How to Painlessly Pull Out A Loose Baby Tooth

Losing teeth is both exciting and scary. Kids are thrilled to be taking a step toward growing up but can be nervous about the process. Children may be eagerly waiting for a tooth to fall out while still feeling anxiety about whether or not they'll swallow their teeth while they're eating or sleeping or if losing a tooth will be painful. As a parent, there are numbers of steps that you can take to ease kids' anxiety and minimize the pain that may occur when you pull a loose baby tooth that is ready to come out.

Easy Steps to Pull Out a Loose Baby Tooth

If a child's tooth wiggles back and forth effortlessly without pain, you can follow these steps to pull it out:

• Clean and dry your hands thoroughly using soap and water.
• Help your child open his mouth wide.
• With the help of a fresh gauze pad, softly pull the tooth out, using your fingers.
• With the help of a new gauze pad, put pressure on the gum region if any bleeding occurs.
• Bleeding should discontinue within a few minutes and if that doesn’t happen even after fifteen minutes, seek out a dentist.

Should you pull a loose baby tooth?

Most kids start to lose their baby teeth around age six. Typically the teeth in the front of the mouth are the first to fall out. The baby teeth roots become reabsorbed as the adult teeth start to grow, which leaves just a little bit of connective tissue holding them in place. Consequently, the baby teeth start to become loose. Related Post: How to pull a loose tooth (with Video Guide) Most kids help their teeth fall out painlessly by pressing their tongues against the loose teeth or rocking the teeth back and forth with their fingers. Encourage your child to use these tactics to work loose teeth on their own, which most kids are happy to do. In some instances, a tooth will linger for a few weeks, which can be frustrating or even a hassle, as it can make it difficult for a child to eat or brush his teeth. You must decide if the tooth is ready to fall out. If it's still firmly rooted, leave it in place, as pulling it can be quite painful. If it's hanging by a thread, you may be able to help your child remove it. While many kids are afraid to pull their own teeth, ultimately it's better for them to do it themselves. A child knows better than anyone else how loose the tooth is and whether or not it's painful to pull it. Urge your child to pull the tooth himself before you attempt to do so to keep the pain level to a minimum. [bctt tweet="Should you pull a loose baby tooth?" username="SteffanyMohan"]

If a child isn't able to pull his own tooth, don't be afraid to offer assistance.

Start by rubbing some oral analgesic on the region surrounding the tooth. Oral analgesics are readily available at any drug store and don't require a prescription. Give the analgesic a few minutes to numb the area. You can also opt to give your child a dose of pain medication, particularly if he is feeling anxious about the process. Related Post: How to Teach Children to Brush Daily: Gift 10 Great Books

Take some gauze or a clean tissue, and wiggle the tooth back and forth to determine if it's ready to come out.

A tooth that is ready will be able to move around freely. If it offers little resistance, pull gently. If you have to yank hard, leave the tooth in place and try again in a few days.

Once you've pulled the tooth, it's not uncommon for there to be a little blood in the original tooth spot.

Apply pressure to the region with a clean gauze pad to help the bleeding stop more quickly. Focus on how exciting it is that your child lost his tooth and that the tooth fairy will be paying a visit in the near future to distract him from the pain and blood. Related Post: 5 Child Cartoon Icons That Allay Fears About Visiting The Dentist

After the bleeding has stopped, check the gums for baby tooth fragments.

Most of the time, there won't be any fragments. You may even be able to see the adult tooth poking through the gums. If there are tooth fragments left behind, don't attempt to remove them on your own. Instead, make an appointment with the dentist. Tooth fragments may become embedded in the gums, which can be painful and lead to further dental problems. [bctt tweet="How to Painlessly Pull Out A Loose Baby Tooth: A Dentist's Advice " username="SteffanyMohan"] Pulling a tooth may cause a small tear in the gum. Any time there is an opening in the body, there is a risk of infection. Although the chance of infection is very low, keep an eye on your child over the next week following a tooth pull. If your child complains of pain or there is redness in the gum area, take him to see the dentist. If you ever have any questions about the way that your child is losing his teeth or how his adult teeth are coming in, consult with your dentist. They will be able to check your child's teeth and offer a professional assessment of any potential issues.

Why It’s Important to Care for Baby Teeth

Even though baby teeth remain in the mouth for only a brief period, they should be adequately cared for as they play a vital role in:

• Maintaining room for their permanent counterparts
• Retaining the normal look of the face.
• Offering support for proper speech development.
• Helping attain proper nutrition through better chewing capabilities.
• Allowing a healthy beginning for the permanent teeth

Teeth Care Tips for Toddlers

It is essential to teach your child about good oral habits from the age of 2 until they are around 8 so they can enjoy optimum dental health, throughout their life. Here are some tips:

• Guide your children to use fluoride toothpaste (suggested by the American Dental Association) for brushing their teeth.
• Replace your child’s toothbrushes on a regular basis to minimize the harmful bacterial growth.
• Also, ensure to take your child for a routine dental checkup at the dental office near you twice a year.