Pulling Loose Baby Teeth
By the time your child reaches age 3, he or she should have a full set of 20 primary
teeth. They start falling out to make way for adult teeth around age 6 or 7. Baby teeth, as they are often called,
are typically lost in the same order they came in. While it is a fairly straightforward
process –temporary teeth become loose and fall out to make way for a permanent
set – parents often wonder when and how to pull their children’s teeth.
As such, here are five helpful tips for pulling baby teeth:
1. Talk about losing teeth
Having a loose tooth can be exciting for kids. It’s a childhood milestone, and in
many households it means a visit from the tooth fairy. For other kids, it can be
scary. There may be fear of pain, and the sight of blood may be upsetting.
If your child is nearing the age when he or she will lose a tooth, have a talk about
what is happening and how and why it occurs. He or she may have friends who have
lost teeth, or the concept may be entirely new. Either way, it can be helpful to
discuss the process and answer any questions they might have.
2. Don’t force it out
While it may be tempting to just go ahead and pull a loose tooth, especially one
that is dangling, it’s often best to wait. Yanking it too soon can lead to unnecessary
pain and extra bleeding from roots that are still strong. It may also increase the
risk of infection. Give the tooth time.
3. Wiggle away
You may encourage your child to wiggle the tooth gently back and forth to help it
along. Make sure his or her hands are clean.
4. When it’s time, be gentle
When it seems appropriate to “pull,” ask your child if he or she wants to do it
alone or whether they would prefer you to assist. With clean hands, wrap the tooth
in a little gauze or facial tissue and wiggle it free. Perhaps a small tug or light
twist will be involved.
5. If it won’t come out, see the dentist
While it is rare that a baby tooth loosens but refuses to make way for the next
occupant, it does happen. If your child’s loose tooth seems intent on staying put
or is accompanied by swelling and pain, contact his or her dentist.
Kids generally lose all their baby teeth by age 12. Their molars come out last.
In the meantime, it’s important to exercise good oral health, hygiene and safety.
While baby teeth may be temporary, they are still susceptible to injury and decay.
If children lose their primary teeth before their mouths are ready, space can be
limited for adult teeth to erupt. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics,
orthodontists report that 30 percent of their cases originate from premature loss
of baby teeth. Brushing, flossing, preventive dental care, and athletic mouth guards
are all ways to keep teeth healthy and safe.
The role of dental insurance
Dental insurance is a primary indicator of access to preventive dental care. Routine
dental checkups help ensure kids’ mouths are developing properly, and professional
cleanings with fluoride treatments help prevent cavity-causing decay. Furthermore,
your child’s dentist may recommend sealants to help prevent cavities in molars.
Preventive care, including exams, cleanings, fluoride and sealants, is often covered
at 100 percent with your child’s dental plan.
As part of the Affordable Care Act—aka Obamacare—pediatric dental and vision are
essential health benefits (EHB) and must be made available with all health plans,
either as part of major medical coverage or a standalone plan. Covered treatments
and services within this benefit vary from state to state. Be sure you know what
dental and vision coverage your health plan includes and whether or not you need
to purchase the pediatric dental and vision EHB separately. Click here to learn more about how the new health care reform
law impacts children’s access to oral care.