Children typically lose their first baby tooth around age 6, and the process continues until age 12 or 13 when the last baby teeth fall out. The full timeline spans about seven years, with different types of teeth falling out in a predictable sequence. Here’s what to expect and when.
The First Teeth to Go: Ages 6 to 8
The bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) are almost always the first to go, falling out between ages 6 and 7. The top front teeth follow shortly after, typically between ages 7 and 8. Then the lateral incisors, the teeth on either side of the front ones, shed between ages 7 and 9.
This lines up neatly with how baby teeth originally came in. The bottom front teeth were the first to erupt in infancy, around 5 to 8 months old, and they’re the first to leave. Teeth generally fall out in roughly the same order they arrived.
Around this same time, something easy to miss is happening in the back of your child’s mouth. The first permanent molars erupt between ages 5.5 and 7, but they don’t replace any baby teeth. They emerge behind the existing baby molars in open space, so there’s no wobbling or falling out involved. Many parents don’t realize these are permanent teeth that need the same care as the ones replacing baby teeth up front.
The Middle Stage: Ages 9 to 12
After a bit of a lull, the canines (the pointy teeth) and molars start shedding. Lower canines fall out between ages 9 and 11, while upper canines go between 11 and 12. The baby molars, both first and second, shed between ages 9 and 13. Permanent premolars grow in to replace the baby molars, and the second set of permanent molars erupts between ages 12 and 14.
By age 13, most children have lost all 20 of their baby teeth. By age 21, the full set of 32 permanent teeth has usually erupted, including wisdom teeth, though not everyone develops wisdom teeth at all.
Tooth-by-Tooth Timeline
- Lower central incisors: 6 to 7 years
- Upper central incisors: 7 to 8 years
- Lower lateral incisors: 7 to 8 years
- Upper lateral incisors: 8 to 9 years
- Lower canines: 9 to 11 years
- Upper canines: 11 to 12 years
- First molars (upper and lower): 9 to 12 years
- Second molars (upper and lower): 9 to 13 years
Why Some Kids Lose Teeth Early or Late
These ranges are averages, and plenty of healthy children fall outside them. Some kids lose their first tooth at 5, others not until 7. Girls tend to lose teeth slightly earlier than boys. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry notes that many otherwise normal children don’t follow the standard schedule strictly.
That said, if your child hasn’t lost a single tooth by age 7 or 8, it’s worth scheduling a dental visit. A pediatric dentist can take an X-ray to confirm that permanent teeth are developing normally underneath. One common finding is “shark teeth,” where a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out yet. This looks alarming but usually resolves on its own as the baby tooth loosens.
Genuinely premature tooth loss, a child losing teeth well before age 4 or 5, can result from dental trauma (a fall or injury), severe cavities, or rarely, an underlying medical condition. If a baby tooth is knocked out or falls out unusually early, a dentist can evaluate whether a space maintainer is needed to keep the gap open for the eventual permanent tooth.
When Baby Teeth Never Fall Out
Some people reach adulthood with one or more baby teeth still in place. The most common reason is hypodontia, a condition where certain permanent teeth simply never developed. Without a permanent tooth pushing up from below, the baby tooth has no reason to loosen and shed. Hypodontia is usually hereditary and affects an estimated 2 to 8 percent of the population (not counting wisdom teeth). The most frequently missing permanent teeth are the second premolars and the upper lateral incisors.
A retained baby tooth can sometimes last decades if the root stays intact and the tooth stays healthy. Eventually, though, baby teeth aren’t built to last a lifetime. They have shorter roots and thinner enamel than permanent teeth, so they may weaken or become damaged over time. A dentist can monitor retained baby teeth and discuss replacement options like implants or bridges if and when they fail.
Adult Tooth Loss by Age
Once permanent teeth are in, they’re meant to last. But tooth loss in adulthood is more common than many people expect. Data from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research shows a clear pattern: adults aged 20 to 34 have an average of 27 permanent teeth remaining (out of a possible 28 to 32, depending on wisdom teeth). By ages 35 to 49, that drops to 25.5. By ages 50 to 64, it’s 23.4.
Gum disease and tooth decay are the primary drivers. Unlike baby teeth, permanent teeth don’t fall out on their own as part of a natural process. Any permanent tooth that becomes loose or falls out signals an oral health problem that needs attention. Regular dental care, especially managing gum health, is the single biggest factor in keeping permanent teeth for life.