WE AREN’T SURE WHY IT’S HAPPENING, but we think videos like the one below are becoming far too common.Are people just obsessed with the viral video craze and want to be part of it? Should parents be subjecting their kids to these absurd tooth-yanking antics for publicity? Whatever the reason, we don’t think it’s safe or smart.
If you have children this age, and they’re loosing baby teeth, do you ever ask yourself if you should let them fall out naturally, let the child pull them, or just pull them yourself?
Drs. Bradley and Boswellhave a few simple tips for those loose baby teeth. Every child reacts differently, so take these tips as advice, and not any sort of strict guidelines. Also, if you have any specific concerns or questions about your child’s baby teeth, please don’t hesitate to ask us or come in for a visit.
- Most of today’s dentists will offer parents the following advice… don’t pull your children’s teeth out. You can encourage them to pull them out themselves by wiggling their tooth with their fingers or their tongue. This is primarily because only your child knows for sure how loose a tooth really is—and how attached it really is! They also know how much discomfort they’re able and willing to take.
- If your kid has waited long enough to pull it out, there shouldn’t be much bleeding—pack a small piece of wet gauze and hold pressure for a few minutes if there is.
- There are times, as a permanent tooth pushes the baby tooth out, the new tooth will push the baby tooth in an unusual direction forward that effects the gums. If that happens, and you have a questions about it,contact our office. It may be best to have us help pull the tooth. This is actually quite rare.
- Sometimes by waiting longer, the tooth may come out unexpectedly when your child is eating. Although not usual, the tooth can be swallowed. Don’t worry! It’s very unlikely that he or she will choke on it. The tooth fairy may be a little bit disappointed, but a swallowed tooth is not harmful.
- We have heard of some parents offering their child a fresh, crisp, delicious apple! If the tooth is loose enough, it will likely come out.
Once again, PLEASE don’t try to make videos like this one. It is not worth the risk of trauma to your children and additional harm you could cause.
Again we remind you to be sure to go to our Facebook site and “Like” it to keep up with our practice.