Baby teeth normally fall out without any intervention, and pulling them too early can disrupt how they help the adult teeth and facial structures develop. However, sometimes a loose tooth can cause a child a lot of discomfort. If your child’s tooth is ready to come out, there are a few ways you can help remove it while minimizing the risk of oral injuries. Here’s a brief guide to how you can assist a troublesome baby tooth on its way out of your child’s gums.
How Can I Help My Child Remove Their Baby Tooth?
While baby teeth usually don’t need any help to come out, there are a few ways to help them make their exit. A few ways to help ease a loose baby tooth out of the gums include:
- Tell your child to wiggle their tooth with their tongue to help work it out of the gums.
- Warn them about the dangers of probing at the tooth with their fingers. A child can apply too much force to a vulnerable tooth, and dirty hands can expose the oral cavity to harmful bacteria.
- Tell your child that if a tooth falls out when it’s ready, there shouldn’t be much bleeding.
- After your child’s tooth comes out, have them bite down on a piece of wet gauze to protect the socket. Dry gauze can stick to the wound and cause further injury.
Are There Any Fun Ways to Help My Child’s Tooth Come Out?
There are a few fun and traditional ways to help remove a loose baby tooth when it’s ready to come out. A few ways you might recognize include:
The Old String and Doorknob Trick
You’ll probably recognize this one from cartoons. You’ll need a string and a door with working hinges. Tie one end of the string to the doorknob and tie the other to your child’s tooth. Shut the door firmly but not forcefully. The tooth might pop right out.
Have the Pooch Help
This one’s fun for kids and dogs alike. This method requires a string, a doggy treat, and a happy dog wearing a collar. Tie each end of the string to the loose tooth and the dog’s collar respectively. Throw the treat a distance away and let your furry friend chase after it. This can pluck a loose tooth and make a tail wag.
About the Author
Dr. Adam Preece earned his dental doctorate at Ohio State University and completed a two-year residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, NY. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and has been on the staff at Children’s Health Dallas/Plano since 2010. His office in Garland, TX offers general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry for children. For more information on safely removing a child’s tooth, contact his office online or dial (972) 364-7472.