When will my child lose his or her first tooth?

The weeks leading up to the loss of a child’s first tooth, are an exciting time for both kids and parents. This is an important mile marker in the road from infant to adulthood, and one that deserves attention. Many parents are unsure when to expect their child to experience the loss of his or her first tooth. While it is impossible to pinpoint the exact time frame for each individual, most kids will lose their first tooth around the age of six.

Why Kids Loose Teeth

Baby teeth, or deciduous teeth, are lost when a child’s permanent teeth begin to emerge. These “adult” teeth need room to grow, and will slowly push the baby teeth out of their way. For most kids, the first tooth to come out will be a lower, or mandibular, incisor, one of the bottom front two teeth. This tooth may become loose over the course of several weeks, and this is often a long process through which a child will wiggle and nudge the tooth with their tongue or fingers.  Your child may even say the tooth hurts when he or she bites or chews with it.  This discomfort will subside when the too comes out or exfoliates.

Should I Pull the Tooth or Not?

If your child is eager to pull the tooth, simply cover the tooth with a piece of gauze or a tissue and give a quick twist and a tug. If he or she insists on letting the tooth come out naturally, sit back and enjoy the wait. Some kids will worry about a loose tooth for quite a while, until almost nothing is left holding the tooth in place! Either approach is perfectly normal and parents should allow their kids to guide the process, especially for the first loose tooth.

Talking to Kids about Brushing Their Teeth

This is an excellent time to talk with your child about the importance of proper dental hygiene. After all, baby teeth come and go, but the permanent teeth that follow are intended to be, well, permanent. Review proper brushing and flossing practices, and follow up with regular parental “inspections.” It takes time and practice to master proper dental care routines, and parents are wise to broach the issue at this time, when kids are very focused on a loose tooth.

What If Baby Teeth Fall Out Too Slowly?

Parents who are concerned that a child is not losing baby teeth at a normal rate, or who have questions about other dental issues, should make an appointment to meet with their kids' dentist. This is also a great time to discuss whether fluoride supplements are appropriate.
Kids should come in for a dental checkup and cleaning twice a year, which can be key to addressing dental issues before they become a problem. Regular visits to a kids' dentist will give children a positive impression of dental care, which is important establishing a healthy dental care routine.  

Dental X-Rays Help Keep Kids' Teeth Healthy

If you're like many parents, you may wonder whether or how often your children need dental X-rays. Here at Playtime Dental, we believe that children's dental X-rays are an important tool for finding hard-to-see cavities and diagnosing oral disease in its early stages, when it's easiest to treat. So make sure your kids' dentist gives your kids X-rays as needed.

What's the Purpose of Dental X-rays?

Dental X-rays, like other types of X-rays, use beams of X-ray radiation to take black-and-white photos that show your child's bones, teeth, and other oral structures including the roots of the teeth. There are several types of dental X-rays, including:

• Bitewings: used to take X-rays of the back teeth to show cavities between the teeth and bone levels
• Periapicals: used to take photos of the teeth & roots to look for cavities and/or other pathology (i.e. infection)
• Panoramic X-rays: used to take photos of the entire jaw and all of the teeth. Used to monitor growth and development as well as look for pathology (i.e. infection). This x-ray is not good for diagnosing cavities
• Cone beam CTs: used to take three-dimensional pictures of the jaw. Used for orthodontic, oral surgery and implant treatment planning

How Often Do Children Need Dental X-Rays?

It used to be the case that dentists recommended yearly dental X-rays for all children. But the LA Times reports that those guidelines have changed. Dental X-rays are no longer treated as a routine diagnostic procedure to be performed at every exam. They are administered based on each child's needs. Your kids' dentist may see no need to take dental X-rays if your children have no evidence of dental disease. Children with a higher risk of dental disease may need X-rays every six months, while low-risk kids may only need them every 12 to 18 months. These guidelines minimize kids' exposure to X-ray radiation.

Why Do Children Need Dental X-Rays?

Dental X-rays can help your kids' dentist find problems with the teeth and the jaw that aren't immediately apparent from the oral exam. They can also help dentists spot any cavities that might be growing between the teeth. X-rays help dentists diagnose oral disease reliably and quickly. This is important because keeping your kids' mouth healthy keeps their whole body healthy. Thanks to X-rays, kids today enjoy better oral and overall health than ever before.

The Cons of Oral Piercings for Teens

After months and months of begging, you finally gave in and let your teenager get an oral piercing. Now your kid may be the biggest hit at school, but in the meantime, your trepidations have returned. As a good parent, you're right to feel some reservations about your teen's tongue piercing. This can actually be a big source of trouble for the mouth and could even cause dental problems and diseases.

