{"id":2771,"date":"2026-09-22T16:52:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T13:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/?p=2771"},"modified":"2026-09-23T22:26:00","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T19:26:00","slug":"dintele-de-lapte-nu-cade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/children\/the-baby-tooth-wont-fall-out\/","title":{"rendered":"The baby tooth won't fall out. When should it be pulled?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2772 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1402\" height=\"1122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1.png 1402w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1-1024x819.png 1024w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1-768x615.png 768w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_02_dintele_de_lapte_nu_cade-1-15x12.png 15w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1402px) 100vw, 1402px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A baby tooth that does not fall out when expected does not necessarily need to be extracted. In children, there are normal variations in the pace at which teeth are replaced.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, a dental visit is recommended if the permanent tooth has begun to emerge but the baby tooth remains firmly in place, if there is pain, or if the baby tooth persists well beyond the time it should have been replaced.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>At what age do baby teeth start to fall out?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, the process of losing baby teeth begins around school age, though the exact age varies from child to child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a rule, the incisors are the first to fall out, after which the process gradually continues with the other teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More important than an exact age is how a child's teeth develop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Two children of the same age may be at different stages of tooth replacement, and both may still be within the normal range.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why won't a baby tooth fall out?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There may be several explanations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The permanent tooth may not be close enough to erupt yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other cases, the root of the baby tooth has not resorbed sufficiently.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes there are also situations in which:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the permanent tooth erupts in a different position;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">there isn't enough space;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">there is an obstacle in the way of the eruption;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the baby tooth is more firmly anchored than one might expect;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The development of the permanent tooth is delayed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The permanent tooth has not formed at all<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this reason, simply comparing a child to other children of the same age is not enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How can you tell if a tooth is ready to fall out?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A baby tooth that is about to fall out becomes increasingly loose.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child can feel it when he or she touches it with his or her tongue or when he or she eats.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the tooth is barely loose or not loose at all, it is not recommended that you try to pull it out by force.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When might an extraction be necessary?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dentist may recommend extraction, especially when a baby tooth is preventing a permanent tooth from erupting normally or when keeping it no longer provides any benefit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A common example is when a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other reasons may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extensive tooth decay;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infection;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fracture;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">abnormal mobility;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">problems that affect the development of permanent teeth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before the extraction, the doctor examines the child and determines whether the procedure is truly necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Does it hurt to have a baby tooth pulled?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procedure can be performed using pain management methods tailored to the situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a very loose tooth, topical anesthesia may be sufficient, while for a more firmly anchored tooth, local anesthesia may be indicated.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At SmileCity, we offer both options for the extraction of baby teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important factor for children is how the procedure is presented. A calm experience can influence how the child will view future visits to the dentist.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What happens after the extraction?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the extraction, there may be slight local bleeding for a short time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor provides parents with instructions tailored to the procedure and the child.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, the area should be allowed to heal without the little one constantly touching it with their fingers or tongue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you experience severe pain, uncontrollable bleeding, or significant swelling, contact your doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Will the permanent tooth come in normally after extraction?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In many cases, removing the obstruction caused by the baby tooth allows the permanent tooth to continue erupting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, the final position also depends on the available space in the dental arch and on how the teeth develop.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That is why the doctor may recommend monitoring the child over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When should we schedule an appointment?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is helpful to see a doctor if:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The permanent tooth has come in, but the baby tooth hasn't fallen out;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the baby tooth doesn't wiggle at all;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">two rows of teeth appear;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">there is pain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the tooth is severely decayed;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the gums are inflamed;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">there is pus or a swelling;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The parent notices an unusual rash.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At SmileCity, children can receive consultations and orientation sessions, as well as treatments for their baby teeth and permanent teeth that are coming in.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The clinic is located at 158 Ghencea Boulevard, Sector 6, Bucharest.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How long is it reasonable to wait?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no universal number of days or weeks after which any baby tooth must be extracted. The pace at which teeth are replaced varies greatly among children and even among the teeth of the same child. What is more important is whether the baby tooth becomes progressively loose and whether the permanent tooth is on a favorable path to eruption. If two rows of teeth appear, there is obvious asymmetry between the left and right sides, or there is a lack of any progress, a consultation provides a more reliable answer than comparing the child to other children of the same age.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why is an X-ray sometimes necessary?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An X-ray is not routinely necessary for every tooth that is slow to fall out. It may be useful when the dentist needs to assess the position of the permanent tooth, confirm its presence, evaluate the root\u2019s development, or identify a possible obstruction preventing eruption. The X-ray is recommended only if the information obtained could change the diagnosis or treatment plan. For parents, the advantage is that the decision is not based solely on what is visible on the surface.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What happens if a baby tooth has a cavity but still doesn't fall out?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a baby tooth is decayed, painful, or infected, the fact that \u201eit\u2019s going to fall out anyway\u201d is not a good enough reason to ignore it. The dentist will consider how long it should remain in the mouth, whether it can be treated, and whether extraction would create a gap that needs to be managed. The right choice depends on the specific tooth and its stage of development, not just the child\u2019s age.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Un dinte de lapte care nu cade la momentul a\u0219teptat nu trebuie automat extras. La copii exist\u0103 varia\u021bii normale ale [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2772,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2771","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-copii"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2771"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2771\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2773,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2771\/revisions\/2773"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2772"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2771"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2771"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}