Not Insured and Warried About Child's Permanent Teeth!

Updated on May 05, 2008
K.G. asks from Bothell, WA
23 answers

I just noticed tonight that my oldest son who is now 6, is having his first permanent tooth!!! What a shock for me, and what a feelig of seeing how much my baby has grown!!! Anyway, his baby tooth has not fallen yet and is moving very little. His new one is coming right behing the baby one, not touching it. I have no insurance currently for my son to take him to the dentist (it will start on the 12th of this month). Till then I am very curious to know if we have to remove his baby tooth in order for us to help the new one to grow in the right place, versus behind it... Any ideas from your experience? Will this delay on checking him at the dentist, about two weeks away from now, will have any permenanet effect on the position of the new tooth? Thanks! -K.

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for your great answers! They really give me a peace of mind, to know that everything is normal. I need to make soon an appt. with a Dentist in Mill Creek. If you know a good one please let me know-
Thanks again!!
K.

Featured Answers

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A.O.

answers from Portland on

My 12 year old sons teeth did that all the time. His dentist never worried about it. The last adult tooth was like that and we were waiting for it to fall out so he could have his braces put on. At his cleaning the dentist popped the tooth out really quick. Good luck

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D.H.

answers from Portland on

OH...the joys of baby teeth. My daughter is six. Her teacher says she has "gaposis". Many of her teeth have fallen out and new ones growing back in. I would say leave it alone unless it is bothering the child. Pretty soon the kids will be seeing how many will come out before their friends and he'll be pusing on his teeth to get them to come out. Be grateful that this may be the only tooth problem. My little one's bite is an underbite on one side and an overbite on the other. We will be setting up a dental savings plan soon.(Literally) I was told there was nothing that can be done until she is a couple of years older and most of her baby teeth are gone. Give it a little time, after all you said there was no way you could do anything yet and besides I've seen kids with bigger issues that parents can't address until their kids are older or have to wait while they finish growing. Good luck.

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R.S.

answers from Yakima on

All my teeth came in behind my baby teeth. It's funny now, but my mom used to threaten me with pulling it out while I was asleep, or using the old string tied to the door handle. She never did either one. And, weirdly enough, all the permanent teeth moved into place. Yes, they somehow make their way forward and I had perfectly straight teeth. Anyway, if you call for an appointment today, chances are he won't be seen until a few weeks anyway. My dentist is quite popular and I can't get in for a few months. (If it's an emergency, of course they leave room for that.) Also, you might want to call the dentist office and see what they think you should do. Bottom line is: I don't think you should worry.

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J.G.

answers from Portland on

Most of my teeth as a child came in that way- permanent growing behind the baby tooth- for me the baby tooth always fell out in time for the adult tooth to move up into place and it didn't cause any problems. I would think that it would not cause damage to wait until the insurance kicks in to have a dentist check it out too.

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A.S.

answers from Portland on

I wouldn't worry about the tooth. The same thing happened to my son and it turned out fine. The old tooth eventually fell out and the new one moved into the correct place. I happened to be at the dentist at the time and he said it was no problem.
I'm so glad you'll be getting insurance! That is lucky to have dental.

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L.R.

answers from Spokane on

My oldest is 6. Her first tooth did the same thing as your son. The baby tooth took a long time to come out. Her second tooth is doing the same thing. Her adult teeth come up all the way and the baby tooth is still there not moving very much. I took her to the dentist and they said because she has good space between her teeth they weren't worried about it. It sounded like they only pull it if the teeth are crowded. I think you will be fine waiting a few weeks. With my daughters first I waited a little over a month to go and she was fine.

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K.G.

answers from Seattle on

I just dealt with this with my 6 going on 7 year old! I was concerned and did take him to the dentist. She assured me that the perm. tooth would get the baby tooth loose(er) as it continued to come in. My son thought it was cool to have "shark teeth" for a while and sure enough, it did get wiggley and come out. She also said that his tongue would help push it up into "place" and it already has. Now, his second perm. is coming in behind it's baby tooth and will wait more patiently this time. I guess it is fairly common. I can't say how long to wait before wondering but maybe a simple call to the dentist to answer that question would be okay (without getting charged). By then, your insurance should have kicked in anyway! Funny things that come up when raising kids huh?

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S.M.

answers from Portland on

I wouldn't be worrying about a small delay like that. I was reading up on this very topic the other day cause my son's first permenant tooth (also 6 yo) had broken through and while his baby tooth was loose it wasn't near coming out yet so I too was worried. I read that after the adult tooth breaks through you don't need to take them to a dentist until 3 months have gone by without the baby tooth falling out. If it is a little loose then have him wiggle it, that will give him something to do when he is sitting still and will help to loosen it more. As for coming in behind the baby tooth, that is what my son's tooth did. Those permanent teeth are wider then the baby ones (adult sized) and so they would have to knock out several teeth to fix in the same space, so they come in behind and move as there is room.

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J.R.

answers from Seattle on

Hi, K.,

There's nothing to worry about. This has happened to both of my oldest children. If your insurance starts the 12th of May, take him in and see what the dentist says. He may want to pull the tooth if it isn't loose enough. The only thing you need to be concerned about before then is if he says his teeth start hurting, it needs to come out immediately. This probably won't happen and all will be fine. Once the baby tooth is out, the big one moves into its proper place.

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A.K.

answers from Seattle on

Hello K.,

I have been working in the dental field for 13 years as a Dental Assistant. I have seen many a child in your sons same situation. He will be fine for that couple of weeks. Just have him wiggle the baby tooth as much as possible to help loosen it up. twisting side to side also helps if it becomes more mobile. No worries though this is very common. After the baby tooth falls out his adult tooth will hopefully drop down where it needs to be. Hope this helped.

