Should You Be Worried About Your Child’s Double Row “Shark” Teeth?

You’re doing the bedtime routine, you ask your kid to open up to brush, and there it is — a second row of teeth coming in right behind the baby teeth. Your first instinct is to panic. Before you do, know that this is one of the most common things we see, and more often than not, this resolves itself and is nothing to worry about.

At Silicon Beach Pediatric Dental, Dr. Ray Klein and Dr. Hayley Botwin get texts with photos of “shark teeth” nearly every single day. Dr. Ray has joked about building a gallery of the photos to show parents how common they are. Their pediatric dentistry practice in Culver City is built around fielding these kinds of questions for parents who are trying to figure out what is normal and how to keep their kids’ smiles healthy.

What Are “Shark Teeth,” Exactly?

The nickname comes from the way sharks naturally have multiple rows of teeth, but the similarity really does end there. In kids, shark teeth happen when a permanent tooth starts coming in before the baby tooth in front of it has fallen out. Instead of pushing the baby tooth out from underneath, the permanent tooth comes up from behind, closer to the tongue, giving the double-row appearance. It most commonly shows up in the lower front teeth around ages 5 to 7.

So, Do You Need to Rush to the Dentist?

Most of the time, no. “Shark teeth” often resolve on their own. If the baby tooth has even a little wiggle to it, encourage your kid to wiggle often. The tongue does a lot of the work for these teeth too. It can help push the permanent tooth forward, helping the baby tooth become more wiggly, and the tongue can even help drift the permanent tooth into a better position once the baby tooth falls out. We regularly tell parents to give it some time before worrying about stepping in.

That said, there are a few situations where coming in for a visit is recommended. Reaching out to Dr. Ray or Dr. Hayley is always welcome, so they can guide you through this decision. Some reasons they may want to evaluate in person sooner than later are if the baby tooth is completely solid — no wiggle at all — or your child is in discomfort: some soreness is normal, but significant or lasting discomfort is worth evaluating.

Why Does This Happen?

There are many reasons why this happens, but simply put, it’s usually the eruption position of the permanent teeth. Whatever the cause, it is a variation of normal, and not a signal that something has gone wrong. Some kids go through it once. Some go through it a few times as different teeth transition. Either way, it is something we see often.

What Happens After the Baby Tooth Falls Out?

Once the baby tooth is out of the way, the permanent tooth tends to move forward into position over the next several weeks on its own. The tongue helps guide it. In most cases, it lines up well without any additional treatment. Occasionally, Dr. Ray or Dr. Hayley will keep an eye on how a tooth is tracking at a regular visit, but there is usually nothing extra for your family to do. You can find more about how we handle common questions like this on our frequently asked questions page.

What to Do Right Now

If you have spotted shark teeth, the most useful thing to do today is check whether the baby tooth is loose. If it wiggles, start having your child wiggle the baby tooth a few times a day. Make it part of the tooth-brushing routine. Keep an eye on the permanent tooth coming in behind it, and if nothing changes after a few weeks or you notice any of the situations above, that is the right time to give us a call. There are cases where maybe the baby tooth needs a little help coming out.

Silicon Beach Pediatric Dental Has Seen This Before

Dr. Ray Klein and Dr. Hayley Botwin have a straightforward approach and are not looking to do more than what a situation actually calls for. Dr. Ray and Dr. Hayley both trained at USC and completed their pediatric residency at Miller Children’s Hospital.

If your child has shark teeth and you want a second set of eyes on it, contact our office to set up a visit. We are in-network with most PPO plans, and we are always happy to tell you whether something needs attention or whether you can just wait it out.