Between the ages of 5 and 7, children can begin to feel their teeth moving and loosening. This is completely normal! As a new, permanent tooth starts to emerge, it resorbs the root of the baby tooth, which causes the baby tooth to feel loose.
Q: My child has loose teeth. Can they use Willo?
A: As long as Willo doesn’t bother your child’s mouth, it’s fine to use the device. At some point, Willo’s contractions may irritate the area of the baby tooth, based on how loose it is. Check in with your child about their progress and temporarily discontinue using Willo, if need be.
Q: Will Willo remove a loose baby tooth?
A: Because Willo uses gentle contractions, it may help loosen an already-mobile baby tooth. In fact, Willo is especially helpful in these situations, since children will sometimes avoid brushing loose teeth, allowing plaque and food debris to build up. It’s important to keep the tissue surrounding a loose tooth very clean, to help prevent any irritation or infection. If at any point your child reports discomfort from using Willo with a loose tooth, consider a manual toothbrush until the tooth has dislodged and the site has healed properly.
Q: My child’s baby tooth just fell out. Can they still use Willo?
A: Exciting! But when a baby tooth falls out, the site needs time to heal. During the healing process, a blood clot is formed—Willo, if used during this time, can sometimes dislodge the clot. Because of this, we recommend waiting until the area is completely healed to resume using Willo.
Q: My child has a new tooth starting to come in behind a loose baby tooth. Can they use Willo?
A: As long as Willo isn’t bothersome to a loose baby tooth, it’s fine to use Willo. In fact, using Willo in this instance could be very beneficial, since these areas can become hard to clean and Willo ensures the area is free of food and debris (which could cause discomfort and plaque accumulation). Additionally, crunchy and healthy foods like apples, carrots, or pretzel sticks can help loose a tooth shed more quickly. If you think the tooth needs some assistance in coming out, or if the tooth doesn’t seem mobile at all, ask your pediatric dentist for next steps.
Q: My child has a brand-new tooth—is it safe for them to use Willo?
A: Yes! If you start to see a new permanent tooth coming in, it’s completely safe to use Willo. The gums and surrounding areas should be kept very clean as we welcome a new tooth into the mouth, and Willo will help make that happen.
Q: My child’s permanent teeth are starting to come in, and they don’t seem white. Will Willo help them look whiter?
A: Baby teeth and permanent teeth have different compositions, creating a difference in appearance: While baby teeth tend to have a chalky, white appearance, permanent teeth tend to have a greyish/yellow/white appearance, which is normal. In some cases, permanent teeth can appear more yellowish in color, which can be due in part to a lack of good oral hygiene. Luckily, Willo will be able to help keep them clean. If you have further concerns about the appearance of your child’s new permanent teeth, please consult your pediatric dentist.