It's common to still have some baby teeth at 10 years old, as the shedding of baby teeth and eruption of permanent teeth happens at different rates for everyone. However, there are a few reasons why you might still have them.
Common Reasons for Retained Baby Teeth at Age 10:
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Normal Variation: The typical age range for losing baby teeth is between 6 and 12 years old. Some kids just lose their teeth earlier or later than others. It's likely you're simply on the later end of the spectrum, which is perfectly normal.
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Delayed Eruption of Permanent Teeth: Sometimes, the permanent teeth underneath the baby teeth are slow to develop or erupt. If the permanent tooth isn't pushing on the root of the baby tooth, the baby tooth won't loosen and fall out.
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Overcrowding: If your mouth is overcrowded, the permanent teeth might not have enough space to erupt properly. This can prevent them from pushing out the baby teeth. As the reference notes, "Teeth are overcrowded... although baby teeth are there to keep a space for permanent teeth, sometimes a crowded mouth can make proper eruption difficult."
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Ankylosis: In rare cases, a baby tooth can become fused to the bone (ankylosed). This prevents it from falling out naturally because the root is essentially locked in place.
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Missing Permanent Tooth: If the permanent tooth is missing (congenitally absent), the baby tooth will often stay in place for much longer. While this might seem ideal, it's important to have a dentist monitor the tooth's health and plan for possible future interventions, such as implants or bridges, if the baby tooth eventually needs to be extracted.
What to Do
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Consult Your Dentist: The best course of action is to schedule a visit with your dentist. They can take X-rays to see the position and development of your permanent teeth. They can also assess if there is enough space for the new teeth to erupt.
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Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: Regardless of the reason, continue to brush and floss regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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Follow Dentist's Recommendations: Your dentist may recommend monitoring the situation, orthodontic treatment (braces) to create space, or even extraction of the baby tooth to allow the permanent tooth to erupt.
While having baby teeth at 10 is often perfectly normal, a dentist can provide the most accurate assessment and guidance for your specific situation.
