Tips for Pulling Out a Loose Tooth

At Curtis Family Dentistry, we love watching our patients grow up. From their very first dental visit – which should be when they get their first tooth or at one year old – to getting wisdom teeth in early adulthood, we provide quality care for kids of all ages. We know parents have many questions when it comes to caring for their child’s teeth, so today we want to focus on one of the most frequently asked-about topics: pulling out loose baby teeth.

Loose Baby Teeth

Starting around the age of 6, your child will begin losing their baby teeth. The first to go are usually the front teeth, with the last being their molars. Teeth usually take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to fall out after a child first notices that they are loose. Generally, we do not advise pulling out a tooth before it falls out on its own, as this could damage the nerves and tissue in your child’s gums. However, once your child’s tooth has a wide range of motion, there are a couple steps you can take to encourage a tooth to come out.

1. Wiggle Your Tooth

Children are curious by nature, and most can’t resist absently wiggling a loose tooth. If they do so gently, this is safe – and it can make the tooth fall out more quickly. Remind your kids to never wiggle a tooth so much that it hurts!

2. Grab a Crunchy Snack

Harder foods like apples, carrots, or anything else with a satisfying crunch can gradually loosen a tooth. In fact, biting into a crunchy snack may encourage the tooth to come all the way out!

As your child loses their baby teeth, keep an eye out for any sudden changes like discoloration, pain, or inflammation. These can be a sign of something more serious that Dr. Curtis and our team will want to keep an eye on.

To ask us any additional questions about pulling out a tooth, or to schedule your next visit, contact our office today!