My daughter has some adult teeth coming in, but the baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet. They do not even feel loose to me. Should I take her to the dentist in order to have them removed or just keep waiting? She’s never been to the dentist before. I’m afraid it will be scary if she does have to go in.

Deborah

Dear Deborah,

I am glad that you wrote. I know there is a tendency to think that a child doesn’t need a dentist, especially with baby teeth that will fall out anyway. Many parents have fallen into that same fallacy so don’t be too hard on yourself. Ideally, you want to bring your children in to see the dentist early, well before there are any problems. This way they start life thinking the dentist is fun.

But, the ideal does not always happen. When baby teeth are not coming out, and they won’t even wiggle, then it is time to bring them to the dentist. A dentist who works with children will be able to get those teeth out. If you leave the baby teeth in, then they’ll end up deflecting the adult teeth. That will lead to her needing expensive orthodontics, and the teeth will have to come out either way.

Because it won’t be a simple appointment, you may want to look for a dentist who offers some type of dental sedation. Generally a dentist can help prevent this before it becomes a problem but you are in management mode now.

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