If your child has a baby tooth with a crown, you might feel worried. You’re probably wondering if this tooth will fall out like a regular tooth. The good news is, baby teeth with crowns do fall out naturally. Crowns don’t stop the normal process of losing baby teeth. In fact, dentists design these crowns to fall out easily when it’s time.
In this article, you’ll find simple answers about why and how crowned baby teeth come out. We’ll also share clear advice from dentists, helpful facts, and easy tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy.
In This Article
What Are Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth are the first teeth children get. Dentists call them primary teeth. Kids start losing these teeth around age 6. By about age 12, most kids have lost all their baby teeth.
Losing baby teeth is a normal part of growing up. Adult teeth grow underneath baby teeth. As adult teeth grow, they slowly push against baby tooth roots. This makes baby teeth become loose and fall out naturally.
Baby teeth are small but very important. They help kids chew food and speak clearly. Baby teeth also save space for adult teeth to grow in straight. If a baby tooth falls out too early, other teeth might move into that empty space. Then, adult teeth might not grow correctly.
Why Do Some Baby Teeth Need Crowns?
You might wonder, “Why fix baby teeth if they’ll fall out?” The simple reason is: healthy baby teeth are important.
According to the CDC, about 52% of children aged 6-8 have cavities in their baby teeth. That means cavities in kids are very common.
When the cavity is too big for a simple filling, a dentist might suggest a crown. Dr. Amy Kim, a pediatric dentist, explains:
“Crowns protect damaged baby teeth from breaking. They also stop decay from getting worse. This helps teeth stay healthy until they fall out naturally.”
Sometimes baby teeth get damaged or get big cavities. A cavity is a hole caused by tooth decay. Cavities in baby teeth are very common. Over half of kids aged 6 to 8 have had cavities.
When the cavity is small, a dentist uses a filling. But sometimes, the tooth damage is too big. Then, dentists place a crown instead of pulling the tooth out.
A dental crown is a small cap placed over the tooth. Crowns are usually silver-colored metal or white-colored material. They protect weak teeth and stop cavities from growing bigger.
Dentists also put crowns after treating tooth infections. This treatment is called a baby root canal. It helps remove infection inside the tooth. Afterward, the crown keeps the tooth strong until it naturally falls out.
Your child’s tooth might need a crown if:
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It has a large cavity that can’t hold a filling.
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It’s cracked or broken from an accident.
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It had treatment for infection (baby root canal).
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It needs to hold space for an adult tooth.
Crowns save baby teeth from more damage or pain. They also help adult teeth grow correctly by holding space.
Some parents ask, “Why crown a tooth that will fall out anyway?” The answer is clear. Baby teeth might need to stay healthy for a few more years. Crowns keep these teeth safe until it’s their natural time to fall out.
Will a Baby Tooth with a Crown Fall Out Normally?
Yes, a baby tooth with a crown falls out naturally. It works exactly like any other baby tooth.
The crown is only glued onto the tooth itself. It’s not attached to the gum or bone. When the adult tooth grows underneath, it slowly pushes up. This makes the baby tooth’s root shrink and weaken. Finally, the baby tooth becomes loose and falls out with the crown.
Think of the crown as a helmet on a tooth. When the tooth is ready to come out, the helmet comes out too. Crowns don’t stop the tooth from falling out naturally. In fact, dentists design baby tooth crowns to easily fall out with the tooth. Unlike crowns for adults, crowns for baby teeth only last until the tooth is ready to come out.
Your child’s crowned tooth will start feeling loose naturally. Your child might wiggle it gently with their fingers or tongue. Soon enough, it will come out—just like any other tooth. This is normal and exciting. Your child can even put that shiny crowned tooth under the pillow for the tooth fairy!
What If the Crown Falls Off Too Soon?
Sometimes, a crown falls off before the tooth is ready. This doesn’t happen often, but it can occur for a few reasons:
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Sticky or hard foods: Candies, gum, or ice can loosen crowns.
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Accidents or falls: Bumps or falls can knock crowns loose.
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Weak glue: Dental glue holding the crown might weaken.
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New cavities: Cavities forming under crowns can loosen them.
If your child’s crown falls off early, don’t worry. Stay calm and gently check their mouth. Often, the tooth itself is still in place, and only the crown fell off.
