It’s Shark Week—and while we love the ocean’s fiercest swimmers, we don’t want your kiddos becoming sharks!
What Are “Shark Teeth” in Pediatric Dentistry?
In pediatric dentistry, “shark teeth” refer to a condition where children develop two rows of teeth—just like a shark. This usually happens between ages 5–7 and most commonly in the lower front teeth. It occurs when permanent teeth erupt behind the baby teeth instead of under them, meaning the baby teeth don’t loosen or fall out on their own.
Shark Teeth Example
Should Parents Be Worried?
Not always! If the baby teeth are loose, we often recommend letting nature do its thing (with some help from wiggly fingers at home). However, if the baby teeth aren’t wiggly, that’s when it’s time to call us.
When permanent teeth erupt too far behind the baby teeth, they can’t push the roots out properly. This can lead to misalignment or crowding if not addressed early. In these cases, we may recommend removing the baby teeth in-office to give those permanent teeth the space they need. As you can see in the photo, once the four baby incisors were removed, the permanent teeth naturally shifted into place with a little help from the tongue — turning your little shark back into a human!
Post-Op Tooth Extractions – 11 Months later
Have a Little Shark at Home?
Early action makes all the difference. We love helping little sharks transition into healthy human smiles. 🦈 Have questions or want us to take a look? Give us a call at (843) 216-5879.
Happy Shark Week from the team at Kids Teeth!