Baby Teeth Not Falling Out
A baby tooth that stays in place can affect the expected change to permanent teeth; learn what signs need assessment.
[3]The short answer
A baby tooth that stays in place can affect the expected change to permanent teeth and should be assessed when eruption is delayed.
[3]
What does it look like?
Why might a baby tooth remain?
Retained primary teeth have recognised causes and treatment plans; the important question is whether a permanent successor is delayed or absent.
[2]What can you do tonight?
Keep the tooth clean with normal brushing and arrange dental assessment for a retained or delayed tooth. Do not pull it out at home.
[2]How is it checked?
Assessment determines whether the permanent tooth is delayed, absent, or following an altered eruption path, then uses that finding to plan care.
[2]What treatment may be needed?
Treatment planning is based on the eruption problem. Children may receive care in primary dental services, community services, or specialist paediatric teams when their needs are additional or complex.
[2]Can it be prevented?
When should it be assessed?
A delayed or retained tooth belongs in child dental assessment, particularly when a permanent tooth has not erupted as expected or the retained tooth is causing a concern.
[2]Frequently asked questions
Is a retained baby tooth always harmless?
A retained tooth should not be dismissed when permanent eruption is delayed, because the eruption problem needs assessment.
[2]Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.