Remove the crown carefully from your child’s mouth. Keep it safe in a small container or bag. Then, call your child’s dentist and let them know what happened. The dentist will check the tooth and crown.
If the tooth is healthy, the dentist can glue the crown back on. If the crown is damaged, your dentist might make a new one. Sometimes, the tooth might be ready to fall out soon. In that case, your dentist might decide no new crown is needed.
While waiting to visit the dentist:
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Gently clean the area with a toothbrush.
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If the tooth feels sharp, cover it gently with dental wax (found at drugstores).
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Have your child chew on the opposite side of their mouth.
Your dentist will make sure your child’s tooth stays healthy until it’s ready to naturally fall out.
Do Crowns Change How Baby Teeth Fall Out?
You might wonder if crowns affect when teeth fall out. The simple answer is no. Crowns don’t change how or when baby teeth fall out.
A baby tooth with a crown falls out at its normal time. For example, a back baby tooth usually falls out around age 10-12. Having a crown won’t delay this process. The adult tooth knows exactly when to come in, and the crown doesn’t affect this timing.
In rare cases, baby teeth (with or without crowns) may stay longer. Sometimes, an adult tooth is missing or grows in the wrong spot. If this happens, the baby tooth won’t get loose normally.
If you notice your child’s baby tooth isn’t getting loose, visit your dentist. The dentist will check the adult tooth’s position using an X-ray. If needed, the dentist may help by gently removing the baby tooth.
This situation doesn’t happen because of the crown. A crown never stops an adult tooth from coming in on schedule.
How to Care for a Baby Tooth with a Crown
Caring for your child’s crowned tooth is easy. It’s similar to caring for regular teeth, but there are a few extra tips to follow. Keeping the crowned tooth clean helps it stay healthy until it naturally falls out.
Here’s exactly how you can care for your child’s crowned baby tooth:
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Brush twice daily: Brush gently twice a day using fluoride toothpaste. Brush carefully around the crowned tooth. Crowns themselves don’t get cavities, but decay can form around the edges.
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Floss every day: Floss gently around the crowned tooth once each day. Flossing removes tiny bits of food stuck between teeth. This prevents new cavities near the crown edges.
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Avoid sticky or hard foods: Sticky candies or very hard foods can loosen or break crowns. Limit foods like chewy caramels, gummy candies, ice cubes, or nuts. Choose softer, healthier snacks instead.
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Visit the dentist regularly: Schedule dental check-ups every six months. The dentist will check the crown and tooth carefully. They’ll also ensure adult teeth underneath are growing correctly.
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Eat a healthy diet: Give your child plenty of water. Limit sugary snacks and drinks. A balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins keeps teeth strong and healthy.
Following these tips keeps your child’s crowned tooth healthy. This way, the crown stays secure until the tooth naturally falls out. It also helps prevent cavities in other teeth.
When Should You Call the Dentist?
While crowns on baby teeth are generally worry-free, there are times you should contact your child’s dentist for advice or an appointment. Call the dentist if you notice any of these issues:
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The crown is loose or falls off before the tooth is ready to come out. (As mentioned above, the dentist can fix this.)
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Your child says the crowned tooth hurts a lot or you see swelling in the gum around it. (This could mean there’s decay or an infection under the crown.)
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The baby tooth (crowned) has not fallen out and it’s past the typical age, especially if you see the adult tooth coming in. (The dentist can check if an extraction is needed to help the adult tooth.)
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The crown is cracked or has sharp edges. (It may need to be smoothed or replaced for your child’s comfort and safety.)
For any concerns, it’s better to have the dentist take a look. Pediatric dentists are used to these situations and will know just what to do. Even outside of regular check-ups, they are there to help if something unexpected happens with your child’s dental work.
Conclusion
Baby teeth with crowns fall out naturally, just like normal baby teeth. Crowns simply protect teeth until they’re ready to come out. Remember to keep your child’s teeth clean by brushing and flossing daily. Regular dental check-ups also help crowns last until teeth naturally fall out.
When the crowned tooth finally falls out, celebrate it as an exciting milestone. Your child can proudly give it to the tooth fairy—crown and all! With good dental care, your child’s smile stays healthy, comfortable, and ready for strong adult teeth.
