My daughter’s tooth won’t fall out!

[BarbaraVineFan]

My DD, who is almost 6, has a wobbly tooth (her first) and it has been wobbly for ages but just won’t fall out! We have tried eating apples and carrots and have even tried pulling it out, but she says it hurts too much. I’m a bit worried though because she already has a very visible adult tooth growing behind it, and I don’t think it would be good for both teeth to be there simultaneously. Short of the old door-slamming trick, does anyone have any tips as to how I can help it come out? Or should I just leave it? It is moving almost at a 90 degree angle now!

They are usually referred to as shark teeth because it is completely normal to have the new adult teeth grow in behind before the baby tooth has come out. It will come out when it is ready and the adult tooth will move into place over time. I have some fantastic photos of Ds1's shark teeth and the mangled mess that was his mouth as a child.

He is now an adult with beautiful straight teeth and never had a brace. Ds2 had the same, new teeth popping through.

We went to the dentist every 6 months and they reassured us that they were completely fine.

Oh, so it isn’t harmful for them both to be in the mouth at the same time? For some reason I thought it was.

How long are teeth meant to be wobbly for until they finally come out?

Are you sure you can’t pull it out? A bit of tissue between it and your index finger and thumb, and tug..

Ask her dentist

I use a bit of dental floss on a tooth that won’t come out. Hold it taut and run it gently along the gum line. If it’s ready, it will pop out.

My son had baby and adult bottom front teeth for quite a while! Why would it be an issue? Eventually the baby one will get pushed out, just leave it alone.

If it’s at a 90dgree angle, it’ll definitely come out soon! Just be patient.

Don’t do this, but any excuse to share

Tip from a dentist when DDs tooth outstayed it's welcome: push it gently inward, towards the roof/floor of the mouth. It'll pop right out.

BUT. It's her first so you don't know how long is a normal wobbly tooth period for her. They can take ages - weeks! And, there's likely to be a bit of blood, she'll get upset, and her first tooth will forever be the tooth Mummy hurt/stole/whatever. On balance, I'd leave it to come out on its own.

Oh, and make sure you have a nice shiny pound coin in case the Tooth Fairy needs a sub!