If your child has two rows of teeth, with a permanent tooth coming in behind a baby tooth, your child has what dentists call "shark teeth." This is common in ages 5 to 7 and usually resolves on its own or with a simple extraction.
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Dr. Slepak has guided thousands of Brooklyn children through the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth over his 20+ year career in pediatric dentistry. A Honors graduate of NYU College of Dentistry, he completed his Pediatric Residency at Maimonides Medical Center where he gained extensive experience in developmental dental conditions.
He holds the distinction of Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is an active member of the AAPD and ADA. With hospital privileges at three Brooklyn facilities, Dr. Slepak handles everything from routine evaluations to complex extractions.
A lifelong Brooklynite and father of two, Dr. Slepak knows that seeing a second row of teeth in your child's mouth can be alarming - and he is here to explain exactly what is happening and what to do about it.
Meet Dr. Slepak →The term "shark teeth" refers to a situation where a permanent tooth erupts while the baby tooth above it is still in place. Instead of pushing the baby tooth out from below, the permanent tooth comes in behind it, creating a second row of teeth.
This happens most often with the lower front teeth (incisors), but it can occur with any tooth.
The condition gets its name from the way sharks have multiple rows of teeth. It looks alarming to parents, but it is a normal variation in how children's teeth transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth.
Several factors can cause shark teeth:
This is not caused by anything the child or parent did wrong. It is simply a variation in normal dental development.
If the baby tooth is loose, encourage your child to wiggle it. It usually falls out within a few weeks, and the permanent tooth moves forward naturally. The tongue helps guide it into place.
If the baby tooth shows no signs of loosening after 2-3 weeks, or the permanent tooth has nearly fully erupted with the baby tooth still solid, a simple extraction may be needed. Quick procedure with local anesthesia.
If multiple teeth show this pattern, or the jaw appears crowded, we may recommend an orthodontic screening to assess the overall bite and plan for any future space issues.
Once the baby tooth is out of the way, the permanent tooth typically drifts forward into its correct position over the following weeks to months. The tongue helps guide it.
In the majority of cases, no braces or additional treatment is needed for shark teeth. The permanent tooth self-corrects.
If the tooth does not move forward on its own after several months, or if alignment concerns develop, we will discuss options at your child's next check-up.
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Shark teeth are common and usually harmless, but an evaluation gives you peace of mind and ensures your child's permanent teeth have the best chance to come in straight.
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