There is a direct link between the timing of the loss of baby teeth and orthodontics treatment. Most children start losing their primary (baby) teeth around age six and will continue to do so until around 12. These are just the average ages; some kids will start a little early, and others will start a bit later, which can be completely normal.
Usually, kids lose their baby teeth in the order they came in. For example, kids will lose their two front bottom teeth first and then their two front top teeth. Side teeth are next, then the molars last. Wisdom teeth don’t come in until sometime between 17 and 21 years old.
The American Dental Association created charts that give more detail on the order of the loss and eruption of primary and permanent teeth:
Why Children Lose Baby Teeth in a Certain Sequence
Did you know that baby teeth are formed while the fetus is still in the womb? But they won’t begin to emerge until a child is around six months old. Children will usually have all 20 of their baby teeth by the time they’re three.
Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth that will come in later. When a child is young, and their jaws are continuing to form, there isn’t enough room in the mouth for the larger, permanent teeth. That’s why those permanent teeth come in with the front teeth first, just as the baby teeth did. This ensures the jaw will grow to be large and strong enough to handle the new permanent teeth as they come in.
The permanent teeth grow under the baby teeth, and as a permanent tooth starts to emerge, the root of the baby tooth dies off, causing a loose tooth. Once this process is complete, the tooth falls out, and the new tooth should come in within a month or two.
Early Loss of Baby Teeth and Orthodontics
Some kids can lose a baby tooth early from trauma to the mouth or tooth. Tooth decay can also cause early primary tooth loss. This decay can happen when a child is using a bottle, and it’s left in the mouth for too long (such as when a baby falls asleep). That’s because sugars in the milk or juice can cause bacteria to form.
A damaged baby tooth may fall out before the permanent tooth is ready to come in. This can cause future problems with baby teeth and necessitate orthodontic treatment:
- If a primary tooth falls out too early, it leaves a space.
- With no permanent tooth coming in behind it to fill the space, the other teeth in the mouth will shift toward each other and fill the space.
- This creates crowding issues once the permanent tooth is ready to come in.
- To correct the crowding, your child will likely need orthodontic treatment later on, such as braces or an extraction.
Delayed Loss of Baby Teeth and Orthodontics
Genetics plays a role in when some children lose their baby teeth, so it’s not necessarily unusual for the process to begin a little early or a little late.
If the baby teeth are late in emerging, a different set of challenges can occur because the permanent teeth can start to come in while the baby teeth are still in the mouth.
When this happens, it can look as if the child has two rows of teeth. This process causes the adult teeth to come in crooked, which will then require orthodontic treatment to straighten them.
Early Orthodontic Intervention
If your child has lost a baby tooth and two to three months have gone by without the adult tooth coming in, it’s time to see an orthodontist. If your child is missing a primary tooth for too long, the teeth surrounding that tooth to become loose and move because they’re not supported.
To help with this, the orthodontist can place a “space maintainer” (either removable or fixed) between the existing teeth. This can hold the space for the permanent tooth and prevent the other teeth from moving in to fill it.
Some space maintainers are removable, but these are generally only used by a child old enough to know how and when to remove it and to keep it clean. For younger children or for back teeth, a fixed maintainer is appropriate. It’s attached to the two surrounding teeth by a cement bond, and the orthodontist takes it off once the permanent tooth emerges.
Children who have baby teeth delayed in falling out and permanent teeth coming in will also need orthodontic treatment. After a thorough examination, the orthodontist may want to extract the primary tooth in order to make room for the permanent one.
When to Get an Orthodontic Exam
Even if you don’t notice these types of issues occurring with your child, it’s still a good idea for an orthodontic exam at age seven to see if there are any problems developing with the jaw.
Most of the baby teeth are still in place at this time, and it’s good to have a specialist identify whether there is anything that needs attention.
The American Association of Orthodontists also recommends that children get their first checkup by age seven. Visit their site to read more about the advantages of early orthodontic treatment and how it can prevent or reduce treatment time later on.
Get a Free Consultation at A Perfect Smile Orthodontics
As you can see, the timing of when your child loses their baby teeth and orthodontics treatment is very important.
Catching any issues early can save you and your child from more extensive orthodontic treatment later.
That’s why Dr. Taylor offers all of his patients a complimentary consultation that includes a complete exam with X-rays.
We would be happy to evaluate your child at no cost to you.
To schedule your free consultation, click HERE.
