One significant developmental milestone is losing baby teeth. It usually means that a child is growing and their permanent teeth are beginning to take their place. But parents often wonder when baby teeth fall out, which teeth come out first, and what to expect during the process.
Although it might vary from child to child, most kids start losing their baby teeth around age six. The lower front teeth are commonly among the first to become loose and fall out, followed by other baby teeth over the following years. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry provides approximate exfoliation ranges for individual primary teeth, while noting that normal children do not always follow an exact schedule.
If you’re wondering when baby teeth fall out, there isn’t one exact age for every child. Usually between the ages of 6 and 8, the lower central incisors are among the first baby teeth to erupt. Other teeth follow gradually, and most primary teeth have been shed by the early teenage years.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry’s dental development chart, the approximate shedding ranges vary by tooth and whether it is in the upper or lower jaw.
Here is a simplified overview:
| Baby tooth | Approximate age when it falls out |
| Lower central incisors | 6–7 years |
| Upper central incisors | 7–8 years |
| Lower lateral incisors | 7–8 years |
| Upper lateral incisors | 8–9 years |
| First molars | About 9–12 years |
| Canines | About 9–12 years |
| Second molars | About 9–13 years |
These are approximate ranges rather than strict deadlines. Children can naturally develop at somewhat different rates.
The front infant teeth are frequently among the first teeth that children lose. While the lower central incisors usually fall out around 6-7 years, the upper central incisors usually fall out around 7-8 years. The lateral incisors typically follow afterward.
Parents may notice that a front tooth becomes increasingly loose over several days or weeks before it finally comes out. The permanent tooth may start to show through the gums after the baby tooth disappears.
Parents sometimes wonder what baby teeth look like when they fall out. A baby tooth that is naturally ready to come out may look smaller and thinner than a permanent tooth. It may have a noticeable amount of the root missing or shortened because the root has gradually been resorbed as the permanent tooth develops underneath.
The tooth may also appear slightly discolored or have a small amount of blood around the gum after it comes out. A little bleeding can occur when a loose baby tooth is shed. However, a tooth that is severely damaged, unusually dark, painful, swollen, or falls out because of an accident is different from normal tooth shedding and should be evaluated by a dentist.
Baby teeth are temporary teeth designed to serve children during their early years.
As a child develops, permanent teeth form underneath the primary teeth. The roots of the baby teeth gradually resorb, allowing the permanent teeth to move into their eventual positions.
Baby teeth are still important during this process. They help children chew food, speak clearly, and maintain space for the developing permanent teeth. This is why taking care of baby teeth remains important even though they will eventually be replaced.
If you’re wondering when all baby teeth fall out, most children lose their remaining primary teeth between approximately 9 and 13 years, although the exact timing varies by tooth and by child.
The AAPD chart shows that the shedding of individual primary teeth can extend into the early teenage years. For example, some second molars may not exfoliate until around 11–13 years in the lower jaw. So it’s quite normal for a child to have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth for a few years.
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After a baby tooth falls out, the permanent replacement tooth may already be visible beneath the gum or may emerge later.
A child may experience:
The new permanent tooth may look larger than the baby tooth it replaces. This is normal because permanent teeth are designed for the larger jaw of an older child.
A baby tooth that is very loose will usually fall out on its own.
If a child wants to remove a tooth that is already extremely loose, gentle movement may be enough. The American Dental Association also provides guidance for safely dealing with a loose baby tooth and recommends avoiding forceful methods.
Parents should not force a tooth that is only slightly loose. Pulling prematurely can cause unnecessary pain or bleeding. If a tooth gets loose due to an injury instead of normal development, it is best to reach out to a dentist for guidance.
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Throughout the period when children are losing their baby teeth, they should receive regular dental care. The ADA recommends that a child’s first dental visit occur within six months after the first tooth appears and no later than the child’s first birthday.
A dentist can monitor the eruption of permanent teeth and identify problems such as unusual tooth loss, delayed eruption, crowding, or teeth that are not following an expected developmental pattern.
You should also consult a dentist if your child:
Losing baby teeth does not mean children should stop brushing around the area. Children should continue brushing their remaining teeth gently twice a day with an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste. Parents can help younger children maintain good brushing habits and monitor areas around loose teeth.
Keeping baby teeth healthy is important because they continue to play a role in eating, speaking, and maintaining space while permanent teeth develop. Routine dental checkups also help confirm that the shift from baby teeth to permanent teeth is happening as it should.
So, at what age do children begin to lose their teeth? For most children, the process begins around age 6, with the lower front teeth commonly among the first to go. The remaining baby teeth are then gradually replaced over the next several years.
There is considerable normal variation in the timing, so a child losing a tooth slightly earlier or later does not automatically mean something is wrong. What matters most is maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular dental checkups so a dentist can monitor the child’s dental development.
Losing a baby tooth before the usual age can happen, but the reason matters. If a tooth falls out significantly earlier than expected, particularly because of decay or an injury, a pediatric dentist should evaluate it.
A permanent tooth may take some time to appear after a baby tooth is lost. If there is a prolonged delay or the child has other unusual changes in tooth development, a dentist can use an examination or dental X-ray to determine whether the permanent tooth is developing normally.
Sometimes a permanent tooth begins erupting behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out yet. This can create a temporary appearance of two rows of teeth, commonly called “shark teeth.” A dentist can determine whether the baby tooth is likely to fall out naturally or needs attention.
No. A naturally lost baby tooth does not grow back. The missing baby tooth is eventually replaced by the corresponding permanent tooth, which is a different tooth designed to remain throughout adulthood.
Permanent teeth can naturally look more yellow or cream-colored than baby teeth because their enamel and underlying dentin are different. As more permanent teeth erupt, the color difference between the new teeth and remaining baby teeth can become noticeable.
