Many people do not realize the significance of baby teeth. Not only are these teeth important for eating, appearance, and speech, but primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into their correct positions. This occurs because the permanent teeth develop under the primary teeth. Between six and twelve months of age, your child’s first baby tooth will grow in. All 20 baby teeth will have grown in by the time they are three years old.
The baby teeth usually stay in place until they are pushed out by permanent teeth. By about age six, your child’s baby teeth may begin to loosen and fall out. A baby tooth can be lost early because of tooth decay or an accident. If this happens, the surrounding teeth may drift into the empty space. The teeth in the opposite jaw may also move up or down to fill in the gap. This can cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked.
Once your child has a loose tooth, they may enjoy wiggling it. This is perfectly fine and encouraged. However, if a tooth is not ready to come out, do not force it. This can break the tooth root and may cause infection. Your child will likely be excited about losing teeth so that they can meet the tooth fairy. If you are lucky, they may even go to bed early for their first interaction with the tooth fairy.