Most wobbly baby teeth never need pulling. As the adult tooth below moves up, the baby tooth's root is gradually dissolved, and the baby tooth lets go when there is almost nothing left holding it. The only time to step in at home is when the tooth is hanging by a strip of gum and getting in the way of eating or sleep; before that, waiting is kinder and cleaner.
How to tell a tooth that is ready from one that is not
A tooth that is nearly ready moves freely in several directions, may tilt or twist when touched, and often sits a little higher or crooked compared with its neighbours. Your child may say it feels strange rather than sore. A tooth that only shifts slightly back and forth, or hurts when pushed, still has root attached. Pulling it at this stage tears the gum, bleeds more and can make a child wary of anyone touching their mouth.
Letting your child wiggle it with a clean finger or their tongue is fine and may help it along. Normal eating, including firmer foods if they are comfortable, can do the same. Keep brushing around the loose tooth gently rather than avoiding the area, since plaque builds up quickly where brushing is skipped.
If it is hanging by a thread
When a tooth is barely attached and bothering your child, wash your hands, hold the tooth with a clean tissue or gauze, and give a small, quick twist. If it does not come away easily, stop and give it another day or two. Once it is out, have your child bite on clean gauze or a folded tissue for a few minutes; a small amount of bleeding is normal and settles with light pressure. A rinse with plain water afterwards is enough.
Tricks worth skipping
String tied to a door handle, a pet's collar or a toy car makes for a memorable story but uses far more force than a ready tooth needs. If the tooth is not ready, it can break, leave root behind, or injure the gum. The same goes for pliers or anything that grips hard. If a tooth needs that much effort, it is not ready, or it needs a dentist.
When looseness is not the normal kind
A tooth that has become loose for another reason needs a check rather than wiggling:
- A knock or fall. Injury can loosen a baby tooth before its time and may affect the adult tooth developing behind it. Darkening afterwards is also worth reporting, as our article on a grey baby tooth after a fall explains.
- Swelling, a pimple on the gum, pain or a bad taste. These can mean infection, often from decay. Our article on whether baby tooth decay needs treating covers why this matters.
- A tooth that seems loose much earlier than expected, with no injury or decay to explain it. That is unusual and worth having examined.
A different situation is the opposite problem: the adult tooth has come through behind a baby tooth that will not budge. Our guide to a baby tooth that will not come out deals with that, and our overview of when baby teeth usually fall out sets out the normal order.
Keeping it a non-event
Children take their cue from adults. Treating a wobbly tooth as ordinary, letting your child be in charge of the wiggling, and not offering to pull it every evening helps keep their mouth a place they are comfortable having touched. That carries over to dental visits, which our first visit guide talks about.
If it bleeds more than expected
A little bleeding is expected. If bleeding continues despite firm pressure with gauze, or there is swelling or pain, contact a dentist.
When to bring them in
If a tooth was loosened by a fall, looks infected, or is not following the usual pattern, our dentists and OHTs can take a look and explain what is happening. Book with a dentist in Melrose Park or see our current deals page.
This article is general information and is not a substitute for personal dental advice. For advice about your own child, please see a dentist.
