Yes, a baby tooth can get stuck when bone or tissue holds it in place and a dentist may need to help it come out.
Hearing your child ask, “can a baby tooth get stuck?” can make any parent stop and wonder what is normal. Most of the time baby teeth loosen and drop out on their own, but some teeth seem to hang on for months or even years.
This guide explains what “stuck” means in this setting, how to tell normal timing from a problem, and when to book a visit so a pediatric dentist can check that new adult teeth have enough room to grow.
When Do Baby Teeth Normally Fall Out
Before you worry about a stuck tooth, remember the usual sequence. Baby teeth tend to fall out between ages six and twelve as permanent teeth push through, and Mayo Clinic baby teeth guidance describes this pattern. Lower front teeth usually fall first, then upper front teeth, then teeth further back.
Every child follows a slightly different rhythm. Some start a little earlier, some a little later. What matters most is steady progress over time and a pattern that makes sense from left to right.
| Tooth Group | Common Age Baby Tooth Falls Out | What Parents Often Notice |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Central Incisors (bottom front) | 6–7 years | First loose teeth, small gap at the bottom front |
| Upper Central Incisors (top front) | 6–7 years | Top front teeth wiggle soon after the lowers |
| Lateral Incisors | 7–8 years | Spaces widen as the front smile starts to change |
| First Molars | 9–11 years | Chewing feels odd, food catches around the back teeth |
| Canines | 9–12 years | Pointed teeth near the corners of the mouth begin to loosen |
| Second Molars | 10–12 years | Last baby teeth to go, gaps appear toward the back |
| Teeth With Heavy Decay Or Past Injury | Often earlier than listed | Tooth may loosen sooner because of damage to the root |
If a tooth stays firm more than a year past these ranges while its matching tooth on the other side has fallen out and a replacement has appeared, that tooth deserves a closer look.
Why Baby Teeth Get Stuck In Place
A baby tooth can feel stuck for more than one reason. Dentists often use the term “retained primary tooth” when a baby tooth stays in the mouth longer than expected because something about the tooth, the bone, or the permanent tooth underneath is outside the usual pattern.
Permanent Tooth Is Missing Or Delayed
One common reason is a missing or late permanent tooth. Baby teeth fall out when the root slowly melts away as the adult tooth pushes from below. If that adult tooth is slow to form or sits far from the baby tooth, there is less pressure to loosen it.
A dental X-ray can show whether a permanent tooth is present and how close it sits. In some children the adult tooth is there but slow, so the dentist simply follows the area over time. In other children, the X-ray shows no tooth bud at all, which can change the long-term plan for that space.
Tooth Is Ankylosed Or Fused To Bone
Another reason a baby tooth can get stuck is dental ankylosis. In an ankylosed tooth, the root joins directly to the jaw bone instead of to a flexible ligament. That fusion keeps the tooth from moving, so it may sit lower than neighboring teeth as the jaw grows. Resources on dental ankylosis from oral health groups describe this as a rare but real issue that appears most often in baby molars.
An ankylosed molar can look “sunken,” with the chewing surface lower than the teeth beside it. Food collects there more easily, and nearby teeth may tip or drift toward the low spot.
Crowding And Misalignment
If the jaw is small or many teeth compete for space, the permanent tooth may grow at an angle. Instead of pushing directly under the baby tooth, it may slide behind or in front of it. The baby tooth then stays in place while a second row of teeth appears, sometimes called “shark teeth.”
Crowding can affect a single tooth or most of the front teeth. In both cases, a stuck baby tooth can be part of a wider spacing or bite problem that a pediatric dentist and orthodontist plan for together.
Baby Tooth With A Large Filling Or Past Trauma
A baby tooth that needed a large filling or took a hard hit can also hold on longer than expected. Extra restorative material and scar tissue change how the tooth wears down and how the root melts away as the child grows.
This does not always cause trouble, yet it can raise the chance that the tooth will need help coming out so the permanent tooth has a clear path.
Can A Baby Tooth Get Stuck? Warning Signs For Parents
Many kids have loose teeth that seem to wiggle forever, so it can be hard to know when the question “can a baby tooth get stuck?” needs more than reassurance. A few patterns hint that a closer look makes sense.
