Most children get their first adult tooth around age six, and by about thirteen the majority of the twenty-eight permanent teeth are in place. The wisdom teeth, if they come at all, usually arrive much later, between roughly seventeen and twenty-one, bringing the full set to thirty-two. Knowing this timeline helps parents tell the difference between normal variation, which is wide, and the few situations that are worth a dentist's look.
This guide sets out the order adult teeth usually arrive in, what falls out when, and the signs that are worth checking.
Key takeaways
- The first adult teeth usually appear around age six: the first molars and the lower front teeth.
- Most of the twenty-eight permanent teeth are in by around age thirteen.
- Wisdom teeth, the third molars, typically come between seventeen and twenty-one, if they erupt at all.
- Timing varies a lot between children, and a few months either side of these ages is normal.
- Baby teeth lost very early or very late, or adult teeth coming through in the wrong place, are worth a check.
The big picture
Children have twenty baby teeth, and these are gradually replaced by thirty-two adult teeth, including four wisdom teeth. The changeover usually runs from about age six to twelve for the visible teeth, with wisdom teeth arriving years later. The very first adult teeth to appear are often the first molars, which come in at the back behind the baby teeth without any baby tooth falling out first, which is why many parents miss them. Around the same time, the lower central incisors, the bottom front teeth, become wobbly and are replaced. If your child still has not started losing baby teeth, it usually relates to when they got their baby teeth in the first place, a topic we cover in cleaning baby and toddler teeth.
Permanent teeth eruption timeline
The ages below are typical guides drawn from eruption charts such as the one published by the American Dental Association. Individual timing varies, and the upper teeth often follow the lower teeth by a little.
| Tooth | Usual age it erupts |
|---|---|
| First molars (the "six-year molars") | 6 to 7 years |
| Central incisors (front teeth) | 6 to 8 years |
| Lateral incisors | 7 to 9 years |
| Canines (lower) | 9 to 10 years |
| First premolars | 10 to 11 years |
| Second premolars | 10 to 12 years |
| Canines (upper) | 11 to 12 years |
| Second molars (the "twelve-year molars") | 11 to 13 years |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | 17 to 21 years |
What order do baby teeth fall out?
Generally, baby teeth are lost in roughly the order they came in. The bottom front teeth usually go first, around age six, followed by the top front teeth, then the teeth further back over the next several years. By around age twelve most children have lost all twenty baby teeth. A loose baby tooth should be allowed to come out on its own where possible, since wiggling it gently is fine but forcing it is not necessary.
Why new adult teeth can look different
Parents are sometimes surprised by how the first adult teeth look, and these are usually normal:
- They look more yellow than the baby teeth beside them, because adult enamel is more translucent and the dentine underneath is naturally darker. The contrast fades as the remaining baby teeth are replaced.
- They have bumpy edges called mamelons on the new front teeth. These are normal and wear smooth over time.
- They look big in a small face. The face grows to match them.
- They may come in behind the baby teeth as so-called "shark teeth", especially the lower front teeth. This is common and usually resolves once the baby tooth falls out, though a check is worthwhile if the baby tooth is not loosening.
When to see a dentist
Wide variation is normal, but a few situations are worth a professional look:
- A baby tooth lost very early, which can let neighbouring teeth drift into the space
- Baby teeth that have not loosened well past the usual age while an adult tooth is visibly coming through elsewhere
- Adult teeth erupting clearly out of position or causing crowding, which may signal a need to plan ahead, as discussed in how to straighten crooked teeth
- A knocked-out or injured tooth, since timing and type matter, as in a knocked-out baby tooth
- Pain, swelling, or a tooth that simply never appears
Regular check-ups through these years let a dentist track the changeover and catch spacing or eruption issues while they are easy to manage. Protecting the new molars early with dental sealants is also worth discussing.
General cost in Australia
Monitoring eruption is part of routine check-ups, and many children are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. The figures below are general market ranges, not a quote.
| Item | Typical Australian range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Child check-up and clean | $100 to $250 | Includes monitoring eruption |
| X-ray to assess developing teeth | $50 to $150 | When needed |
| Orthodontic assessment | $0 to $150 | Some clinics offer a complimentary first consult |
The team at Lumi Dental does not list its own prices here. For current options and a written quote, see our current offers or our general dentistry page.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do adult teeth come in?
The first adult teeth, the first molars and lower front teeth, usually appear around age six. Most of the twenty-eight permanent teeth are in by about thirteen, with wisdom teeth arriving later, between seventeen and twenty-one.
My child's adult tooth is coming in behind the baby tooth. Is that a problem?
This "shark teeth" pattern is common, especially with the lower front teeth, and usually sorts itself out once the baby tooth falls out. If the baby tooth is not loosening within a few weeks, a dentist can check whether it needs help.
Why are my child's new adult teeth yellow?
Adult teeth are naturally a little more yellow than baby teeth because the enamel is more translucent. Next to whiter baby teeth the difference looks stark, but it evens out as the rest of the adult teeth come through.
Should I worry if my child's teeth are early or late?
Usually not. Timing varies widely and is often linked to when the baby teeth first came in. A check is sensible if teeth are very late, if baby teeth are lost very early, or if adult teeth come through clearly out of place.
The bottom line
Adult teeth arrive on a broad but predictable schedule, starting around age six and largely finishing by the early teens. Most of what looks unusual, from yellowness to bumpy edges to shark teeth, is completely normal. Regular check-ups during these years are the simplest way to keep the changeover on track. The team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park is happy to monitor your child's developing smile. See our current offers to book a visit.
