Kids' teeth fall out because their bodies have special cells that dissolve the roots of the baby teeth, eventually causing them to loosen and fall out.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
-
Root Resorption: As the adult tooth develops beneath the baby tooth, specialized cells called odontoclasts begin to break down and absorb the root of the baby tooth. This process is called resorption.
-
Loosening: As the root is resorbed, the baby tooth loses its firm attachment to the jawbone. This is why the tooth starts to feel loose and wobbly.
-
Falling Out: Eventually, the root is almost entirely gone. With little or no root remaining to anchor it, the tooth becomes very loose and eventually falls out, making way for the permanent tooth to erupt.
-
New Tooth Emergence: Typically, after the baby tooth falls out, the permanent tooth will start to emerge (erupt) into its place. This can take weeks or months.
In summary, the body naturally dissolves the roots of baby teeth to make way for permanent teeth, causing the baby teeth to loosen and fall out.
