What is the average age for a child to get his first loose tooth??

My son is 4, he will be 5 in April and he has a loose tooth. we noticed it tonight in the bathtub. he said it was when he was tryig to open a bottle with his teeth, but it is pretty loose, is this a normal age to have a first loose tooth?

What is the average age for a child to get his first loose tooth??
Tooth loss in children








Some parents may feel that caring for baby teeth isn’t as crucial as caring for adult (permanent) teeth, simply because baby teeth are designed to fall out anyway. However, baby teeth are very important. They allow the child to chew food, and they reserve the spaces in gum tissue for future adult teeth.





For example, if a baby molar is prematurely lost, the baby teeth next to the missing tooth may drift into the gap and create spacing problems for the adult tooth when it comes through. Decayed baby teeth also need professional dental treatment. If neglected, decayed baby teeth can lead to mouth pain, dental abscess and the decay of surrounding teeth.





Losing baby teeth


From the age of about six years, baby teeth start to become ‘wobbly’ and fall out to make way for adult teeth. It is perfectly normal for a child to lose their first tooth up to a year or two earlier or later than six years of age. Girls generally lose teeth earlier than boys. The first tooth to fall out is usually located in the front of the lower jaw.





Losing baby teeth can be unsettling and painful for young children. Suggestions for parents include:





Reassure your child that losing baby teeth is a natural process and new adult teeth will come in their place.


Use cold compresses or over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain-killing drugs to help relieve loose tooth pain. Please consult your dentist or pharmacist for recommendations on appropriate medication for your child.


Offer reassurance - it’s normal for gums to be tender and bleed a little, although some children experience little or no discomfort while losing their teeth.


Make use of the Tooth Fairy. This mythology has lasted a long time for a good reason. If the idea of getting a coin in exchange for a tooth softens the idea of tooth loss for your child, then go ahead and use it!


Mouthguards are important


Mouthguards help keep dental injuries to a minimum, particularly when playing contact sports. All children playing contact sports should wear a mouthguard, even primary school aged children. Professionally fitted mouthguards are comfortable, allow speech and do not restrict breathing. Suggestions for parents and carers include:


Avoid do-it-yourself ‘boil and fit’ type mouthguards; they are unlikely to provide effective protection. See your child’s dentist to have a customised mouthguard fitted.


Ensure your child wears their mouthguard at training and during the game. It may help to talk to their coach about it.


Update your child’s mouthguard every 12 to 18 months to ensure that it still fits and is fully effective.


Keep the mouthguard clean.


When not in use, store the mouthguard in a rigid container and away from heat to ensure it maintains its shape.


Saving a knocked-out tooth


If a tooth is knocked out, you should:


Remain calm.


Find the tooth, handle it by the crown only, and check that it’s clean.


Rinse it in milk or wash it very briefly with plain water if the root is dirty.


Replant the tooth immediately in the socket. Ideally, this should be done within 15 minutes of the tooth being knocked out. This maximises the chances of effective re-implantation by the dentist.


Hold the tooth in place.


If you can’t replant the tooth, keep it moist by submerging it in milk, sealing it in plastic wrap, or placing it in the child’s mouth next to the cheek.


Seek immediate dental treatment. Time is critical. If too much time elapses, the tooth cannot be saved.


What NOT to do with a knocked-out tooth


Do not:


Hold the tooth by the root surface


Scrape or rub the root surface


Let the tooth dry out


Rinse or store the tooth in water for more than a second or two.


Where to get help


Your doctor


Dentist


Australian Dental Association Victorian Branch Inc. Tel. (03) 9826 8318


Dental Health Services Victoria Tel. (03) 9389 8888


The Maternal and Child Health Line is available 24 hours a day Tel. 132 229.


Things to remember


Caring for baby teeth is as crucial as caring for adult (permanent) teeth.


If neglected, decayed baby teeth can lead to mouth pain, dental abscess and the decay of surrounding teeth.


All children playing contact sports should wear a mouthguard, even primary school aged children.


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You might also be interested in:


Dental care - fluoride.


Dental care - tips if teeth are knocked out.


Dental checks - 0 to 6 years.


Dental fillings.


Dental sealants.


Teeth - Q %26amp; A.


Teeth care.
Reply:END OF KINDERGARTON
Reply:4-6 (I lost my tooth when I was 4.5 years old)!!!
Reply:yea thats wen i started to loose my teeth too and i turned out ok
Reply:i'm sure it is...i'm not entirely sure about the average age per say but I lost my first tooth when I was 5. So I'm guessing it's not too bad for a child to lose a tooth at age 4. If you are really worried about it I suggest going to your childs pediatritan.
Reply:Pay no attention to man... he gives the same bogus website for every answer. He is on level 7 for abuse. He can be reported for abuse. My granddaughter lost her first tooth aroind the age of 5.
Reply:first permanent usually start coming in at age 6 give or take a few years so I would say its still normal. just make sure you are taking proper care of his teeth and advise him not to use them to open bottles anymore.
Reply:I have four children. I noticed that the child's teeth start getting loose around age four or five. Your son situation is perfectly normal don't worry at all mom.



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