As you may know, kids typically lose their first baby tooth at 6 years old and the last at 12 years old. Having baby teeth beyond 12 years old may be a sign your adult teeth are struggling to make their way up or may be missing altogether. When adult teeth form, the roots of the primary teeth break down, which causes loss of the baby tooth.

Make an appointment with your dentist for a clinical exam or x-ray. Depending on your situation, you’ll want to discuss the options. It's possible delayed baby teeth loss is not serious, but it's better to be safe. You may run into problems later, leaving you with braces as an adult, which might be uncomfortable.

In some cases, the dentist removes primary teeth, so adult teeth have room to squeeze in. In other cases, a deeper developmental issue or trauma could be the cause. These things are treatable and may just mean an extra trip to the orthodontist.

As it is with most dental concerns, you won’t know the answer until you talk to your dental hygienist. If you’re in the area, give us a call at either of our locations in Winnipeg to book an appointment: St. Vital 204-255-0587 | Garden City 204-334-4341