Children lose their baby teeth on different schedules, but most fall within the normal range of development. Most children lose all their incisors between the ages of six and eight. First and second molars and canines usually fall out between ages nine and twelve. If your child’s tooth loss does not fit within those ranges, there may be cause for concern from an orthodontic standpoint. However, if your child receives an orthodontic consultation by the age of seven as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists, Dr. Stanley can easily recognize developing problems and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.

What if baby teeth fall out early?

Your child can lose baby teeth prematurely for a few reasons. Sometimes trauma or decay can cause tooth loss before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. If this is the case, your child may need a space maintainer to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting until the permanent tooth comes in. Other times, the eruption of a large or crooked permanent tooth can cause more than one baby tooth to fall out.

What if baby teeth fall out late?

Baby teeth are usually lost because the underlying permanent tooth pushes them out. However, if the permanent teeth are crowded, they may not be able to push through on schedule. Sometimes, there is no permanent tooth beneath a baby tooth, in which case the baby tooth will remain in place indefinitely. Dr. Stanley can spot any such problems with an examination and X-rays.

Can braces be placed before all the baby teeth are lost?

Children will often lose their eight incisors and then go for another year or two before losing their other teeth. This interim in tooth loss is a very good time to start orthodontic treatment so that room can be made for crowded teeth and any problems with jaw growth can be corrected. Treatment done in childhood often takes less time than adult orthodontics because children’s bones are still soft and easily manipulated.

If it’s time to schedule your child’s first orthodontic evaluation, call Dr. Jeff Stanley today at (559) 435-6465. Stanley Orthodontics gladly serves patients in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger, Chowchilla, Visalia, Tulare, and the surrounding areas.