{"id":172,"date":"2025-06-23T03:32:42","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T03:32:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/?p=172"},"modified":"2025-10-22T19:01:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-22T19:01:39","slug":"shark-teeth-and-what-you-should-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drlindasteele.com\/blog\/shark-teeth-and-what-you-should-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Shocking Surprise! Discovering Shark Teeth in Your Child\u2019s Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It is an exciting time when the Tooth Fairy becomes a welcome guest in your home. With each baby tooth that falls out, your child is likely to be a few dollars richer and one step closer to achieving their permanent smile. While you may be sad to watch their childlike grin slowly fade away, you might be a bit shocked should you notice a second row of teeth erupting behind those primary chompers that have yet to fall out. Keep reading to learn about these \u201cshark teeth\u201d and why you don\u2019t need to worry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What are \u201cShark Teeth?\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shark teeth, as they are known, are used to describe adult teeth that begin to erupt behind primary ones that have not yet fallen out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These can develop when your child is between 5 and 7 years of age, and they are most commonly found along the lower arch. Although some have been seen along the upper row of teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This happens because the roots of your child\u2019s baby teeth have yet to dissolve, making it impossible for adult ones to erupt in their proper place. As a result, a second row forms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Can Cause Shark Teeth to Form?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the most obvious cause is your child\u2019s baby tooth or teeth refusing to fall out on their own, other potential reasons include overcrowding and genetics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your child\u2019s mouth lacks the necessary space for permanent teeth to erupt successfully, shark teeth can form. Also, if other members in their family had an extra row of permanent chompers show up, there\u2019s a good chance it will also occur in your child.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Should You Take Your Child to See the Dentist?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generally, this type of eruption is nothing to be concerned about. It might look \u201codd,\u201d but it\u2019s actually quite normal. Instead of rushing your child to the emergency dentist, start by encouraging them to try and wiggle their baby tooth. This can help loosen it so that it will eventually fall out on its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you begin to notice any of the following symptoms, go ahead and take your child to see their pediatric dentist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n