Focusing on your child’s health and well-being is a part of what makes you an excellent parent. So, when you see that your child has another set of teeth coming in, we understand it can be alarming, but in most cases, it turns out it’s usually no big deal. Rest assured this is a common concern parents have – so you’re not alone in wondering how worried you need to be.
What causes children to have two sets of teeth?
When children have two sets of teeth, it’s actually because they have their set of baby teeth and adult teeth simultaneously. This happens when their set of permanent teeth come in through a way that doesn’t push the baby teeth out. When the adult teeth come in properly, they push on and then break the roots that connect the baby teeth and gum line which causes the baby teeth to wiggle loose and eventually come out. When the roots of the baby teeth do not break, the permanent teeth are forced to come around the baby teeth, which is how children end up having two rows of teeth.
When should my child’s baby teeth fall out?
It varies for each child, but usually, you can expect their baby teeth to come in between the ages of two and three and then get loose between five and seven. Although, the process of their baby teeth being replaced by permanent teeth occurs over the course of a few years. After that process is complete, their molars will come in. One rule of thumb is that for every six months of life, four teeth erupt.
What should I do if my child has two sets of teeth?
There are a couple of solutions to this problem. If your child’s baby teeth are loose you should encourage them to wiggle them and see if they will come out on their own. If your child’s baby teeth are not loose at all you should look into scheduling an appointment with your family dentist for an evaluation.
When to see your family dentist
It is important to note that if your child’s front top or bottom two teeth grow in behind the baby teeth, the other will likely follow suit. Pairs of teeth usually mimic each other, so if this is the case and your child is not uncomfortable it’s usually a good idea to wait and schedule an appointment when both permanent teeth come in.
You should also schedule a family dentistry consultation if the baby teeth are not loose, and the adult and baby teeth are now at the same height. If you’re unsure about being able to tell if the baby teeth and permanent teeth are the same height, a good rule of thumb is to wait two months from the time that the adult tooth comes up. If your child’s baby teeth are still not wiggly at this point, it may be a good idea to schedule an appointment with your family dentist.
If your child’s permanent teeth are coming in behind their molars it may cause their teeth to be crowded. In this case, you also may want to consult your family dentist to be sure there is still enough room in your child’s mouth for comfort and proper oral health.
As always, if your child is in any discomfort as a result of their permanent teeth coming in behind their baby teeth you should make an appointment for them to see their family dentist. It is normal for children to find that when they have a loose or wiggly tooth they may be slightly uncomfortable, but if you suspect they are feeling anything past this same sensation you should schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist.
Emergency dentists will be able to tell you if they think the baby teeth will come loose on their own and the problem will resolve itself or if they will need to be extracted. Oftentimes, this can be determined from an x-ray and simple examination. Every child’s teeth are different so if you are concerned about your child’s baby teeth not coming out on schedule, make an appointment with your 24/7 emergency pediatric dental office.
When should I make an appointment for my child’s mouth to be x-rayed?
It’s recommended that children get x-rays of their teeth every other time they visit the dentist, or once a year. X-rays can also help your dentist get a well-rounded idea of the state of their teeth and oral health.