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A.R.

answers from Eugene on

No, it will not affect his permanent tooth. Both my kids, which are now 13 & 18 had this as young children where they had two rows of teeth like a shark (ha-ha). My daughter even had a check up during one of these times and the dentist didn't even pull it, he said it would come out on its own, there was no reason for undue stress to her of having to have a tooth pulled.
He was right, both my kids permanent teeth moved into place once the baby tooth was gone. My daughter's teeth are near perfect-so there was obviously no lasting effects. Relax Mom.

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T.F.

answers from Eugene on

I would call your dentist and ask them. I'm sure it would be fine to wait. Let the baby tooth do its thing. My thoughts is that once the baby tooth is out the adult tooth would/should move forward to where it needs to be. I don't see the dentist charging you for a question like that. Good luck.

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S.S.

answers from Pensacola on

I dont think waitung 2 weeks will affect it but he does need to have it checked. My oldest had the same problem with a couple of her teeth and had to go to an oral surgeon to have the baby teeth removed because they were not coming out on their own. She did ask for more $ from the tooth fairy for the trumatic experience...lol
Good luck

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J.A.

answers from Eugene on

Hey K., every child is different, but to maybe ease your mind a little, our son had one tooth start growing in in front of his baby tooth, and one behind one of his other baby teeth. Eventually both baby teeth fell out and he has very nice naturally straight permenanet teeth now.

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A.B.

answers from Portland on

No a couple of weeks will not hurt anything as far as the permanent tooth goes. Make sure that he brushes really well between them and get him an appointment asap. I would make it now for a day after the insurance starts. They will want to remove it but it's not a big deal just a little shot and some tugging. I had very bad teeth when I was young and had to have 3 pulled when I was only a little older than you son. It's a little scary but it really doesn't hurt at all. I would also recommend getting a pediatric dentist. They specialize in kids so they are much better at getting him to relax.

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H.H.

answers from Medford on

Hi K., i wouldn't worry about the baby tooth. You will probably have to get it removed from the dentist, but it will be fine till the insurance kicks in. I have a beauty salon and hear all kinds of stories, plus i have 3 girls with dental issues and weak teeth. Anyway one of my customers has a granddaughter who had a baby tooth issue like yours and the dentist pulled the baby tooth and the permenant tooth grew in just fine. I hope this helps. H. h.

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T.K.

answers from Seattle on

I had two of my teeth when I was getting my permanent teeth do that very same thing. My baby teeth weren't even close to being ready to come out. My dentist wasn't worried about it then but I did have to have them pulled. They eventually all lined up perfectly. I have had several dentists throughout the years ask when I had braces and they are amazed when I tell them that I didn't. Just had my wisdom teeth removed. I wouldn't worry about it unless they are bothering him as it should be more than okay during the couple of weeks until you are covered.

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W.J.

answers from Seattle on

The same thing happened to my son. I was worried and took him in right away, but the dentist wasn't worried at all. He said to give it some time and to have him try and wiggle the baby tooth every day. If it isn't out by my son's appointment (not until the end of this month) then they might have to pull it. The dentist said this happens often, and that the tongue is a strong enough muscle that it will automatically push the permanent tooth into place when the baby teeth are gone. I would think waiting until your insurance kicks in wouldn't be any problem. Good luck!

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K.S.

answers from Seattle on

My sister and her daughter also had a "double row" of front teeth. For some reason, the front teeth just came in in the wrong spots. The baby teeth came out with no trouble, though. If I remember correctly my sister's dentist told my mother that the roots dissolve on baby teeth - and nobody said anything about my niece's baby teeth and I vividly remember her losing her teeth so I assume everything was fine for her too.

My sister had to have a tremendous amount of orthodontistry work done to get her teeth into the correct position. It took years, but her teeth are great now. My niece is going through this right now.

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H.K.

answers from Seattle on

K.,

Prior to becoming a SAHM, I worked in dentistry for 12 years. The wait will not be an issue for his tooth; teeth shift all the time. Once his primary tooth is removed, the perm. one will better align. However, it doesn't mean it will pop right into place. Let's face it, most kids need braces!

Good luck & kudos on being such an involved mom!! A lot of moms wouldn't even worry....you're just that much more special.

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

If you are concerned I would call a dentist they should consult for free. Then go to your local DSHS and get you guys on dental. I believe you will have to get medical too but thats not a big thing and it is nothing to be ashamed of. That is what they are there for to help out families. My husband works at a law firm and he gets 100% coverage and to add me and my two boys was going to be almost 1200 a month through his plans. Now he is not a lawyer he works in the HR dept. SO we are not plush for cash and when i found out i was prego again and had no ins it was the only thing i could do was go apply for state. So i would look into it for you guys!!

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A.D.

answers from Portland on

K.,
I just called our dentist two weeks ago for the same exact reason. They told me that the permanent teeth don't come up under the primary teeth like we once thought. The permanent teeth come up from behind. Once the primary tooth is removed, the permanent tooth will come up all the way and move forward into place. They told us to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle and get the primary teeth out.
It has now been two weeks and since our son is not an active wiggler, we are still awaiting the primary teeth to come out. I have actually considered wiggling while he is sleeping, but I'm afraid he will wake up.

Good luck.

K.B.

answers from Seattle on

Don't worry about it. My son's did the same thing. His tooth broke through before the other one fell out and I was wondering if we would need to go to the dentist and have it pulled. But in a few weeks, the baby tooth loosend with the help of the new one pushng through and all is well. This also just happend with one of his front teeth. I would say, as soon as your insurance goes into effect to make an appointment just to have everything checked out for peace of mind.
Good luck.

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