West Maitland Dentistry Blog

As parents, witnessing the growth of our children can be both exciting and sometimes a little nerve-wracking. One of those significant milestones is when baby teeth start to become loose and eventually fall out, making way for adult teeth. But when it comes to handling loose baby teeth, many parents wonder: Is it okay to wiggle and pull loose baby teeth out? Let’s delve into this question and explore the best practices surrounding this important rite of passage.

The Natural Process of Losing Baby Teeth

Children typically begin losing their baby teeth around the age of six. This process can last for several years, with children losing up to 20 baby teeth by the time they reach their early teens. It’s a natural transition, and most children will experience wiggly teeth during this phase.

To Wiggle or Not to Wiggle?

Many parents are faced with the dilemma of whether to encourage their children to wiggle their loose teeth or if it’s better to leave them alone. Here are some factors to consider:

Encouragement vs. Pressure  Wiggling is encouraged as a way to help children understand the natural process of losing teeth. It can be a fun and engaging way to help them reduce any anxiety about the tooth falling out. However, it’s essential to avoid putting pressure on them. Allow your child to decide how much they want to wiggle their teeth.

Assessing Looseness  If a baby tooth is only slightly loose and your child isn’t feeling any discomfort, it’s generally safe for them to wiggle it. If, however, the tooth is still firmly in place or if it causes pain, it’s best to leave it alone. Encourage patience and let nature take its course.

Gentle Pulling  If a tooth is extremely loose, some parents might consider gently pulling it out. If you do choose to go this route, here are a few guidelines:

• Hygiene: Ensure that hands are clean before touching the tooth. After all, proper oral hygiene is crucial, even at this stage.
• Pain Check: Ask your child if they experience any pain. If pulling out the tooth seems to cause discomfort, it’s best to leave it in place.
• Smooth Movement: If your child is ready to have the tooth removed, make sure to grasp the tooth gently and wiggle it alongside a firm pull. Avoid forcing it out.

Visit the Dentist  If there’s ever a doubt or concern about a loose tooth, it’s a good idea to consult your child’s dentist. They can provide guidance and ensure that everything is progressing normally.

The Emotional Aspect

For many children, losing teeth can be a bittersweet experience. While they might be excited about the arrival of the Tooth Fairy, they could also feel nervous about the process. Here, your role as a parent is crucial. Reassure your child that it’s a normal part of growing up. Share fun stories or experiences about your own lost teeth to make the process less intimidating.

To answer the question of “is it okay to wiggle and pull loose baby teeth?”, yes it is perfectly fine for children to wiggle loose baby teeth as long as they are gentle and comfortable. You can encourage them to explore their loose teeth, making it a fun and normal part of their childhood. Gently pulling out a tooth can also be okay if you follow precautions and ensure your child’s comfort. Ultimately, maintaining open communication with your child and staying attuned to their comfort levels is key.

As parents, watching our little ones grow can be a joy. Losing teeth is just one of the steps on their journey to adulthood, and with your loving guidance, it can be a memorable experience for both you and your child!  For more insights on improving the oral health of your child check out another one of our blog Healthy Teeth, Healthy Kids.

A common trend we’ve been seeing lately is the use of charcoal infused tooth products.  These products claim that they whiten your teeth.  They also promote bacteria removal from your mouth as well.  Let’s dive deep and see what are the risks and benefits of charcoal toothpaste.

First off what is charcoal toothpaste?

Charcoal is a form of carbon that is made by burning natural substances such as coconut shells and wood.  This becomes oxidized and formed into a fine powder which is placed into toothpaste.  These charcoal toothpastes generally don’t contain fluoride.  

Does it whiten teeth?

Yes and no.  Due to charcoal’s abrasive nature it may remove staining on the outside of the tooth called extrinsic staining.  But it cannot penetrate the tooth to remove the staining within, called intrinsic staining.  

Does it have an antibacterial effect?

No studies have shown that there is a significant antibacterial effect with charcoal toothpaste.

Can it do any damage?

Yes, it can damage teeth with its abrasiveness leading to loss of enamel.  The enamel is the hard, white outer surface layer of your tooth.  The more you strip it away the more yellow your teeth will look since the layer below it, the dentin, is a yellower color.  The dentin is also a sensitive layer so with more of your enamel gone you may notice increased sensitivity.  

The dark charcoal can get into small gaps you may have on your teeth.  This can range from existing dental work or micro cracks your teeth.  This type of staining is difficult to remove.  Finally without any fluoride in the toothpaste it leaves you susceptible to cavities.

The American Dental Association has not found any evidence that charcoal toothpaste is safe or effective for your teeth. We agree and do not recommend any charcoal based tooth product.  When considering whitening your teeth remember there are safer options to choose from such as in office or take home whitening trays.  For toothpaste recommendations refer to the ADA website to see if your toothpaste is accepted and recommended.

It’s National Pizza Day and we know that ooey-gooey cheesiness sometimes has to be eaten while pipping hot!  Often times though the result is a burn on your tongue or roof of your mouth.  We’re sharing some tips and tricks to help soothe your mouth in case this happens so you can still enjoy your pizza today!

Cool it down

For some immediate relief eat or drink something cold.  Try first sipping on some cold water or sucking on a popsicle.  Yogurt or ice cream can also do the trick!

Pain reliever

Try an over the counter pain reliever to help alleviate some of the discomfort. Be sure to follow the instructions on the label or consult with your physician first if need be.

Salt rinses

Salt rinses can help prevent infection at the burn site and can also provide some relief for pain.  To make a salt water rinse dissolve 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt into 8 oz of water.  Gargle the salt water and then spit it out.

Keep your mouth clean!

Maintain your normal oral hygiene care to keep your mouth clean. This can help prevent the burn spot from becoming infected.

Watch what you eat and drink

Try to stick to non-spicy, softer foods.  Avoid hard, sharp, crunchy foods that might scratch or irritate the burn even more such as chips or granola.  Choosing foods that are cooler in temperature can soothe the burn spot as well. Try to avoid alcohol/alcohol based mouth rinses and acidic foods and drinks such as citrus which can often cause the burn to become more painful and irritated.

Consult your dentist

If the burn feels severe, isn’t going away or is becoming extremely painful consult your dentist to make sure there isn’t an infection.  We can prescribe ointments, rinses or gels that can help numb the area or take care of the infection.

Burns can take several days to heals so don’t get discouraged. But, if your burn lasts more than 1-2 weeks or the pain is getting worse that’s when you need to contact your dentist.