Losing the first baby tooth is a milestone most children are excited about. As a parent it helps to know roughly when it should happen, what order to expect, and what counts as normal so you do not worry unnecessarily. Most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth by around age three, and they begin losing them from about age six, finishing in the early teens. There is a wide normal range, so timing varies a lot from child to child.
This guide sets out the timeline, the usual order, and the few situations where a loose or missing tooth is worth a dentist's look.
Key takeaways
- Children have 20 baby teeth and usually start losing them around age six.
- The lower front teeth almost always go first, in roughly the order they came through.
- Most children finish losing baby teeth by about age twelve.
- A wide range of timing is normal. The order matters more than the exact age.
- See a dentist if a tooth is lost very early from a knock, or if teeth have not started to loosen by around age eight.
The usual timeline
Baby teeth tend to fall out in the same order they appeared. The lower front teeth, the central incisors, are first to wobble and go, usually around age six. The adult teeth pushing up underneath dissolve the roots of the baby teeth, which is why they loosen and come out cleanly with little blood.
| Baby teeth | Typical age lost |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors (bottom front) | 6 to 7 years |
| Upper central incisors (top front) | 6 to 7 years |
| Lateral incisors (next to the front teeth) | 7 to 8 years |
| First molars (back) | 9 to 11 years |
| Canines (pointed teeth) | 9 to 12 years |
| Second molars (very back) | 10 to 12 years |
By around twelve, most children have lost all their baby teeth, and the adult set, apart from wisdom teeth, is largely in place.
What is normal and what to expect
It is normal for the new adult tooth to appear before the baby tooth has fallen out, sometimes giving a brief double row, often called shark teeth, most commonly behind the lower front teeth. In most cases the baby tooth then loosens and falls out and the adult tooth drifts forward into place. A little gum tenderness and a spot of blood when a tooth comes out is normal. Loose teeth are best wiggled gently and allowed to come out on their own rather than forced.
Looking after teeth during the mixed years
The years when baby and adult teeth share the mouth are a high-risk time for decay because new adult molars have deep grooves and children are often brushing less carefully. Keep up twice-daily brushing, supervise it until around age seven or eight, and ask your dentist about sealants for the new back teeth. Our guides to brushing properly and preventing cavities both apply here.
When to see a dentist
Most tooth loss needs no intervention, but a few situations are worth a check.
- A baby tooth lost very early from a knock or decay, because the space may need holding for the adult tooth.
- No teeth loosening by around age eight, which is usually just late timing but occasionally signals a missing or impacted adult tooth.
- An adult tooth coming through well out of position or a crossbite developing, which is a good time for an orthodontic assessment. See straightening crooked teeth.
- A very loose tooth causing pain or a tooth knocked loose by injury.
Frequently asked questions
What age do children start losing teeth?
Usually around age six, beginning with the lower front teeth. Anywhere from five to seven is within the normal range.
My child is seven and has not lost a tooth. Is that a problem?
Usually not. Timing varies widely. If nothing has loosened by around age eight, a dentist can take an X-ray to check the adult teeth are present and on their way.
What are shark teeth?
That is when an adult tooth comes through behind a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out. It is common, usually resolves on its own, and only needs attention if the baby tooth will not loosen.
Should I pull a loose tooth out?
It is better to let it come out naturally. Gentle wiggling is fine. Forcing a tooth can hurt and cause unnecessary bleeding.
Do baby teeth matter if they fall out anyway?
Yes. They are needed for eating and speech and hold space for adult teeth. Decay in them can cause pain and affect the adult teeth forming below.
The takeaway
Baby teeth fall out from around age six to twelve in roughly the order they came through, with a wide normal range. Keep up good brushing through the mixed years, protect the new adult molars, and see a dentist if a tooth is lost early or nothing has loosened by age eight. Our team at Lumi Dental is happy to check your child's progress. See our offers page or read our first visit guide.
This article is general information and not a substitute for an individual dental assessment.
