# Loose Tooth Question

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 21, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642 "2006-06-21T23:12:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642/1 "2006-06-21T23:12:18Z")

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So my 11 year old son lost his canine today. We pulled it out with a bit of thread. However, he still has some bits of the root embedded in his gums.

Will this come out by itself? Should I take him to a dentist? Should I wait and see if it becomes infected?

Thanks,

Sue

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**Author:** ![Antigen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/848f3c/32.png) [@Antigen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antigen)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642/2 "2006-06-21T23:19:03Z")

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Are you sure it’s the root? There’s a good chance that the new tooth underneath is already showing a bit through the gums, since it was pushing out enough to loosen the baby tooth.

Still, if you’re worried at all, a trip to the dentist is a pretty good idea.

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**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642/3 "2006-06-21T23:26:30Z")

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Thanks for answering so quickly! Upon further inspection it does look like its the new tooth, and I feel a bit silly for not thinking of it myself.  
Thanks again. Now I don’t have to worry for the rest of the evening:)

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**Author:** ![ouisey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9fc29f/32.png) [@ouisey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouisey)\
**Post date:** [June 21, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642/4 "2006-06-21T23:32:57Z")

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Thanks for answering so quickly! Upon further inspection it does look like its the new tooth, and I feel a bit silly for not thinking of it myself.  
Thanks again. Now I don’t have to worry for the rest of the evening:)

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**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\
**Post date:** [June 22, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/loose-tooth-question/361642/5 "2006-06-22T01:32:04Z")

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> [@ouisey](#):
>
> So my 11 year old son lost his canine today. We pulled it out with a bit of thread.

Hey, that’s not fair, a loose tooth is the most fun an 11 year old can have. It feels great to swing it back and forth with your tongue.