Which factors contribute to the shedding of deciduous teeth?

• A. Pressure from the permanent tooth and the large muscles in the face
• B. Genetic predisposition
• C. Dietary sugar intake
• D. Vitamin deficiencies

Answer: (A)

Shedding deciduous teeth mainly happens because their roots are resorbed in response to the eruption of the permanent successors beneath them. As the permanent tooth develops and pushes upward, it signals and applies pressure on the root area of the baby tooth. This activates odontoclasts to break down the primary tooth roots, loosening the tooth until it can fall out. The large facial muscles can contribute some functional forces that help loosen teeth, but the critical driver is the eruption-related root resorption driven by the developing permanent tooth. Genetics can influence when eruption occurs, but it doesn’t directly cause the resorption process. Diet alone, like high sugar intake, or vitamin deficiencies do not cause the root resorption that leads to shedding.