Milk teeth, also known as baby teeth, usually fall out to make way for permanent teeth. However, several factors can cause milk teeth to fall out later than expected.
Factors Contributing to Late Loss of Milk Teeth
Here are some reasons why milk teeth might fall out late:
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Crowding of Underlying Teeth: When the permanent teeth underneath are crowded, they might not exert enough pressure on the baby teeth to loosen them. The reference material specifically states that "If the underlying teeth are crowded, they may not be able to push out the overlying baby teeth." This lack of pressure prevents the natural shedding process.
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Absence of Permanent Teeth: If a permanent tooth is missing (agenesis), the corresponding milk tooth might remain in place longer, sometimes indefinitely. The reference mentions that "Baby teeth with no underlying permanent replacements may be retained indefinitely."
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Extra Teeth (Supernumerary Teeth): The presence of extra teeth can block the normal eruption path of permanent teeth. The reference also indicates that "Extra teeth can block the normal eruption of the regular permanent ones." This blockage can prevent the permanent teeth from pushing out the milk teeth.
| Factor | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Crowded Permanent Teeth | Insufficient pressure to resorb the roots of milk teeth. |
| Missing Permanent Teeth | No underlying tooth to push out the milk tooth, leading to prolonged retention. |
| Supernumerary Teeth | Blockage of permanent teeth eruption, indirectly delaying the loss of milk teeth. |
Therefore, the late falling of milk teeth can often be attributed to issues with the underlying permanent teeth, such as crowding, absence, or the presence of extra teeth which interfere with the normal eruption process.
