Dealing with Shark Teeth

Sharks, unlike most other animals, grow their teeth in rows, one behind the other. The rear teeth slowly push forward until they replace the front teeth. Most people know about that only as a fun science fact. Unfortunately, for some children it is an uncomfortable reality.

When most children begin growing their adult teeth, the roots of their baby teeth dissolve, and the new tooth pushes the loose tooth out of their mouths. Sometimes, however, the adult tooth begins to force its way through the gums before the baby tooth comes out. In this case, the adult tooth ends up behind the baby tooth, leaving one tooth in front of the other, like a shark.

Much of the time, this occurrence is harmless. Eventually, the baby tooth comes out before the adult tooth is completely in place. When the new tooth finishes growing, it moves into its final home in line with the other adult teeth. If the baby tooth doesn’t come out on its own, we may have to extract it.

In rare instances, the “shark” tooth grows in between two other adult teeth. In that case, we will have to shave the sides of the two adjacent adult teeth through a procedure called “disking.” Once that’s accomplished, we will move the permanent tooth into place, using orthodontic braces to properly align the teeth.

If you are at all concerned about the growth pattern of your child’s teeth, let us know. If we find that there is no problem, then no harm has been done. But if it turns out there is a more serious issue, it is better to catch it early. We will take dental x-rays to see if there’s any real danger or if the teeth should just be allowed to grow.

Shark teeth do not pose an emergency, but they can lead to problems down the line if not taken seriously. If you notice permanent teeth erupting behind baby teeth, call KiDDS Dental in Liberty Lake at 509-891-7070 to make an appointment so we can assess the situation and take any necessary steps.