Should I Pull My Child’s Loose Tooth?

Should I Pull My Child’s Loose Tooth?When do baby teeth fall out?

Children generally start to lose their baby teeth around age six, and most of them will have fallen out by age 12. They usually fall out in the same order they came in, and typically the front teeth will come out first.


What to do when your child’s tooth is loose:

When your child has a loose baby tooth, your first instinct may be to pull it out, especially if it’s distracting your child at school or affecting their eating habits. As tempting as it may be, pulling a loose tooth isn’t always the best option. If a tooth is removed prematurely, it can affect the placement of the adult teeth. That being said, there are some things you can do to help get the tooth out safely and naturally.

  • Be reassuring. Your child may feel anxious about the thought of their tooth falling out, so be sure to comfort, encourage and reassure them throughout the process.
  • Let them wiggle it. Gently wiggling the tooth back and forth (not twisting or pulling) will help it fall out on its own. This will also lessen the pain and bleeding that comes with losing a tooth.
  • Have them brush. Of course you monitor their daily brushing habits anyway, but when a loose tooth is involved, it might help it fall out by having your child brush a few more times a day.
  • Follow their lead. Only your child can tell how loose his or her tooth is, and how painful it is to wiggle. That’s why it’s a best to encourage your child to pull their own tooth. This will help them feel more in control of the situation and somewhat lessen any anxiety.
  • Remind them of the tooth fairy. Telling your child about the tooth fairy can help lessen their fear and replace it with excitement over losing their baby teeth.


Schedule a consultation

If you are interested in learning more about helping your child remove his or her baby teeth safely, we welcome the opportunity to meet with you. To schedule an appointment, please contact Scott T. LeSueur, DDS & Charles A Dodaro, DDS online or by calling our Mesa office at (480) 834-6991 today. We serve Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, and all surrounding Arizona communities.

Ready To Schedule Your Appointment

* All indicated fields must be completed. Please include non-medical questions and correspondence only.

Drs of Smiles

Office Hours

Mon, Wed, Thurs & Fri: 7am - 5pm
Tuesday: 7am - 7pm
Saturday: 8am - 3pm
Sunday: Closed

Accessibility Toolbar

Scroll to Top