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Expert Q&A
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| By Catrise Austin Cosmetic and General Dentist | ||
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When can I expect my child to lose his first tooth?
Your child's baby teeth should begin to fall out at about age 6, though some children lose them earlier and some lose them later. Around the same age, you should start to see the first of his 32 permanent teeth begin to appear. The lower front baby teeth are usually the first to shed and be replaced with permanent teeth.
The baby teeth become loose as a result of the permanent teeth absorbing or "eating up" the roots of the baby teeth underneath the gums. If the teeth are not positioned correctly, they may not erupt as scheduled. If you would like to check on your child's progress and make sure his teeth are properly positioned to shed on schedule, have your dentist take an X-ray to ensure proper positioning of your child's developing teeth.
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