Your milk teeth might not be falling out because the permanent teeth underneath aren't able to dissolve the roots of the baby teeth. This is often due to a lack of space or misalignment.
Why Milk Teeth Fall Out
Normally, as permanent teeth develop, they apply pressure on the roots of the milk teeth. This pressure causes the roots to dissolve, making the milk tooth loose and eventually fall out. The permanent tooth then takes its place.
Common Reasons for Retained Milk Teeth
When a milk tooth doesn’t fall out, it's usually because of one of these reasons:
- Lack of Space: If there isn't enough room in the jaw, the permanent tooth may not be able to erupt in the correct position to push out the milk tooth.
- Misalignment: The permanent tooth might be growing in at an incorrect angle and is unable to dissolve the roots of the milk tooth properly.
- Impacted Teeth: The permanent tooth is blocked or trapped by other teeth. According to the references provided, the most common case of impacted teeth in children are the upper central incisors. This means the permanent top front teeth may not come in correctly, causing the baby teeth in the same area to remain in place.
What To Do
Here is a short guide to what you can do if your milk teeth are not falling out:
- Consult a Dentist: The best step is to see a dentist. They can diagnose the reason for the retained milk tooth and provide appropriate treatment.
- X-rays: Your dentist may take X-rays to check the position of the permanent teeth and see if they're coming in correctly.
- Extraction: In some cases, the dentist may need to extract the stubborn milk tooth to allow the permanent tooth to come in properly. This could be a solution if the root is not dissolving correctly.
- Orthodontics: If misalignment or spacing issues are the reason, your dentist may recommend orthodontic treatment to align the teeth and make room for the permanent teeth.
Summary
| Issue | Explanation | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Lack of space | Permanent tooth doesn't have enough room to push out the milk tooth. | Orthodontic treatment to create more space. |
| Misalignment | Permanent tooth grows in the wrong direction, not pushing the milk tooth. | Orthodontic treatment. |
| Impacted tooth | Permanent tooth is trapped, usually the upper central incisors. | Extraction of the baby tooth and follow up orthodontics. |
Remember, it's important to address retained milk teeth because they can cause problems with the eruption of permanent teeth and overall dental alignment. A dentist can help you create a plan for your specific situation.
