze to grip your child’s loose tooth. This gauze acts like a barrier and prevents the transfer of bacteria from your hands to the tissues surrounding the loose tooth.
If the tooth is not as loose and your child complains that you hurt them, you should stop pulling at it. Prematurely forcing the tooth out can cause unnecessary pain and complications. Instead, let the tooth fall on its own.
Once you remove the teeth, place a clean piece of gauze over the socket, and then have your child bite on the gum gently to control any minor bleeding. The area should heal quickly; however, you need to keep the site clean so it cannot contract infections. Let your child know that the gap is normal and a sign that their permanent teeth will emerge soon.
What Happens After Your Child's Teeth Falls Out
A milk tooth finally falling out leaves a small gap, signaling a new phase in your child's oral development. This gap serves an essential purpose: Allowing the underlying permanent tooth to grow. Permanent teeth are larger and stronger than their predecessors, so you want to ensure enough room for them to grow into proper alignment and spacing.
After your child’s tooth falls out, they may feel tender for a day or two. However, this is normal. The mild discomfort should go away in a few days. You must keep the area clean to promote healing during the healing process.
Your child should gently rinse their mouth with lukewarm salt water to help reduce swelling and stop bacteria from settling in the empty socket. You should encourage your child to rinse at least twice daily. Your child should also be careful around sensitive areas and maintain a regular brushing routine.
When the permanent teeth start to break through, you may notice a minor soreness in the gums. Chewing soft foods or using a child-safe oral gel could help relieve any discomfort your child may feel. The permanent teeth will grow over time and take their rightful place in your child’s oral cavity.
The development of the permanent tooth needs to be monitored. If there is a significant delay in the eruption of your child’s permanent teeth or if they appear misaligned, you should consult your dentist. Your dentist may recommend wearing braces to correct the misalignment; early intervention can help prevent possible problems in the future.
Pulling Out Your Permanent Tooth
Just from their name, permanent teeth are meant to last the rest of your life. However, there are times when they become loose or need to be removed. This is not the same as losing milk teeth; if you lose permanent teeth, it simply means there is an underlying problem.
Some of the reasons why you would lose your permanent teeth include the following:
Gum Disease
Gum disease is one of the main reasons you could lose your permanent tooth. Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, is a condition that weakens the structures that support the tooth, including the gums and bone. If left untreated, this can cause the permanent tooth to become unstable.
Trauma from Sports Activity
Trauma, such as a blow to the mouth when playing sports or an accident, can damage the ligaments or bones that hold the tooth in place.
Teeth Grinding
In some cases, teeth may also become loose due to excessive grinding, clenching, or bruxism, which places undue stress on the teeth and supporting structures.
Pulling a permanent tooth is a decision reached after thorough deliberation. Losing permanent teeth can result in long-term consequences such as shifting the surrounding teeth, difficulty chewing, and changes in your facial structure. Your dentist will evaluate all other options before considering extraction.
If teeth are severely damaged or infected or the health of other teeth is in jeopardy, they must be removed. A qualified dentist or oral surgeon extracts a permanent tooth under sterile conditions.
After the extraction procedure, your dentist could recommend replacement options, such as dental implants, bridges, or partial dentures, to preserve the functionality and appearance of the smile. If you or your child notice a loose permanent tooth, you should immediately obtain professional dental advice. Early intervention can prevent further complications and save the tooth.
Factors to Consider When You Should Pull or Not to Pull a Loosened Tooth
The natural loosening process for milk teeth is usually a good indicator of readiness. A tooth that wiggles quickly without resistance or pain is likely ready to come out. Gentle removal of the tooth may be all that is required if it looks as though it is barely attached to the gum and causes no discomfort while your child is chewing.
If the tooth feels like it is resisting or your child complains when touched, you should leave it alone. Premature pulling of a tooth whose roots have not dissolved yet can be uncomfortable and could expose sensitive tissues to infection.
On the other hand, the loosening of a permanent tooth indicates a serious underlying problem. Before extraction, your dentist must address gum disease, trauma, or severe decay. They will also evaluate the health of the tooth and the structures supporting it to decide on the best action to take.
Sometimes, dental treatments such as deep cleaning, splinting, or gum surgery can save loose permanent teeth. Extraction is only recommended if the tooth cannot be saved or if it threatens oral health.
Oral hygiene is also a factor in determining whether to pull a loose tooth. Pulling a loose tooth can worsen the condition if there is any visible swelling, redness, or signs of infection around the tooth.
When to Ask for Help
Sometimes, if you have doubts, you should consult your dentist, who will explain the tooth extraction procedure. This will ensure your and your child’s comfort and avoid future problems.
If your child’s tooth remains loose for a long time without falling out, it could indicate that the root has not dissolved fully or that the surrounding tissues are obstructing its fall. If a loose tooth is causing persistent pain or has swelling, redness, or bleeding that does not go away, you should also consult your dentist. These symptoms could indicate an underlying problem, such as an infection or trauma, that needs to be treated.
Sometimes, a loose milk tooth may not come out because the permanent tooth erupts incorrectly, which is called an ectopic eruption. As a result, you may have a double row of teeth, sometimes called “shark teeth,” requiring intervention to align your teeth properly.
However, if you have loose permanent teeth, you must visit your dentist's office. The tooth might be saved, or at times, it may have to be removed if there is no hope of restoration. This depends on whether it was caused by injury, bruxism, or decay. Your dentist will examine it and take the best action.
Early intervention is recommended for permanent teeth before the dental problem leads to further damage or the destruction of the surrounding tissue and teeth. A loose permanent tooth can be handled well by your dentist. They use specialized tools and techniques to remove the teeth; you will experience little or no pain. The process is also hygienic and not complicated. You are also given aftercare advice to ensure you do not experience any problems in the future.
Find an Efficient Dentist Near Me
Pulling a loose tooth could be unnecessary in some instances, for example, milk teeth fall out as part of a child’s growth. They should come out with little effort once their roots have dissolved completely. However, if you apply force, your child’s tooth could bleed, hurt the gums, or result in a dental infection.
You should allow your dentist to examine you for a loose permanent tooth. Your dentist will work to restore your teeth or, if need be, perform a safe removal. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we provide expert care for you and your child’s oral health. To schedule an appointment, call us at 818-701-3010.
