5 Ways to Keep the Loose Baby Teeth Discomfort Away
Growing up means going through various stages of development, such as growing more hair, experiencing growth spurts, and of course, losing baby teeth. In the place of these tiny teeth will be adult teeth, all of which are sturdier and will prove to be useful for the rest of their lives. Keeping them strong, healthy, and infection-free is vital, but there are steps you must take to welcome them properly.
Losing a tooth can be difficult for a child, and before it falls out, they’ll experience their teeth feeling loose for a short period. Such a period can be terrifying and uncomfortable, but there are ways to help them get through the transition better. Here’s what you can do:
Never try to pull out the loose tooth
While it may be incredibly tempting to just pull the teeth out, never attempt to do so until it’s incredibly loose that it falls out on its own. Some children are capable of wiggling the tooth using their tongues, so the prospect of pulling shouldn’t be done. The process can cause bleeding and pain, and in some cases, gum damage.
Understand that bleeding is normal
Working with a loose tooth means there is some form of trauma, especially since the gum is essentially detaching itself from the now unwelcome tooth. If your child complains about some bleeding, stay calm. Allow them to rinse their mouth with salt water to avoid any infections. The bleeding will stop after minutes.
Keep them as comfortable as possible through ice packs
Dealing with a loose tooth can sometimes make them feel sore, and at certain times, it can be quite painful. To help your child deal with the soreness, keep an ice pack ready. Wrap a clean towel around it and hold it against the area until the discomfort fades away. If possible, allow your child to enjoy a popsicle to reduce the inflammation, but ensure that they brush and rinse properly to avoid a bacterial infection from the sweets.
Allow them to find comfort in stories
The idea of losing their first tooth can cause distress and feelings of anxiety, so ease your child into the process with stories. Talk about how it’s a normal part of their growth, reassuring them that it won’t hurt. Talk about how you’ve lost your baby teeth, and how their friends are likely losing theirs, too. You can also talk to them about the Tooth Fairy and the magic she brings to make them feel more confident about the phase.
Switch them into a soft food diet
While the idea of eating hard and crunchy foods may help your child loosen the teeth faster, they may opt for softer foods to lessen the pain and discomfort. Make sure that you have enough soft foods for them to snack on, such as yogurt, soft pasta, mashed potatoes, and even fish. Serve little treats such as ice cream and popsicles from time to time, as this will also lessen their pain.
Loose Teeth Can Be Stubborn
Loose teeth need to be dealt with extreme patience, as they can stick around for months before finally falling out. It may be tempting to extract them on your own using door handle and thread tricks, but it’s always best to wait them out. You’ll save you and your child the trouble of dealing with bleeding gums, so be patient—take care of them until then!
Unfortunately, even baby teeth can be met with complications. If your child is experiencing a particularly painful loose baby tooth, you might need the help of an expert. For the best dentist in Charlotte, NC, we’ve got you covered. We offer you a directory of all the best local dentists to help accommodate your unique needs. We believe that you deserve only quality oral care—browse through our lists today!
