Most children lose their first baby tooth around age 6, though some start as early as 5 or as late as 7. The process then continues steadily until roughly age 12, when the last baby teeth fall out and are replaced by permanent ones. This wide range is completely normal, and the timing depends more on your child’s individual development than on any single factor you can control.
The Typical Timeline
Baby teeth tend to fall out in the same order they arrived. The two bottom front teeth (the lower central incisors) are almost always first to go, usually between ages 6 and 7. The two upper front teeth follow shortly after, typically between ages 7 and 8. From there, the process moves outward and backward through the mouth over the next several years.
Here’s the general sequence, based on data from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
- Lower central incisors (bottom front): 6 to 7 years
- Upper central incisors (top front): 7 to 8 years
- Lower lateral incisors (next to bottom front): 7 to 8 years
- Upper lateral incisors (next to top front): 8 to 9 years
- Lower canines (pointed teeth): 9 to 11 years
- Upper first premolars: 10 to 11 years
- Lower first premolars: 10 to 12 years
- Upper second premolars: 10 to 12 years
- Lower second premolars: 11 to 13 years
- Upper canines: 11 to 12 years
- Second molars (upper and lower): 12 to 14 years
These ages reflect when the permanent tooth erupts into place, which is what pushes the baby tooth out. Many healthy children fall outside these windows by a year or more in either direction, and the AAPD notes that “many otherwise normal infants do not conform strictly to the stated schedule.” The same holds true for tooth loss.
What Happens During the Mixed Dentition Stage
Between roughly ages 6 and 11, your child will have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth in their mouth at the same time. Dentists call this the “mixed dentition” period, and it’s the phase most parents notice because the mouth can look a bit chaotic. Gaps appear, teeth come in at odd angles, and the new permanent teeth often look disproportionately large compared to the remaining baby teeth. All of this is expected.
One thing that surprises many parents: the first permanent teeth to arrive aren’t replacements at all. The “six-year molars” erupt behind the last baby teeth, in a spot where no baby tooth existed. These molars typically show up between ages 5.5 and 7, sometimes before any baby teeth have fallen out. Because they don’t replace anything, they can easily go unnoticed. They’re worth paying attention to, though, since they’re permanent teeth your child will keep for life.
By around age 12, most children have lost all 20 baby teeth and have most of their 28 permanent teeth in place. The second molars are the last to arrive, usually between 12 and 14. Wisdom teeth (third molars) come much later, between 17 and 30, if they come in at all.
When Tooth Loss Happens Too Early
Losing a baby tooth before age 4 is rare and worth discussing with a dentist. Even after age 4, losing teeth significantly earlier than peers can signal an underlying issue. The most common causes of premature tooth loss are tooth decay, trauma from falls or accidents, infections, and nutritional deficiencies (particularly low calcium or vitamin D).
Early loss matters because baby teeth do more than just chew food. They hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing underneath. When a baby tooth disappears too soon, the neighboring teeth can drift into the gap. This narrows the space available for the permanent tooth, which can lead to crowding, crooked teeth, or bite problems that may eventually need orthodontic treatment. In some cases, premature tooth loss also affects a child’s ability to pronounce certain sounds clearly, especially “s,” “t,” and “th.”
If your child does lose a tooth prematurely, a dentist may recommend a space maintainer, which is a small device that holds the gap open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in. The AAPD considers several factors when deciding whether a space maintainer is appropriate, including which tooth was lost, how much time has passed, and how far along the permanent tooth’s development is.
When Tooth Loss Seems Late
If your child hasn’t lost any teeth by age 8, it’s reasonable to bring it up at a dental visit, but late tooth loss is rarely a sign of a serious problem. Some children simply develop on a slower schedule. In many cases, the permanent teeth are forming normally underneath and just need more time. A dental X-ray can confirm whether permanent teeth are present and developing as expected.
Occasionally, a permanent tooth is missing entirely (a condition called hypodontia), which means the baby tooth above it has no reason to loosen. This is uncommon but not dangerous, and a dentist can plan ahead for how to manage the gap long-term.
Handling Loose Teeth at Home
Baby teeth are designed to fall out on their own. As the permanent tooth grows upward, it gradually dissolves the root of the baby tooth above it. By the time the baby tooth feels loose, most of its root is already gone, and it will come out with minimal fuss.
The best approach is to let your child wiggle the tooth with their tongue. This applies gentle, even pressure and avoids introducing bacteria from hands into the mouth. Discourage them from yanking at it or poking it with their fingers. Pulling a tooth before it’s truly ready can cause unnecessary pain, bleeding, or damage to the gum tissue. It can also remove the tooth before the permanent one is ready to take its place.
Once a tooth falls out, some minor bleeding is normal. Having your child bite down gently on a piece of clean gauze for a few minutes is usually enough to stop it. The gap left behind may look large, but the permanent tooth will gradually fill the space as it erupts over the following weeks or months.
Signs Something May Be Wrong
Most of the time, losing baby teeth is a straightforward, painless process. But a few situations are worth watching for:
- Loose teeth before age 4: This is unusual and may point to decay, infection, or a developmental condition.
- Visible cavities or dark spots on teeth: Decay is the most common reason a baby tooth falls out earlier than it should.
- Swollen, red, or bleeding gums: This can indicate infection that may be weakening the tooth’s attachment.
- Pain while eating or chewing: A loose tooth shouldn’t cause significant pain. If it does, an infection or abscess may be involved.
- A permanent tooth coming in behind a baby tooth: Sometimes called “shark teeth,” this happens when the permanent tooth erupts before the baby tooth has fallen out. It’s fairly common and usually resolves on its own, but a dentist should take a look if the baby tooth isn’t loosening after a few weeks.