The transition from a child’s baby teeth to their adult set is a multi-year process known as mixed dentition. This phase, where both primary (baby) and permanent teeth coexist, typically begins around age six and continues until age twelve. A nine-year-old is firmly in the middle of this dental shift, often called the late mixed dentition stage. Understanding which teeth are scheduled to be shed at this age provides parents with a roadmap for monitoring their child’s oral development. While every child progresses at their own pace, a predictable sequence governs which teeth are lost.
The Current Phase: Teeth Commonly Shed at Age Nine
By age nine, most children have already lost and replaced the eight central and lateral incisors at the front of the mouth. The action now shifts toward the teeth located further back in the jaw. Specifically, the four first primary molars are typically shed around this time. These molars are located just behind the lateral incisors and are replaced by permanent premolars.
The loss of the four lower canines also frequently begins between ages nine and twelve. Canines are the pointed teeth situated next to the incisors. The first primary molars and lower canines are usually the next primary teeth shed after the incisors. This timing is important because the permanent replacements (premolars and permanent canines) are larger and require adequate space to erupt correctly.
The shedding of the upper canines tends to occur slightly later, often closer to eleven or twelve years of age. The first primary molars in both jaws are replaced by the first permanent premolars, a process that usually spans from nine to eleven years. This phase marks a major transformation in the child’s bite, moving from smaller baby teeth to the larger permanent teeth designed for adult chewing.
Understanding the Overall Tooth Loss Timeline
The sequence of primary tooth loss is highly organized, beginning with the teeth used for biting and moving backward. The first teeth lost are usually the lower central incisors around ages six to seven. This is followed quickly by the upper central incisors and then the lateral incisors, typically falling out between seven and nine years old.
After the incisors, the timeline progresses to the posterior segments, including the first primary molars and canines. The final primary teeth shed are the four second primary molars, which are usually lost between ten and twelve years of age. These second molars are replaced by the second permanent premolars. This orderly shedding ensures that the permanent successors have enough time and space to align properly within the growing jaw.
Signs of Concern and When to Consult a Dentist
While the timeline for tooth loss has a predictable order, individual variations in timing are common. However, certain signs during the mixed dentition phase warrant a professional evaluation by a dentist or orthodontist.
Delayed Shedding
One common issue is a delay in shedding, where a baby tooth remains firmly in place even though its permanent replacement is ready to erupt. If a permanent tooth has begun to emerge but the primary tooth has not loosened, it may prevent the adult tooth from coming in correctly.
Ectopic Eruption
Another concern is ectopic eruption, commonly called “shark teeth,” where the permanent tooth appears behind the baby tooth. This happens most often with the lower incisors. While the permanent tooth may occasionally guide the baby tooth out, it often signals a need for the dentist to extract the primary tooth.
Crowding and Spacing
Significant crowding or spacing issues also require attention, as the jaw may not have enough room to accommodate the larger permanent teeth. An early orthodontic evaluation, often recommended by age seven, can help identify and manage problems like severe crowding or malocclusion (improper bite) before they become difficult to correct.