Why Does My Child Have Two Rows of Teeth?

It can be quite alarming to look inside your child's mouth and discover what appears to be two rows of teeth.

Many parents notice a new adult tooth growing behind a baby tooth and immediately worry that something has gone wrong. The good news is that this is actually a common occurrence and, in most cases, it can be managed without any long-term problems.

Is It Normal for a Child to Have Two Rows of Teeth?

Yes.

Dentists often refer to this as "shark teeth" because the child temporarily appears to have two rows of teeth, much like a shark.

This most commonly happens when a permanent tooth begins to erupt behind a baby tooth before the baby tooth has become loose enough to fall out naturally.

Although it can look unusual, it is usually a normal part of dental development.

Why Does It Happen?

Normally, the adult tooth develops underneath the baby tooth.

As the permanent tooth moves upwards, it gradually dissolves the root of the baby tooth. This causes the baby tooth to loosen and eventually fall out.

Sometimes, however, the permanent tooth develops slightly behind the baby tooth rather than directly underneath it.

When this happens, the adult tooth may emerge before the baby tooth has fallen out, creating the appearance of two rows of teeth.

Which Teeth Are Usually Affected?

This most often occurs with the lower front teeth between the ages of five and seven.

However, it can occasionally affect:

• Upper front teeth

• Canines

• Other developing permanent teeth

The lower incisors are by far the most common area.

Will the Baby Tooth Fall Out on Its Own?

In many cases, yes.

Once the permanent tooth begins erupting, the baby tooth often becomes looser over the following weeks or months and eventually falls out naturally.

Encouraging your child to gently wiggle the loose tooth can sometimes help speed up the process.

Many children experience no problems at all and require no treatment.

When Should I See a Dentist?

We recommend arranging a dental examination if:

• The adult tooth is already well erupted.
• The baby tooth shows little sign of becoming loose.
• Your child is experiencing pain or discomfort.
• You are concerned about how the teeth are developing.
• The situation has not improved after several weeks.

Regular dental examinations allow us to monitor developing teeth and identify any problems early.

Does My Child Need the Baby Tooth Removed?

Not always.

If the baby tooth becomes loose naturally, we may simply monitor the situation and allow nature to take its course.

However, if the permanent tooth is significantly erupted and the baby tooth remains firmly in place, we may recommend removing the baby tooth to allow the adult tooth more room to move into position.

Parents are often relieved to learn that removing a baby tooth is usually a quick and straightforward procedure.

Will the Adult Tooth Move Into the Correct Position?

In many cases, yes.

Children's teeth and jaws continue developing throughout childhood, and the tongue naturally helps guide teeth into position over time.

Even when a permanent tooth initially appears to be sitting too far behind the baby teeth, it will often move forwards as the mouth develops.

Every child is different, which is why regular dental examinations are so important.

Understanding Your Child's Developing Smile

Children are born with 20 baby teeth, sometimes called milk teeth.

These typically begin appearing from around six months of age and remain in place throughout early childhood.

Between the ages of approximately six and twelve, these baby teeth are gradually replaced by permanent adult teeth.

During this period, it is normal for parents to notice changes in the appearance of their child's smile, including:

• Loose baby teeth

• Newly erupting adult teeth

• Teeth that appear more yellow than baby teeth

• Small ridges on the edges of new adult teeth (known as mamelons)

These changes are all part of normal dental development.

Worried About Your Child's Teeth?

If you've noticed a permanent tooth growing behind a baby tooth and would like reassurance, our team can assess your child's dental development and advise whether any treatment is needed.

In many cases, a simple examination is all that's required to put your mind at ease.