LOSING BABY TEETH

Jill Decker, DDS

The loss of the first baby tooth is a very exciting event. If this is your first child to lose a tooth, this transition may also be fraught with questions and concerns! The first teeth to fall out are typically the bottom two middle incisors. The average age a child loses his or her first tooth is 6 years old. However, the normal age range for tooth loss is 4 to 8 years old! It is often desirable for a child to lose the first tooth when he or she is on the older end of the range because the mouth has had an opportunity to grow and may be better able to accommodate the new, larger teeth. The timing of the loss of the first tooth often corresponds to the timing of the eruption of the first baby tooth. In other words, if a child grew in his or her first baby tooth early, he or she is more likely to lose the baby teeth early, and vice versa.

A baby tooth falls out when the permanent tooth beneath it grows upward through the bone and wears away the root of the baby tooth. The baby tooth then gets loose and falls out. Occasionally, however, the new tooth grows in slightly off course and grows in before the baby tooth falls out. It is fairly common for the first two permanent teeth on the bottom front to grow in behind the baby teeth. If this occurs, encourage your child to "wiggle" out the baby tooth and schedule an appointment for the dentist to evaluate. Sometimes the dentist needs to extract the baby tooth if it is not falling out naturally and if the permanent tooth is growing into the wrong spot.

Unlike the baby teeth, the new front permanent teeth have little ridges, called mammelons, on the edges of the teeth. These ridges are there to facilitate the eruption of the permanent teeth through the gums and usually wear down to a flatter surface as the child ages. There is typically little or no pain as permanent teeth grow in, but it is critical to maintain good oral hygiene in the area, to minimize the chances of pain and irritation.

Don't forget a Tooth Fairy chest to put under the pillow at night! Celebrate the milestone of losing baby teeth!

Employee of the Month

Hayley H
Billing & Insurance Coordinator

Hayley is a native to Colorado and loves it here too much to move. She has earned an Associates degree in elementary education and has a few semesters remaining at CU.

Hayley loves to be outside or on the water.

Hayley has four nephews and one niece. The nephews keep life exciting. Hayley is the proud owner of a 20lb cat named Fitzgerald who is trained like a dog & does tricks. Her 4lb cat Kylie rules over the house.

Hayley enjoys spending her weekends with her family and her boyfriend, being outdoors, going to the movies or relaxing with friends.

Hayley's favorite thing about working at YDFC is her friendly and kind co-workers that have been great at helping her adjust to a new office.

Hayley's future goals include graduating from CU, buying a house, and taking a trip somewhere amazing.