3.5 Yr Old Daughter Losing Teeth Soon?

Updated on April 15, 2008
J.P. asks from Tulsa, OK
21 answers

Quick question: Could my daughter be losing her teeth soon? She's 3 1/2 and complained a couple times while eating hard carrots that her lower front teeth or one tooth (not sure) hurt. Is it too soon to lose teeth and does it sound more like a cavity or just a bumped tooth? I'll ask my doctor after the weekend and I may even have to take her to the dentist. Should she be going to the dentist regularly at this age?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

I will be taking my daugther to the dentist even if the sore tooth was nothing, just so she can get a regular check-up. She hasn't complained since those couple times, so maybe she did just bump it. Thanks for the advice everyone!

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.M.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Yes I would say that 3 1/2 is soon to be loosing teeth. It is possible she has a small cavity. Also she does need to see a dentist 2 years old is the average age to start children at the dentist. Best of luck to you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.G.

answers from Little Rock on

My children have been going to the dentist since they were 3 years old. I scheduled them as soon after their birthdays as possible. The dentist/hygienists may not get to do the full exam and flossing and polishing, but every little bit that they do helps. Every time they go, the kids will allow them to do more.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.H.

answers from Auburn on

J., hello! I am a mother and grandmother, so I've been where you're at. Children should start visiting the dentist when they are 3. The first visit generally is just a check-up, and sometimes a cleaning. The receptionist can fill you in when you call to make the appointment. Usually, the staff kind of makes a fuss over the child, this helps the little one to feel important and special, safe and secure. She'll get a new toothbrush, and some kind of a toy. This is all to ensure that her first dental experience is a pleasant one. If a child's first experience at the dentist's office is a bad one, she will hate & fear going to the dentist forever. Her current problem is probably just a sore mouth: she may have bumped her mouth or chin while she was playing. I always say better safe than sorry though! Good luck! G.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.H.

answers from Jonesboro on

My dentist recommends starting them at the dentist at age 3.

I think it sounds like a bumped tooth - cavities would hurt when any hot or cold or sweet food touched it...

Usually kids start losing teeth during their 5th year.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.H.

answers from Fayetteville on

I'm not sure why her tooth hurts, I wouldn't think it would be a cavity when eating a carrot. She could have sensitive teeth like if the carrot was cold it could bother her. Check with your doctor. Yes, my pediatrician said kids should start seeing the dentist every 6 months starting around age 3.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Hattiesburg on

my dr. told me that kids need tobe at a dent. at age 2. my son will be 3 in july and has never been, i guess i need to get one soon

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.B.

answers from Tulsa on

Look in your phone book for a Pediatric Dentist. A regular Dentist who treats children is not a Pediatric Dentist. It will save you time and energy in the long run because if your child needs a filling or other dental work done a regular Dentist won't usually do the work. Pediatric Dentists put the kids to sleep and do all the work at one time. If you have dental insurance call your insurance company and find which ones the pay, if you have Sooner Care make sure you call the Dentists office and aske them if they accept it.

Our Pediatric Dentist in OKC is wonderful and K loves to go. She is 4 1/2 and the X-rays show she is about to lose all her bottom front teeth. Every day she askes me if her new teeth are coming yet.

My oldest daughter had all front 8 teeth missing (4 top/4 bottom) in her Easter pic before she started Kindergarden. All she had was eye teeth and molars and she was just 4yrs. old then. She also got her first tooth at 3 months. The earleir your kids teeth come in the earleir they fall out for permanant teeth to come in.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Fayetteville on

Hey, J....
Yes. She is too young to lose her teeth. Most kids don't start to lose them until about mid-way through Kindergarten.

Call the dr. on Monday and ask to be sure and explain the situation. You don't want their to be hidden damage that you don't know about. It is very easy for them to get cavities between their teeth. It may just be that the carrot was especially hard or too cold.

She should be going to the dentist for sure (they really should start going at about 18 months). They will just talk about her teeth and "count them" with some good toothpaste or make them "pretty"...My sister does fun things like offering funny sunglasses or princess sunglasses to wear so that bright light doesn't shine in your eyes.

Does she brush her own teeth? That's great if she does and then you take a turn brushing her teeth too. I'm sure you already brush your teeth while she brushes hers to model good brushing.

Here's a little rhyme that we say all of the time as we brush...Up like a rocket, down like the rain, round and round like a choo-choo train. It's hard to go around and around on their little teeth but later when they are brushing independently you will have already taught that important skill of going around and around.

