It can be surprising when you notice your child’s adult teeth coming in behind or beside their baby teeth before the baby teeth have even fallen out. At Inspire Kids Dental, this is one of the most common concerns parents ask about during pediatric dental visits in Ooltewah, TN.
The good news? In many cases, this is completely normal and treatable. 🦷
Why Are Permanent Teeth Coming In Behind Baby Teeth?
When adult teeth begin erupting before the baby teeth loosen and fall out, dentists often call this “shark teeth.” This commonly happens with the lower front teeth.
Normally, the roots of baby teeth dissolve as permanent teeth push upward underneath them. Sometimes, however, the permanent teeth erupt at a different angle or the baby tooth roots do not dissolve quickly enough.
As a result, your child may temporarily have two rows of teeth.
Is This Normal?
Yes — this happens fairly often in children between ages 5 and 7.
In many cases, the baby teeth will loosen naturally within a few weeks or months as the permanent teeth continue to move into place. The tongue also helps guide the adult teeth forward over time.
However, it’s important to have your child evaluated by a pediatric dentist to make sure the permanent teeth have enough room and that there are no underlying concerns affecting dental development.
When Should You Call a Pediatric Dentist?
You should schedule a dental exam if:
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The baby tooth is not loose at all
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The permanent tooth is coming in far behind the baby tooth
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Your child has pain or swelling
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The adult tooth appears crowded
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Several permanent teeth are erupting incorrectly
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The baby tooth has remained in place for several months
At Inspire Kids Dental, we use gentle pediatric dental evaluations and digital imaging to determine whether monitoring or treatment is best.
Will the Baby Teeth Need to Be Removed?
Sometimes yes — but not always.
If the baby tooth is slightly loose, we may simply monitor it and encourage extra wiggling at home. Many children naturally lose the tooth without intervention.
If the baby tooth is very stubborn and blocking the permanent tooth from moving into position, a simple tooth extraction may be recommended. Pediatric extractions are typically quick and much easier for children than parents expect. 💙
Removing the retained baby tooth early can often help the adult tooth shift into a better position naturally.
Can Permanent Teeth Move Into Place on Their Own?
Often, yes.
Children’s mouths are still growing, and newly erupted adult teeth frequently straighten themselves over time — especially after the baby teeth are gone.
That said, every child is different. Early dental evaluations help identify whether orthodontic concerns, crowding, or spacing issues may develop later.
How to Help at Home
If your child’s adult teeth are coming in before the baby teeth fall out, you can:
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Encourage gentle tooth wiggling daily
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Continue brushing carefully around both rows of teeth
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Avoid forcing or pulling teeth aggressively
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Keep regular dental checkups
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Monitor for discomfort or swelling
Good oral hygiene is especially important during this stage because overlapping teeth can trap plaque and food more easily.
Pediatric Dental Care in Ooltewah, TN
If your child has permanent teeth erupting before losing baby teeth, the team at Inspire Kids Dental is here to help. We provide compassionate pediatric dental care for children throughout Ooltewah, Collegedale, East Brainerd, and surrounding Chattanooga communities. ✨
Our goal is to make dental visits comfortable, educational, and stress-free for both children and parents.
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Visit
Concerned about delayed baby tooth loss or “shark teeth”? Early evaluation can help prevent future complications and give you peace of mind.
Contact Inspire Kids Dental today to schedule your child’s pediatric dental exam in Ooltewah, TN.