Expert: Frederick R. Liewehr DDS, MS, FICD - 7/25/2007

Question
Hi, My son who is nearly 5 just lost his first tooth.  Came out without any problem at pre school.  There is "something", looks to me like the new tooth already in place.  Looks to be about 1/2 size of lost tooth and is pink/red in colouring. It is quite loose which is my concern.  Is this his new tooth or is it the reminance (root) of the baby tooth.  My older son never had this and I am very concerned that if it is a permanent tooth and it is loose that there will be problems.  Thanks.

Answer
I couldn't say for sure without seeing him, but a new tooth would be firm and white, so it doesn't sound like that is what it is. You didn't tell me where this occurred, so it is pretty tough for me to figure out what is happening. The first adult tooth that erupts is the first, or "6-year", molar, and it is named for the time it erupts. It is not time for this to occur, and this tooth erupts behind the baby molars, so does not replace one of them. So, I am confused here. I am not a children's dentist, I am a root canal specialist. I would suggest you see a pediatric dentist.