Between the ages of five and seven, your child will likely lose their first tooth. Usually, this happens before the adult tooth that will take its place emerges, but (as you know being a parent) things don’t always go according to the textbook. As a result, some children have two rows of teeth, which is referred to as “shark teeth.” If you’re curious if shark teeth in kids are normal or if you should reach out to their pediatric dentist, then read on!
So, Should You Be Concerned About Shark Teeth?
Shark teeth are more common than you might initially think. If you’re at all concerned about your child, contemplate the answers to the following questions:
- Is my child in the normal tooth loss time frame (between five and seven years old)?
- Are their baby teeth starting to wiggle?
- Is my child experiencing any pain or discomfort?
Depending on your answers, you can either continue to encourage your child to wiggle their baby teeth at home or schedule an appointment with their pediatric dentist before the end of the week.
How To: Help Your Child Lose Their Baby Teeth
It’s very common for children to be a bit scared about losing their baby teeth, which is why it’s so important that you don’t rush the process. Instead, do what you can to get them excited about this milestone by reading them books, watching educational videos, and sharing your positive thoughts on the topic. It’s also important to encourage them to wiggle their tooth (with clean hands) often to help it fall out. Lastly, you can provide them with crunchy foods, like whole apples, to help loosen the tooth naturally.
6 Tips for Keeping Your Child’s Smile Healthy
There’s a common misconception that baby teeth don’t need to be cared for since they eventually fall out. That’s not the case! In addition to keeping room for the adult tooth, your child’s primary teeth help them chew properly, enunciate clearly, and smile confidently. For all of those reasons, it’s important that you do your best to encourage healthy habits, like:
- Brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day
- Flossing between any two teeth that touch
- Coming in for a dental checkup and teeth cleaning semi-annually
- Keeping foods and drinks with added sugar to a minimum
- Wearing a mouthguard during sports
- Not biting their nails, chewing on ice cubes, or sucking their thumb
About the Practice
Our team at Simply Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics knows it can be overwhelming at times trying to keep up with everything that your child needs to stay happy and healthy. That’s why our Nashua pediatric dentists and orthodontist do more than provide caring and compassionate care; we also answer questions, provide helpful tips, and share recommendations on which products to use! If you would like to schedule an appointment with us for your child, then visit our website or call (603) 255-7955.