I hope it works out and she is fine. These little teeth can really affect those permanent teeth so I hope for her sake there's nothing wrong. C.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Tulsa on

I think 3.5 is too early to lose teeth so most likely she has decay. When our oldest was three he had his first real dentist visit and they found something like eight cavities! We were unprepared for this since we limited his sugar and he brushed every night. Turns out he has a condition where his enamel is very poor, or missing, in the case of his adult teeth. There is nothing we can do to prevent him from getting cavities. By the time we know he has a new tooth it is already pocked with holes. So by all means get her to see a dentist!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.P.

answers from Lake Charles on

YEs she should be going to the dentist regularly. Usually after their 2nd birthday, they should have their regular 6 month check ups

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.J.

answers from Birmingham on

I started ouc children on regular check ups at about 3 and heard that was the best time to start to identify any problems. Find someone who does pediatric dentistry and always stay in the room with them during ANY procedure. If the dentist or assistants wants to discourage you from staying, tell them you will either leave or stay in the room. If they says it's an OSHA regulation (bologna!) you can easily stay out of the way by standing right by the entrance or at the foot of chair. I told them that their legal counsel would probably recommend me staying if I wanted to - they never questioned me again and I stay out of the way completely, but I do stay.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Little Rock on

i believe 3 is when you're suppose to start taking them, although i haven't taken my 31/2 daughter yet...but i do know they don't lose teeth until closer to 6...actually my son is 7 and doesn't even have a lose tooth yet! if she keeps on complaining, i would go ahead and take her to the dentist, otherwise, it was probably just sensitive..hope this helps!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Tulsa on

My dentist said that children should start having check ups at 3 yrs old. I took my daughter at three and she already had a cavity. I'm going to take my son a litte before 3.

Kids usually don't start loosing teeth until arount 5ish.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.N.

answers from Chattanooga on

J., I have been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 26 years and feel that all children should have their first dental visit no later than when all 20 of their primary (baby) teeth have erupted. It sounds a little early for your child to looose a tooth but not unusual for a girl to loose their teeth early, just take her to a dentist, they will be able to tell what is going on, they may have to take an x-ray to see if the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
The best way to approach the first visit is to be very positive-tell her she is a big girl now and old enough to go to the dentist-please leave out the not word when tell her what they will do for her.
A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.P.

answers from Charleston on

As far as what could be making it hurt, I don't know, I would call your dr. on Monday. But they do not start to lose teeth typically until around age 6. As far as going to the dentist, my dr. has said that children should have they're first dentist appt. by age 1 and then every 6 mths. after that to help them get accustomed to seeing the dentist. Up until age 3 all they do is an exam then at 3 they start cleanings. good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Hi Jodi. I am a dental hygienist. It is too early for your daughter to be loosing teeth. I would suggest having a dentist look at them just to make sure everything is ok. It would be good to have her start going regularly for check-ups. I usually tell parents to start around age 3 becuase that age on average seems to work the best. Most kids before that are just not mature enough. I hope everything turns out ok for you and for her.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.C.

answers from Tulsa on

If you are in the Broken Arrow area, Dr Owens is an awesome pediatric dentist. We have used him for 7 years and several of my friends' kids go there also.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.W.

answers from Montgomery on

Take her to see the dentist, my oldest started seeing the dentist at age 3 and has never stopped going and my yougest will start as soon as he turns 3.

If the tooth hurts it is for a reason. When children loose their baby teeth at around age 6, they ususally complain of a loose tooth not one that hurts.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Oklahoma City on

You daughter's tooth could be a few different things but she's really too young for her teeth to start falling out. They don't usually start falling out until about 5 or 6 but that's all relative to the kid. If it's a cavity you might be able to see it. Look at her tooth for a dark or discolored spot. I would definitely take her to the dentist for peace of mind and the earlier they go the easier it will be to teach her not to be afraid of the Dentist. You should also check your area for a Pediatric Dentist. I always feel more comfortable taking my toddler to places set up for kids.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.V.

answers from Little Rock on

yes, she should be giong to the dentist regularly by now. my children, almost 4 and 5 love to go. Make sure you find a pedeatric dentist who loves chldren. we have one who puts on heads phones when they lay down and when they look up to get their teeth cleaned there is a tv they watch. it is great!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.U.

answers from Oklahoma City on

You should definitely get her to the dentist asap! My 18mo old had to have 4 baby root canals done because his enamel wasn't properly formed. ALL kids you have regular dental check-ups starting after their first birthday.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions