Pediatric Dentist: When Your Child Loses Their First Tooth

Losing the first tooth can be an overwhelming feeling for a child.

It is hard to think back that far, but losing your first tooth may have been a very anxious time in your young life. Although it may be made easier by the promise of a visit from the Tooth Fairy, losing a first tooth can be an overwhelming feeling.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

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Whitney S.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr. Thoms. My 7-year-old, who has autism, recently had dental work done here and the experience exceeded expectations. The staff was incredibly kind, patient, and understanding of his needs. They took the time to make him and us feel comfortable, never rushed, and explained everything. I am so grateful for this office and the team that made my son's dental care possible. I would recommend The Dental Anesthesia Center and Dr Thoms to any parent, especially those with children who have special needs. They truly go above and beyond. ❤️

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words! We’re truly grateful for your trust in our team and Dr. Thoms. Knowing your visit was a positive and comfortable experience means the world to us — it’s exactly what we strive for with every patient and family. 💙

Joy H.

Very patient with elderly patients. Very good experience.

Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your feedback! We’re pleased to know the visit was a positive experience.

Carla B.

My son has been a patient of Dr Michael Hoffman since he was 5 years old. He is now 21 years old. My son has diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder and therefore I am cautious of who I select as a treatment provider. Dr. Hoffman’s office is professional, kind and I know they have his best interest at heart. I highly recommend Dr. Hoffman and staff to anyone seeking dental care.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We truly appreciate your trust in our team over the years.

Paul

Super experience. Gentle and empathetic. All round care is great. Staff are wonderful.

Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! We’re so glad you had a great experience with our team.

Nancy S.

We are forever grateful for Dr Hoffman and his wonderful staff for having the vision of how to get necessary dental work done for patients who are dealing with autism and cannot tolerate it without dental anesthesia. We have been taking our adult daughter there once a year for the last four years. Thanks to Dr Hoffman’s vast knowledge and expertise, our daughter has been able to get wisdom teeth removed, cavities filled, teeth cleaned and detailed X-rays to know exactly what needed done. The Dental Anesthesia Center is a great service to the community. Thank you so much for helping us.

Response from the owner:hank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind words about our team! We truly appreciate your trust in us and are honored to provide care in a way that helps make dental treatment more comfortable and accessible for all patients. Your feedback means a great deal to our entire staff.

When your child is about to lose a tooth, it can become very sensitive, and any anxiety they have about it falling out may increase. That is why being communicative and supportive is so important in creating a positive experience.

Losing the First Tooth

Most children lose their first tooth by the age of six, although every child is different. Typically, all of their baby teeth are gone around the age of 13. Of course, every child goes through it on their own time frame. Although most parents think that it’s the end of the story once the tooth is gone, if it’s not anticipated or treated correctly, the tooth loss can cause problems. If your child has lost their first tooth, it is important not just to make sure that the Tooth Fairy leaves them a little surprise but that you care properly for the socket that is left.

Make sure to wipe their gums – When your child loses their tooth, there is going to be a gaping socket where the tooth once stood. To ensure that an infection doesn’t set in, make sure to wipe the socket with a sterile gauze pad. You will also want to have them rinse their mouth with a mixture of salt water to prevent any inflammation or infection and to soothe your child’s mouth. If they are having a hard time with pain, then you can place a cool tea bag on the open socket or give them Motrin or Tylenol just to take the sting away.

Don’t brush the missing tooth space – You want to encourage your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day, but once they lose that first tooth you need to make sure that they skip over the sore and empty socket. If they brush it, it will further irritate and hurt the area. The socket is going to be tender for a day or two, so just make sure that they gloss over the area where the tooth is missing.

Consider mouthwash – To ensure that the socket doesn’t become infected, consider using mouthwash. Mouthwashes have antibacterial ingredients that are excellent for your child’s first tooth loss. Since you want them to not brush the area, mouthwash can ensure that no bacteria sets in or add inflammation to the injury of the tooth loss.

There are all sorts of milestones that parents and children get to go through. Your child’s first tooth loss is exciting, and if you handle it right, it can be a positive experience for you both.

Pediatric Dentistry in St. Louis

Your child’s initial oral examination will include a visual examination, charting, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations. We work hard to make your child feel at ease by providing exceptional patient care in a relaxed, convenient atmosphere.

Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!