{"id":348,"date":"2025-09-11T09:37:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T09:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentistsatorencoforkids.com\/blog\/?p=348"},"modified":"2025-09-17T21:38:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T21:38:08","slug":"responding-to-shark-teeth-in-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dentistsatorencoforkids.com\/blog\/2025\/09\/11\/responding-to-shark-teeth-in-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"A Double Row Dilemma: Responding to Shark Teeth in Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Like many parents, you may think you already grasp the oral issues a child could face. What else is there besides cavities, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and so on? However, many don\u2019t know how to respond when their children show two rows of teeth along the same arch. You\u2019ll want to brush up on that information, or else you\u2019ll put your family\u2019s smiles at risk. With that said, here\u2019s a guide to responding to shark teeth in kids from your Hillsboro pediatric dentist<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What are Shark Teeth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For starters, you\u2019ll need to learn the basics about this \u201cdouble row\u201d of teeth. You won’t have a good sense of how to respond otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cShark teeth\u201d (or mesiodens) refer to adult teeth that erupt behind or between a child\u2019s baby teeth. Caused by delayed tooth loss, crowding, and genetics, they make kids\u2019 smiles look rather shark-like from up close. They can also cause mild pain and block the eruption of permanent teeth, as well as increase a child\u2019s risk of cavities and gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many \u201cshark teeth\u201d occur when a child is between 5 and 7 years old. While usually seen on the lower incisors, they can develop near the upper incisors or primary molars as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Should You Respond to Them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since adult teeth naturally replace earlier ones, most cases of \u201cshark teeth\u201d don\u2019t require treatment. Even so, you should take an active response to their presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child\u2019s baby teeth are loose and wiggly, take a \u201cwait and see\u201d approach. There\u2019s a good chance they\u2019ll fall out on their own and eliminate the problem. In fact, you could even encourage your child to wiggle their baby teeth with their finger or tongue to loosen them further. Then the permanent ones can erupt properly without any trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should see a dentist for help if the baby teeth aren\u2019t loose. A dental provider may perform a tooth extraction in that case, quickly resolving the issue. On the other hand, they could recommend an orthodontic evaluation \u2013 an assessment that confirms whether your child will need braces or similar treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ways to Make Your Child\u2019s Teeth Healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can\u2019t absolutely prevent shark teeth in kids, but you can help your children develop a healthy smile. Just consider the tips below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n