When children lose baby teeth, they’re usually excited to see their permanent teeth erupt. However, the emergence of adult teeth in the wrong order can create a condition called Shark tooth (or ectopic eruption).
In some cases, a permanent, or adult, tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that hasn’t fully exfoliated from the gum line. While it may seem alarming, this is a completely normal occurrence, similar to what sharks experience, which has given rise to the term ‘shark teeth’.
Typically, when a child experiences shark teeth, the primary tooth will naturally loosen and eventually fall out as it’s supposed to. In some cases, this doesn’t occur, and the permanent tooth may start to grow in behind the baby tooth. This causes the appearance of two rows of teeth, which is not ideal, but it’s usually not cause for concern as the teeth typically resolve on their own or through orthodontic intervention.
If a child’s shark teeth persist and cause discomfort or misalignment issues, a pediatric dentist will assess the situation and provide professional guidance on what steps to take next. It’s important to monitor the teeth and ensure that the primary teeth are loosening, as a persistent baby tooth can cause issues such as decay or crowding in the future. In some cases, a pediatric dentist may recommend the use of space maintainers or other orthodontic appliances to assist in the alignment of the permanent and baby teeth. Shark tooth
