This week is Shark Week, an exciting time in our office where we love the ocean and sea creatures! It’s the perfect time to blog about “shark” teeth.    Many parents are alarmed when their children’s permanent teeth begin to erupt while the primary, or “baby,” teeth are still present.

Baby teeth ordinarily exfoliate naturally as the permanent teeth begin to erupt, and the permanent tooth comes into position where the primary tooth was.   Commonly, the permanent tooth erupts in front of or behind the baby tooth, while the baby tooth is still present.   This is no cause for alarm.

Children are usually excited at the prospect of a visit from the tooth fairy, and need only a little encouragement to “wiggle” the teeth out themselves.   They can wiggle back teeth back and forth and twist and turn front teeth like a key or a door knob in order to get them out themselves.    Sometimes a little box or pillow for the toothfairy will be an incentive as they look forward to a visit from the tooth fairy.   Sometimes, however this isn’t always possible to do at home.    On occasion we will recommend an x-ray and extraction of the “over retained” baby tooth to allow the permanent tooth to assume its proper position.

If you are concerned about how your child’s teeth are developing or erupting don’t hesitate to call us.   We’ll be happy to see them and set your mind at ease.

Be sure to check out our office Facebook and Instagram pages to catch up on the fun activities we’re planning to celebrate Shark Week this year!