Loose Front Teeth

Hi, L.,

It is unusual for a 3.5 year old to start getting loose teeth, but there is a great deal of variation in this process. Is there any pain or bleeding associated with the loose teeth? Which front teeth are they? Do they move more than one millimeter in each direction at the tip ? This may be hard to estimate, but this can indicate how much of the root is left. Baby teeth don't become loose unless there is a new permanent tooth underneath in the bone pushing against the root and causing it to resorb (melt away). The teeth may even tighten up if the permanent teeth stop moving for a bit (sometimes this happens). If you are really concerned, you could have your dentist take an X-Ray to see what is going on inside the bone, but it sounds like a normal, if early, process.

If you have more questions, you can call me...D. Cotner, DDS ###-###-####

My two oldest who are twins both lost their teeth early. My daughter was just over 4 when she lost her first bottom tooth. I was concerned and talked with her dentist and he checked her out and said she was fine. He said that kids lose their teeth at all different ages and that 5 and 6 is just an average. She is now almost 5 1/2 and has lost 4 teeth and has 3 of her permenent teeth. It does make her look much older then she is though.

Hi L.,
Did they x-ray them? I suggest having them x-rayed if not. That is pretty early to be losing them, not the norm. Did he start getting them early? He may just be on the fast track, but have them x-rayed to be sure.
Sincerely,
L.

Lynette:
I'm a heretic dentist and I don't care when the teeth fall, but to save the space for the permanent ones. You do not want to expose your child to unnecessary x-rays. If they fall, let them fall, then save the space for the new teeth.
Also, be aware that flouride is a poison (the kids do not need the unnecessary -again- fluoride treatment at the dentist's office). They do not need fluoride toothpaste as well. If they have a good diet, or supplementation with the right minerals (and trace minerals) they do not need fluoride.
good luck

My cousin lost his first baby tooth just before his 4th birthday. It's rare but not unheard of.

My son was early in all his tooth development his entire childhood. He is now 21. He got every tooth two years early. He lost his front teeth at 3 1/2 also, and got all his molars in early. I wouldn't worry that much. It did take longer for the new front teeth to come in agian, but they did. :)

My cousin lost her two front teeth when she was a young 4, and several others right away after that. (She had been born with a few teeth as well, though, so her teeth had never been totally normal!) Anyhow, she has beautiful teeth now so I guess it is possible to lose one's baby teeth very young and have no ill effects from it.