The first adult teeth often arrive without anyone noticing. Around age six, a set of large back molars comes through behind the baby teeth, with nothing falling out to make room, so many parents only spot them at a check-up. The wobbly front teeth that follow get all the attention, but the changeover from 20 baby teeth to up to 32 adult teeth runs for well over a decade.
The ages below are averages. Better Health Channel notes that it is normal for a child to lose their first tooth up to two years earlier or later than age six, so a child who is a little ahead or behind their friends is usually nothing to worry about.
A child's permanent teeth usually arrive in this order
These ranges follow the Better Health Channel's guide to tooth development. Lower teeth often come through a little before the matching upper teeth.
| Adult tooth | Typical age it comes through |
|---|---|
| First molars (six-year molars) | 6 to 7 years |
| Central incisors (middle front teeth) | 6 to 8 years |
| Lateral incisors (beside the front teeth) | 7 to 8 years |
| Canines | 9 to 13 years |
| Premolars | 9 to 13 years |
| Second molars (twelve-year molars) | 11 to 13 years |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | 17 to 21 years, if at all |
By about 21, an adult can have 32 permanent teeth. Many people have 28, because wisdom teeth often never develop or stay below the gum.
The six-year molars deserve extra attention
Because they come in behind the baby teeth rather than replacing one, the first permanent molars are easy to mistake for baby teeth. They will need to last a lifetime, and their chewing surfaces have deep grooves that trap food. Brushing that far back is hard for a six-year-old, so this is a stage where parents still need to help or check. A dentist or OHT may suggest fissure sealants to help protect those grooves.
Baby teeth usually leave in the order they arrived
From about age six, baby teeth start to loosen as the adult teeth underneath push up and dissolve their roots. The lower front teeth usually go first, then the upper front teeth, then the teeth further back over the following years, as the canines and premolars come through between about 9 and 13. Wiggling a loose tooth gently is fine; pulling out a tooth that is not ready is not needed and can hurt.
New adult teeth often look different, and that is normal
- Bumpy edges. New front teeth often have three small bumps along the biting edge, called mamelons. They usually wear smooth over time.
- A slightly yellower colour. Adult teeth often look a little darker or more yellow than the baby teeth next to them. The contrast fades as more adult teeth come through.
- Size. Adult front teeth can look large in a young face. The face and jaws grow into them.
- Two rows. Lower front adult teeth sometimes come through behind baby teeth that have not fallen out, often called "shark teeth". The baby tooth often loosens and falls out by itself, but if it stays firm once the adult tooth is well through, a dentist can check whether it needs help.
When a dentist should take a look
Most variation is normal, but these situations are worth booking a check for:
- a baby tooth lost early through decay or injury, since neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap
- a baby tooth still firmly in place well after its adult replacement should have arrived, or after the matching tooth on the other side has changed over
- an adult tooth coming through well out of line, or obvious crowding, which can be planned for early, as covered in straightening crooked teeth
- a knocked-out or broken tooth; whether it is a baby or adult tooth changes what to do, as explained in our guide to a knocked-out baby tooth
- pain, swelling, or a tooth that never appears
If a dentist needs to see teeth still developing under the gum, an X-ray may be suggested. Regular check-ups through these years let changes be tracked over time instead of relying on a single visit.
Paying for check-ups during these years
Many families can use the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which covers eligible children aged 0 to 17 for basic dental services, with a benefit cap of $1,158 over two calendar years in 2026. It does not cover orthodontics or cosmetic work. At Lumi Dental, eligible children are bulk billed under the CDBS, and our oral health therapists see children and families with a focus on prevention. If crowding or bite problems show up, we offer free consults for braces and aligners; see our current offers.
Questions parents ask
My child is seven and has not lost a tooth. Is that normal?
Usually, yes. Losing the first tooth up to two years either side of age six is within the normal range. Children whose baby teeth came through late often lose them later too. Mention it at the next check-up if you are unsure.
When should my child first see a dentist?
Better Health Channel suggests a first dental visit by 12 months. Our guide to cleaning baby and toddler teeth covers the early years.
Do wisdom teeth always come through?
No. Some people never develop them, and others have wisdom teeth that stay partly or fully under the gum. A dentist can check their position on an X-ray in the late teens.
Keeping an eye on the changeover
Adult teeth arrive over many years, and most of what looks unusual along the way is part of normal development. If you would like your child's teeth checked, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park sees children for regular check-ups. You can read more on our children's dentistry page or our general dentistry page.
