4 Reasons Baby Tooth Extraction Would Become Necessary

Like learning to walk, talk, and use a spoon, losing baby teeth is an important part of your child’s development. Although these primary teeth must eventually go to make way for their permanent counterparts, you know you shouldn’t try to force this step too soon. Primary teeth serve an essential purpose, and you should generally wait until they come out naturally.

Then, why on earth would your pediatric dentist recommend extracting a baby tooth? Continue reading to find out!

Reason #1: The Baby Tooth Is Too Badly Decayed or Damaged.

As soon as your baby’s first tooth erupts, it becomes vulnerable to cavities. That’s why it’s recommended to start taking your child regularly to a pediatric dentist by the time they turn one year old. If the cavity is identified and treated early enough, a filling or crown can preserve healthy structure and prevent the need for extraction. However, some decayed or cracked teeth are too damaged to support a restoration. In this case, to prevent further harm or pain, the tooth needs to be extracted.

Depending on the timing of the extraction, your pediatric dentist may place a space maintainer where the baby tooth used to be to keep their other teeth from shifting and crowding as the permanent ones erupt.

Reason #2: The Baby Tooth Is Being Stubborn.

Although most baby teeth come out when they’re ready, some seem to refuse to fall out naturally within a reasonable timeframe. In some situations, the permanent tooth emerges before the primary one leaves, creating a layered, “shark tooth” appearance in your child’s mouth. In others, permanent teeth can be thrown off alignment, leading to more intensive orthodontic work in the future to correct it.

Having a pediatric dentist professionally extract the stubborn baby tooth can make sure it’s done safely and comfortably for your growing child.

Reason #3: Your Child Has Suffered Mouth Trauma.

With any kid, bumps and falls occur often, especially while they’re young. If your child accidentally gets hit in the mouth with a toy or falls off equipment at the park, they may absorb the impact with their mouth, which can dislodge a baby tooth or two.

Once a baby tooth comes loose, even prematurely, it may be more appropriate to simply remove it than leave it hanging in your child’s mouth. Unlike permanent teeth, primary ones have extremely shallow roots, meaning that they won’t successfully re-integrate into the tissue. If your child experiences this kind of dental injury, remember that space maintainers can help prepare the mouth for permanent teeth later.

Reason #4: Your Child Has a Rare Oral Condition.

Although uncommon, certain oral conditions can happen to kids too. For instance, gum disease is the top reason for tooth loss among adults, but kids don’t often suffer from bleeding, red, or puffy gums. Without treatment, however, your child’s gums can pull back, which allows bacteria to infect and degrade the jawbone. Eventually, this inflammatory disease leaves teeth feeling unstable and could necessitate removing them altogether.

Other rare conditions include too many or abnormally shaped teeth. If your child has more than 20 baby teeth, they might not all fit comfortably or properly in their small mouth. Teeth with odd shapes can struggle to come out on their own, which means extraction may be warranted.

Unless your pediatric dentist finds one of these problems, you can carry on with caring for your child’s baby teeth as normal and preserving their baby teeth while they still need them. Remember: helping your child learn dental health habits early on can set them up for a lifelong, strong smile.

About the Practice

Dr. James Forester and Dr. Natalie Vander Kam are board-certified pediatric dentists who serve kids at Coastal Pediatric Dentistry in San Luis Obispo. In addition to years of experience and training specifically treating kids, they are both parents and easily connect to young patients. At each appointment, they strive to make children and their families comfortable and make the visits educational and fun. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, call us at 805-592-2020 or reach out to us online here.