Some Thoughts On Pulling Baby Teeth

IS THIS SOME NEWFOUND FORM OF NARCISSISM OR PARENTAL EXHIBITIONISM that’s come as a result of the current “viral video” craze? Whatever it is, goofy videos like the one below are becoming too common. Should parents be subjecting their children to these absurd tooth-yanking antics for publicity?

If YOU have children this age, and they’re losing baby teeth, do you ever ask yourself if you should let them fall out naturally, let THEM pull them out, or just pull them yourself?

Of course, in the end, the decision is yours. You’re the parent. However, Dr. Puig offers the following five considerations as you try to make these decisions in your own family:

1. Dentists today (for the most part) offer parents the following advice… Don’t pull your children’s teeth out. Encourage them to pull them out themselves by wiggling their tooth with their fingers and their tongue. This is primarily because only the child knows for sure how loose a tooth really is—and how attached it really is! They also know how much discomfort they’re willing and able to take.
2. If your child has waited long enough to pull it out, there shouldn’t be very much bleeding—pack a small piece of wet gauze and hold pressure for a few minutes.
3. Sometimes as a permanent tooth pushes the baby tooth out, the new tooth will push in an unusual direction forward that effects the child’s 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, but this is actually quite rare.
4. Sometimes by waiting longer, the tooth may come out unexpectedly when your child is eating a meal. Although not usual, the tooth can be swallowed. But 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.
5. 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.

DON’T Make These Kinds of Videos… Please

So, there you go! Thoughts from our office about your children losing their baby teeth. One thing for sure… Don’t try creating your YouTube “fifteen minutes of fame” by risking harm to your child. First, it’s really NOT very likely to make you famous. Second, it’s just kinda dumb. And third, it’s NOT worth it if your child has a bad experience!

Again we remind you to be sure to go to our Facebook page and “Like” it (which means you’ve become a practice fan)!

Thank you again for being our valued patients and friends.