Why Do Milk Teeth Fall Out?
Milk teeth, also known as baby teeth or primary teeth, fall out to make way for permanent adult teeth. This process is a natural part of growth and development.
As a child grows, their jawbone expands. Special cells gradually dissolve the roots of the milk teeth. [As the roots get shorter, the teeth start to become loose.][1] Eventually, the roots dissolve completely, and the teeth fall out. [1] This usually begins around age six and continues until around age twelve. [2] The timing can vary slightly between children. [7]
Why it Happens:
- Space for Adult Teeth: The primary teeth are smaller and need to be replaced by larger permanent teeth. [4] The child's jaw and skull are initially too small to accommodate the full set of adult teeth. [4]
- Natural Resorption: A natural process of bone resorption, where the body's cells break down the roots of the milk teeth, loosens them. [1]
- Growth and Development: The process is intrinsically linked to the child's overall growth and development. The timing often coincides with other physical changes.
The Timeline:
- First teeth appear: Around six months of age. [9]
- First teeth loss: Usually around age six. [2]
- Last teeth loss: Typically around age twelve. [2, 6]
- Variations: Girls might lose teeth slightly earlier than boys. [7] The exact timing can vary between individuals. [7]
Importance of Milk Teeth
Although temporary, milk teeth are crucial for:
- Speech Development: They aid in proper pronunciation and articulation.
- Jaw Development: They act as placeholders, guiding the growth and development of the jawbone.
- Chewing and Eating: They enable children to efficiently chew and digest food.
In summary, the loss of milk teeth is a natural biological process that makes space for the growth of permanent teeth. This is essential for proper jaw development, speech, and overall oral health.
[1]: Reference [1] - When the time is right, our bodies have special cells that slowly eat away the roots of the teeth. As the roots get shorter, the teeth start to become loose. Finally, most of the root disappears and the tooth falls out! Not long after, a new adult tooth will start to peek through the gap left by the baby tooth. 16-Jul-2019
[2]: Reference [2] - The baby teeth loosen and will fall out, usually starting around age 6 and the final baby teeth should fall out around age 12.
[4]: Reference [4] - It is primarily a matter of space. The jaw and skull of a child are very small, so they need bigger and stronger…
[6]: Reference [6] - The last deciduous teeth usually fall out around age 12.
[7]: Reference [7] - Girls typically start to shed their baby teeth before boys, and some children may lose their first teeth up to a year later than their siblings or peers.
[9]: Reference [9] - A baby's teeth start to come in when the baby is about six months old.
