Nearly 10% of children have over-retained baby teeth, which is when their permanent teeth emerge before these baby teeth fall out. These teeth are often called “shark teeth”. As a parent, seeing your child’s baby teeth not fall out on time can be concerning, but generally, this is nothing to worry about.
Understanding your child’s teeth development
Baby teeth, or primary teeth, start coming in when kids are about six months old. They keep coming until they are three years old. Losing these teeth and getting their permanent or “adult” teeth usually starts when kids are six. It’s important to watch for over-retained teeth to keep their dental care on track.
Even though the typical age that baby teeth start falling out is about six years old, this can happen as early as 4 or as late as 8. This process takes a few years, and by the time they are 12-14 years old, they should have all their adult teeth.
Average timeline for losing baby teeth
Genetics, diet, and oral care can all affect the development of both baby teeth and adult teeth. The first to fall out are usually the lower front teeth, followed by the upper ones.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Lower 2 front teeth: around 6 years old
- Upper 2 front teeth: around 7 years old
- Remaining Incisors (front teeth): 6-8 years old
- Molars (back teeth): 9-12 years old
Why do shark teeth occur?
For some children, their baby teeth don’t fall out as expected when their permanent or “adult” teeth emerge. The “double teeth” phenomenon, also known as “shark teeth,” happens when adult teeth come in at an angle, either behind or in front of baby teeth, instead of pushing them out. This creates a double row of teeth.
Shark teeth are more common than you might think and are generally nothing to worry about. In most cases, the baby tooth will eventually fall out on its own within a month. However, in a small number of cases, baby teeth may not fall out on their own. If your child’s baby tooth remains for two-three months after its replacement adult tooth has emerged, it’s a good idea to visit the dentist for a check-up.
Expert care for every stage of your child’s smile
Concerned about your child’s baby teeth or dental health? At Hampton Beach Dentists, we’re here to help. We love looking after our younger members of the community and pride ourselves on providing a fun and relaxed environment for the whole family.
To book an appointment, give our friendly team a call on 03 9598 5666 or book online.
