Loose Tooth Question/concern

Updated on August 18, 2009
A.K. asks from Elgin, IL
10 answers

My son has his first loose tooth. It's been very loose for about a week but it won't fall out. I recently noticed that it's starting to change color. My husband said this is normal since it's not getting the nutrients and it's about to fall out. I'm wondering if I should contact the dentist? Does anyone know if this is normal? Thanks!

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So What Happened?

Thank you to everyone for the advice! I'll just wait for it to fall out. Mamasource is such a wonderful tool for parents! Thank you again!!!!

Update #2....he lost the tooth! Of course, he swallowed it! :-( It's only 8:00 in the morning and he can't wait to go to sleep so the tooth fairy can come!! Thank you again for all the advice. My son is a twin and his brother has lost 2 teeth already and neither of his turned color so that's why I was concerned. Mamasource is such a wonderful resource to learn and reassure parents. Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

Featured Answers

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S.E.

answers from Chicago on

No need to contact a dentist. The new tooth has just not pushed the baby tooth out yet. The baby tooth is dead and just waiting to be pushed out.

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi, A.. I work for a dentist and this is quite common occurrence. If it's already very loose, I don't foresee any problems. Just keep working on it to get it out. Have him bite into an apple or something else hard or crunchy. You can certainly make an appointment to have the dentist pull it for you, but then you are paying for a service that you can probably do at home yourself. Good luck!

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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

Hi mom yes this is normal give the child some gym to chew or pull it out yourself good luck

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J.M.

answers from Chicago on

It is completely normal, don't worry. No need for the dentist. In my experience once the tooth started turning a greyish color, it usually fell out really soon on it's own. If it is just dangeling there I've gripped it with a paper towel and gave it a gentle tug. Best wishes, Have fun & notify the Tooth Fairy to be ready!

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C.F.

answers from Chicago on

Do not waste money going to the dentist for a baby tooth that is loose and about to fall out. Your husband is right, the tooth is changing color bacause it is no longer attached to the food source. If your son will let you pull ht etooth on out. If not just wait till it falls out on its own.

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

I felt the same way. And your husband is right. It will eventually fall out. I would start to worry if it takes longer than 3-4 weeks...but other than that just keep him wiggling it. Or use a little more pressue when he brushes (without making him uncomfortable of course). What a milestone....is he excited about the tooth fairy?!

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B.A.

answers from Chicago on

the nerve is dead - the tooth is ready to come out.

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

Hi,

Its just happened to my niece a couple weeks ago.
We just went to our dentist and she pulled out in a second with gaze.No bed fillings.
It worth a trip to show it to the dentist.She/He will tell you what to do.

Good luck

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L.R.

answers from Chicago on

Yep, it's normal. My daughter had her tooth fall out last Wednesday and it had been loose since before school got out (first week of June!). Her big tooth was totally in behind the baby tooth and it turned gray a couple days before it fell out. I assumed this was just because the blood supply was cut off. She would not let me touch it the entire time it was loose. I had asked the dentist about this tooth in July and he said no worries. She saw the dentist again last Thursday for a cleaning and he said the big tooth should eventually shift forward into position (it's a little out of line right now). Good luck!

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Z.D.

answers from Chicago on

Hi A.. Your husband is right. It is completely normal. I am a dental hygienist and see this all the time. As the permanent tooth (the bog boy tooth) slowly starts forming and pushing its way out it resorbs (kinda eats up) the root of the baby tooth (thats why when a baby tooth comes out it literally looks like a piece of a tooth not a "whole" tooth with root). The root of the tooth is what makes a tooth solid in the bone and not move. The nerve of a tooth is found inside the root. So when the permanent tooth resorbs the rooth of the baby tooth the blood supply to the nerve is also gone which is why if a tooth is retained more than expected the tooth can start turning pink or other colors. This is probably more than you wanted to know but thought I would explain why it is normal. Hope this helps!!!!

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