Understanding Lost Tooth Treatment Options for Children
Losing a baby tooth as a child is an exhilarating experience! You wiggle it until it finally comes out, place it under your pillow, and eagerly anticipate a visit from the tooth fairy. Perhaps you’ll wake up to find a reward or even some money if the tooth fairy is feeling particularly generous.
While baby teeth typically fall out naturally at the right time, sometimes children may lose them prematurely due to accidents, decay, or other reasons. Baby teeth are important placeholders for permanent teeth. Therefore, if your child loses them prematurely, Simply Kids Dental in Colorado Springs, Colorado, offers space maintainers to prevent dental issues until permanent teeth erupt.
Why is losing a baby tooth too early a problem?
Your baby’s first tooth typically appears around six months of age, and by the age of three, they usually have about 20 deciduous teeth. As your child reaches age six, their baby teeth begin to loosen and fall out naturally to make way for permanent teeth.
However, premature loss of baby teeth can occur due to decay, injury, or other factors. While it may seem inconsequential, premature tooth loss can lead to several issues.
When a baby tooth is lost prematurely, adjacent teeth may shift into the empty space. This shifting can affect the eruption of the permanent tooth, causing it to come in misaligned or potentially hindered. Without intervention from a pediatric dentist, premature tooth loss can contribute to tooth impaction and orthodontic challenges.
What is a pediatric space maintainer?
When adults lose teeth, they have options like implants, bridges, or dentures to replace them. However, children require different solutions. A pediatric dentist can’t place implants in the jawline since this will block the natural eruption of the permanent teeth. Instead, pediatric dentists use space maintainers to preserve the space left by a lost tooth, ensuring that permanent teeth can emerge correctly.
Space maintainers are available in two options: removable and fixed appliances. Removable space maintainers can be easily taken out by the patient, whereas fixed space maintainers are cemented onto the teeth and can only be removed by a dentist. Fixed space maintainers may be attached unilateral (on one side of the mouth) or bilateral (on both sides).
Dr. Vostatek will determine the best restoration for your child based on the tooth’s location and oral hygiene habits. Fixed space maintainers are often preferred over their removable counterparts because they offer a reliable solution without the risk of being lost or forgotten.
Are space maintainers always necessary?
Not every child who loses a baby tooth prematurely requires a space maintainer. Dr. Vostatek will assess various factors such as the location of the tooth, your child’s age, how much time has passed since it fell out, and the developmental stage of the permanent tooth.
It’s crucial to consult your pediatric dentist promptly if your child loses a tooth early. Surrounding teeth can shift rapidly within the first six months, making timely intervention essential to prevent the need for extensive orthodontic treatment later on.
How do I take care of a space maintainer?
Follow these four essential guidelines to care for your child’s new appliance:
- Encourage your child to avoid sticky foods, such as candy and chewing gum.
- Discourage your child from pushing or tugging on the space maintainer with their fingers or tongue.
- Ensure your child keeps the space maintainer clean by brushing and flossing effectively.
- Continue to schedule regular dental visits with the pediatric dentist every six months.
Does your child need a space maintainer?
With the use of a space maintainer after early tooth loss, your child may be able to avoid more costly orthodontic care later in life. Â If your child has lost any baby teeth prematurely, call (719) 249-2030 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sean Vostatek and the team to determine if your child needs a space maintainer.