Your child’s smile is a source of pride and joy—not just for them, but also for you! So whenever there’s some type of issue that seems out of the ordinary, your first instinct might be to sound the alarm and begin worrying. One such issue that might seem startling is when your child’s adult teeth begin to emerge behind their baby teeth rather than in place of them. Known as “shark teeth”, here’s more about why this occurs and when it needs to be inspected and treated by your pediatric dentist.
A Closer Look at Shark Teeth
“Shark teeth” is a term used to describe the situation when the permanent teeth are emerging behind the baby teeth before they’ve had the chance to fall out. As the adult teeth erupt out of the gums it encourages the roots of the baby teeth to dissolve, but with shark teeth, this doesn’t happen as intended. This results in a double row of teeth that’s somewhat akin to those of a shark, hence the name! This issue commonly occurs between the ages of 5 – 7, when the adult teeth begin to start emerging, and it’s usually concerning for kids and parents alike. It also generally affects the front bottom teeth, but can really affect any teeth inside the mouth.
How Your Pediatric Dentist Can Help
The good news is that despite how odd it might seem, the issue is fairly common, and in many cases, it’s not that big of a deal! Typically, it’s only a matter of time before adult teeth naturally replace baby teeth, and in many cases, treatment of shark teeth isn’t necessary. But in some cases, you might notice that the adult teeth are almost at the same height as the baby teeth, and there’s limited movement in the baby teeth and they’ve become sore or inflamed. This means your child might need the assistance of their dentist to ensure that there aren’t any complications with their emerging teeth.
If your child is in the tooth loss time frame and their baby teeth are starting to wiggle, you likely don’t need to worry about the issue. But in any case, if you’re feeling concerned or your child is, don’t hesitate to contact their dentist for assistance and assurance!
About the Practice
Here at Kids’ Smiles on Lincoln, we provide an unmatched level of pediatric dental care for families in the Worcester, MA area! We offer a wide range of services that are capable of helping children of all ages and walks of life achieve bright and healthy smiles that last well into their adulthood. If you have any questions about the blog or you’re concerned about your child’s shark teeth, feel free to contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance. Telephone: (508) 290-0090.