How A Stuck Tooth Looks
One strong clue is a single baby tooth that sits much lower or higher than the others. A sunken molar can look shorter, as though it has dropped into the gum. A front tooth that never loosens while the matching tooth on the other side has already fallen out and been replaced also deserves attention.
You might also see a permanent tooth erupting behind or in front of a baby tooth that barely moves. This double row is common in the lower front teeth and often points to a baby tooth that is hanging on longer than it should.
Symptoms Your Child Might Mention
Children may complain that a loose tooth hurts every time they chew or that food keeps getting stuck around one baby tooth. Swelling, bleeding that shows up day after day, or a pimple-like bump on the gum near a stubborn tooth all call for a dental exam.
Color changes matter too. A baby tooth that turns gray or dark after an injury and then does not loosen on schedule can point to nerve damage or other changes inside the tooth.
When To See A Dentist About A Stuck Baby Tooth
Any time you feel unsure about a tooth, you can book a visit with a pediatric or family dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines encourage a first dental visit by the first birthday so growth and any retained teeth are checked early.
Regular checkups every six months give the dentist a chance to spot stuck teeth on routine X-rays before they lead to crowding or bite problems. If you see one of the warning signs between visits, there is no need to wait for the next scheduled appointment.
| Situation | What It May Mean | How Soon To Call |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent tooth erupting behind a firm baby tooth | Retained baby tooth that may need help coming out | Call within a few weeks |
| One baby tooth still firm while the same tooth on the other side is gone and replaced | Possible ankylosis or missing permanent tooth | Call within a few weeks |
| Tooth looks sunken below neighboring teeth | Tooth may be fused to bone | Call soon for an exam |
| Swelling, pus, or a gum bump near a stubborn tooth | Infection or abscess | Call as soon as you notice it |
| Dark or gray baby tooth after an injury | Possible nerve change inside the tooth | Call within days, or sooner if pain starts |
| Baby tooth still present two years after the usual loss age range | Delayed eruption or missing permanent tooth | Call within a few weeks |
| Pain that wakes your child at night or stops them eating | Deep decay, infection, or recent trauma | Seek urgent dental care |
If you are not sure where your child’s tooth falls in the timeline, a dentist can compare their chart to growth charts and use X-rays to see what is happening below the surface.
What The Dentist May Do For A Stuck Baby Tooth
The dentist starts with a full exam, including questions about timing, past injuries, and any biting or chewing trouble. Small X-rays help show whether a permanent tooth is present, how close it sits to the baby tooth, and whether the baby tooth appears fused to the bone.
Watching And Monitoring
If the permanent tooth is present and moving in the right direction, the dentist may suggest a watch-and-wait plan. That usually means regular checkups and X-rays to be sure the baby tooth starts to loosen and the adult tooth keeps heading toward the correct spot.
During this period, gentle wiggling at home during brushing or with clean fingers can help, as long as your child feels comfortable. Teeth should not be forced, twisted with string, or pulled with tools at home.
Simple Extraction In The Clinic
When a baby tooth blocks a permanent tooth or appears fused, the dentist may recommend removing it. In many cases this is a short visit done with local anesthesia and behavior guidance that suits children.
After extraction, the dentist may place a small spacer to hold the gap open so neighboring teeth do not drift. This protects room for the permanent tooth to come in at a healthier angle.
Orthodontic Planning
Some stuck baby teeth hint at crowding or jaw growth patterns that will later need braces or other orthodontic tools. The dentist may refer your child to an orthodontist to build a shared plan. Early coordination between the two can lower the risk of teeth erupting in poor positions.
Home Care Tips While You Wait For Loose Teeth
Even when a baby tooth seems stubborn, daily care matters. Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day around tight contacts keeps gums healthier and lowers the risk of cavities in both baby and adult teeth.
Try not to let siblings or friends pull each other’s teeth. Encourage your child to wiggle teeth gently with clean fingers or with their tongue instead of snapping them out in one hard pull. That approach lowers the risk of broken roots, heavy bleeding, or sudden pain.
Most stuck baby teeth can be handled smoothly once a dentist understands what is happening under the gums. With steady checkups and good care at home, you and your child can move through the tooth loss years with less worry and a healthy smile. Ask questions during visits so you feel clear about the plan.