As a parent of a child with a wiggly tooth, you'll want to get ready for the tooth to fall out so that you can arrange a visit from the Tooth Fairy. Having a small sum of money or a gift, and perhaps a congratulatory note from the Tooth Fairy, can help to celebrate this exciting moment in your child's life. Teeth fall out in various ways. Sometimes, a child's wiggly tooth will come out while he or she is eating. In other cases, the child will move the tooth with his or her tongue until it falls out. A wiggly tooth doesn't necessarily require a trip to the pediatric dentist, but if these issues are present, you should consider a visit.
The Tooth Seems Resistant To Falling Out
Your child will likely show you when one of his or her teeth has become wiggly, and you'll want to monitor its progress. Normally, the tooth will get progressively looser until it falls out, but this isn't always the case. Sometimes, it may seem to you that the tooth is taking a long time to fall out. It doesn't hurt to call the dental clinic and explain the situation. Giving the dentist an idea of how long the tooth has been loose and how it currently looks may make the dentist ask you to bring your child in for an examination.
The Child Won't Stop Touching It
Children are often tempted to play with their wiggly teeth, and may sometimes actively try to pull a wiggly tooth out. You generally want to tell your child to leave the tooth alone, as trying to remove it before it's ready could potentially lead to gum damage. Ideally, your child will listen to you, but this isn't always the case. If the child is aggressively trying to remove a tooth that is still fairly attached, a visit to the pediatric dentist can be a good idea. The dentist will gently remind your child of the importance of leaving the tooth alone.
The Gum Appears Infected
Some children have dirty fingers, and are unlikely to think about the value of washing their hands before they touch their mouths. If your child has bacteria on his or her finger, and is frequently sticking a fingertip into his or her mouth to play with the loose tooth, there's a chance of the gum at the base of the tooth getting infected. If you see signs of an infection, such as swelling, or your child begins to notice pain in this area, it's a good idea to pay a prompt visit to the family dentist.
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