When it comes to children, their smiles are enough to light up the room for their parents. Be it milk teeth or permanent; the wait is never ending. But what if you didn’t have to wait at all?

Children sometimes tend to develop a second row of teeth right behind their baby teeth. This phenomenon is known as Shark Teeth (Retained Deciduous Teeth) in kids. Although it might sound alarming, there’s nothing to fret about.

Why Does My Child Have A Second Row of Teeth?

Everyone grows up thinking you only have two rows of teeth; the upper and lower part of your mouth. However, that isn’t always the case. When kids start their teething journey, parents expect to see baby teeth pop up first before they get replaced by adult teeth. This happens when the roots of the milk tooth dissolve. In addition, it allows an opening for the permanent tooth to burst through. As a result, the milk tooth falls out and leaves the stage open for its following act. However, sometimes, if the adult tooth is growing at an odd angle, it can disrupt the entire teething process. At times, rather than developing after the milk tooth, the permanent tooth erupts right behind it on the gum line. This can happen if the milk teeth roots don’t dissolve correctly or in time. Thus, this additional row of teeth is called Shark Teeth (Retained Deciduous Teeth).

When Do Shark Teeth Usually Sprout?

The term ‘Shark Teeth’ is actually taken from sharks themselves! This is because sharks have multiple rows of teeth. Nonetheless, it is usually the lower front teeth that find themselves growing in twos. Furthermore, research shows two crucial time periods where shark teeth are likely to erupt. First is when the child is 6 to 7 years old, the prime time for permanent lower front teeth to develop. The second is when the formation of the upper back molars begins. This is usually when the child is around 10 to 12 years old.

How to Treat Shark Teeth in Kids

When you notice an additional tooth poking out from behind your child’s baby tooth, simply give the latter a wiggle. This will help you gauge if the milk tooth is anywhere near falling off. If it is, the shark tooth will find its course back on track and develop in the correct order. However, if the baby tooth doesn’t move but the adult tooth continues to grow behind, it might be time to refer to a Pediatric Dentist for an immediate in-depth evaluation.