The biggest and most obvious risk, as with all piercings, is that of infection.  The mouth contains millions of bacteria and unlike a skin infection in the ear or nose caused from an earring, if your teen's mouth gets an infection from a piercing, the area will swell up significantly and be very painful.  In the case of a large infection, your child’s airway could even be restricted, which could be deadly.

Even if your kid doesn't have an infection from his or her piercing, other oral problems can and do occur more subtly over time. First of all, constantly exposing the teeth to the metal of the piercing can strip away enamel, whether it's a ball-shaped barbell or a traditional ring. Once enamel is gone, it doesn't return. The teeth may look unattractive and are at a higher risk of developing cavities.

Besides that, your teenager can also find himself saddled with localized periodontal disease that they most likely wouldn't have gotten otherwise. Periodontal disease occurs when the gums recede.  When the gums start to recede, the bone that holds the teeth in is typically lost as well and your kid's teeth can possibly fall out in the advanced stages if they develop this disease.

Other little annoyances can occur with an oral piercing as well, such as an increase of drooling, increased chance of cracking or chipping the teeth or dental restorations, bad breath if the piercing is not cleaned multiple times daily, and the development of a speech impediment. More seriously, if a tongue piercing is not done carefully, nerve damage is also a possibility.  This can affect the person’s ability to taste, talk and move the tongue.


Parents that are having second thoughts about their teen's oral piercing can come by and visit Playtime Dental to discuss the next steps, including removal. Appropriate for children of all ages, the atmosphere at this kids' dentist is designed to make young patients feel at ease as they learn how to take better care of their teeth and mouths.

Periodontal Disease in Kids

Periodontal disease is a growing problem among children, particularly those at the onset of puberty. Periodontal disease, sometimes referred to as gum disease, is a serious problem that can affect one's overall health and contribute to gum, bone, and tooth loss.  

What Types of Periodontal Disease Are Common in Children?

During puberty, abrupt hormonal changes cause increased circulation to the gums, which may cause them to become more sensitive to food particles or inadequate oral hygiene. Three types of periodontal disease are common:

• Chronic gingivitis is the most common gum disease in children. Easily avoided through brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, chronic gingivitis can cause red and swollen gums. Sometimes the gums may bleed, particularly when flossing. If left untreated, it can progress to more serious forms of periodontal disease.
• Aggressive periodontitis is most commonly found in teens and young adults. The condition generally affects the first molars and incisors and is characterized by a loss of alveolar bone.
• Generalized aggressive periodontitis usually begins around puberty and is characterized by heavy plaque and calculus (tartar) build-up. If not treated, tooth loss may result.

Advice for Parents

Parents are important role models when it comes to the importance of oral hygiene and care.  By taking excellent care of your own teeth, you show your children the importance of keeping a healthy mouth.  In addition, we recommend:

• Looking at your child's gums and teeth for evidence of bleeding and swelling. Gums that have a bright red appearance or are visibly pulling away from the teeth are evidence of periodontal disease 
• Encouraging an oral care routine that involves twice daily brushing and flossing early. This will pay off as your child becomes more independent and these practices remain habits
• Ensuring that your child visits a kids' dentist twice each year for a routine cleaning (or prophylaxis) and evaluation. This type of cleaning removes calculus (tartar) and plaque at the gum line, which can lead to gum irritation and gingivitis, thus preventing periodontal disease. 

Your kids' dentist is your partner in oral health. Make certain you contact the office right away if you suspect your child may have the beginning signs of gum disease. Caught early, gum disease is highly treatable and permanent damage can be avoided.

Using Teeth as Tools Can Have Costly Consequences

When people think of their children’s dental health, they only think of brushing and flossing. However, protecting teeth from damage is an important part of dental health. Many people do not realize that using teeth as tools can severely damage their teeth.  

Using Teeth as Tools

Kids discover early that their teeth can also be used as a tool. Tough-to-open potato chip bags, hanging pieces of string, hard-to-open caps, and even stubborn yogurt containers can quickly be addressed by kids using their teeth. Their teeth are always accessible and convenient. However, teeth should never be used as tools. Unfortunately, once kids begin using their teeth as a tool, it becomes a habit and the practice is hard to stop. 

Potential for Damage

Using teeth as tools can have painful consequences for children. In fact, using teeth in the wrong way as a child can cause issues that will plague them into adulthood.  

• Chips and Cracks: When used incorrectly, teeth can easily become chipped, requiring repair by your kids' dentist
• Grooves: If teeth are frequently used as tools, grooves may develop in the enamel
• Breaks: In severe circumstances, teeth can break when used incorrectly, resulting in pain and/or a costly repair 
• TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint): Using teeth as tools can cause them to wear incorrectly and harm the alignment of the jaw. This poor alignment can cause issues with a person’s Temporal Mandibular Joint (TMJ) and result in Temporal Mandibular Dysfunction (TMD), a serious jaw disorder that can result in tightness, pain, and headaches. 

If your children frequently use their teeth as tools, ask your kids’ dentist to look for signs of damage. 

Lead by Example

Children mirror their parents’ behavior. Chances are that if you use your teeth as tools, your children will too. Lead by example and take time to get the correct tool to complete your tasks instead of your teeth.  
For additional information on dental health and how to protect the health of your children’s teeth, come talk to us at Playtime Dental.

Whitening Toothpaste: Does the ADA Seal of Acceptance Matter?

While plenty of toothpaste manufacturers use the term “whitening” quite loosely, many toothpastes don't actually do much to whiten the teeth. So don't venture on out to the supermarket and pick up any old container of toothpaste that is touted for its whitening capabilities and think that it will make your teeth as white as snow.

Thankfully, you don't have to conduct hours of research to figure out which toothpastes are legitimate whiteners. The American Dental Association has done the work for you. Check out the ADA Seal of Acceptance program to find out which toothpastes really have polishing and chemical agents that will make your teeth nice and white. The ADA has invested significant time, effort and resources into studying all of the toothpastes on the market to find out which really remove surface stains.

The ADA's Seal of Acceptance program is the result of two decades worth of monitoring various tooth-whitening products. This market has absolutely exploded in recent years, so it is quite helpful to have a watchdog group oversee all of the activity to determine which toothpastes really live up to their claims. Plenty of toothpastes do not have the ability to gently polish or provide chemical chelation or other non-bleaching actions that whiten teeth. Only opt for those that are recommended by your dentist and carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

In a nutshell, the term “whitening” means a process that makes teeth look whiter. Toothpastes use either bleach or non-bleaching agents to accomplish this. Bleach alters the natural color of teeth with peroxide, which removes surface stains as well as stains that have settled deeply into the teeth. Non-bleaching agents cause a chemical or physical action that removes the surface stains along teeth.


Whitening products can be distributed by dentists for use at home, applied by dentists in a dental office or bought over the counter. It is prudent to wait for a one-on-one consultation with your kids' dentist before you choose your children's whitening toothpaste. The same is true for adult patients. A dentist's input is especially valuable to patients who have egregiously dark stains, crowns and fillings. The dentist will advise whether bleaching is appropriate and will also help determine a properly sequenced treatment plan.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

What Is Nitrous Oxide?

Nitrous oxide is a type of sedative gas often used at the dentist's office. It is more commonly known as "laughing gas" because of the giggles that sometimes result from its use. It is a colorless and odorless gas that is administered through a small mask worn over the nose. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen in order to keep the effects of the gas mild and so it can be used for longer durations of time in a safe manner. 
Nitrous oxide is used to help patients relax in the dental chair. After about 30 seconds of breathing the nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture, the sedative and pain-relieving effects will set in.  Peak affects are reached in less than five minutes. One of the major benefits of using nitrous oxide is how quickly it takes effect and wears off. Slight lightheadedness and the giggles are common when a patient is under nitrous oxide sedation. It reduces pain and induces an all-encompassing pleasurable feeling in the body. 

Why Use Nitrous Oxide in Children?

Many adults have fears of going to the dentist and so do most children. Nitrous oxide is a great tool that many kids' dentists will likely recommend. Because of its relaxing and calming effect on patients, nitrous oxide is perfect for children who are afraid of dental procedures. It is also ideal for children with sensitive teeth, and it does increase the pain threshold of a person, little or big. Many children have sensitive gag reflexes that make completing dental procedures difficult, but the use of nitrous oxide usually minimizes the gag reflex. Mixing nitrous oxide with oxygen, which is always done in any medical/dental setting, makes it safe for long periods of time. This can make longer procedures much more bearable for young children. The amount of nitrous oxide the child is receiving can be altered very easily by the dentist if an adjustment is needed. 

What to Expect and How to Prepare

Before a dental visit that requires the use of nitrous oxide sedation, it is best to eat just a light meal, no less than 2 hours before the procedure. During the procedure, the child will remain fully conscious. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off very quickly once 100% oxygen is administered at the end of the procedure. Within a few minutes, the child will have no lasting effects from the gas.  Some kids get so relaxed that they behave like they normally would after they wake from a good night’s sleep.
For further questions about using nitrous oxide for your child’s dentist appointment, call Playtime Dental and we will be more than happy to answer any more questions or concerns you might have!