When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth?

Maybe you remember when your sweet little baby got their first tooth. From there, it’s only a matter of time before that same tooth winds up under their pillow, waiting for a visit from the Tooth Fairy. But when do they start to lose teeth? And is there a right order for them to lose them?

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Pediatric dentist Daniel Gindi, DMD, shares when to expect those pearly whites to fall.

Loose tooth timeline

Most kids start losing teeth around age 6. By the time they hit their teens, kids will lose 20 baby teeth in all.

But there’s some wiggle room to what’s “normal.” Some kids might lose their first tooth a little earlier. Others might be later.

“It usually lines up with when their baby teeth first came in,” Dr. Gindi explains. “If they got their first teeth early as babies, they might lose them earlier, too. And vice versa.”

And they often come in waves.

“You’ll have stretches where it feels like they’re losing teeth nonstop, and then nothing happens for a while,” he adds.

Here’s a general guide for when kids lose their teeth.

Ages 6 to 7: Central incisors

The front-and-center teeth are usually the first to go. They’re called the central incisors.

Typically, kids will lose their bottom two central incisors first. Then, out go the top two, giving them that All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth look.

At the same time, their 6-year molars start coming in. These are keepers — permanent teeth that grow in behind the baby molars.

Ages 7 to 8: Lateral incisors

The next teeth to fall are the ones right next to the front teeth. Again, it’s common to lose the bottom two first, followed by the pair up top.

Ages 9 to 10: Lower canines

Around this age, kids start losing their two bottom pointed teeth. The top two will come out later on.

Ages 10 to 11: First molars

Molars are the larger, flatter teeth further back in your mouth. Around the ages of 10 to 11, kids will lose their first molars — the ones closest to the canines. They’ll lose two on top and two on bottom.

Ages 11 to 12: Upper canines and second molars

The last baby teeth to go are usually the upper pointed teeth and the four molars near the back of their mouth.

This is also when your kid will start erupting their 12-year molars, which are permanent teeth.

By this point, most of their adult teeth, minus their wisdom teeth, are set.

When a tooth is ready to fall out

Most kids notice a tooth feels “funny” before it becomes visibly loose. It might move around when they eat or feel sore when brushing.

But ... to wiggle or not to wiggle? That is the question.

Most loose teeth come out painlessly while eating or playing. But Dr. Gindi says it’s OK to encourage some gentle wiggling with their tongue or finger. (Just make sure they wash their hands first.)

“Kids who don’t wiggle their loose teeth sometimes end up with inflammation or overgrown gums,” he reports. “If the baby tooth stays in too long, the gum can tighten around it, and it gets harder for the adult tooth to come in.”

If your child experiences any sort of pain or inflammation after their tooth falls out, giving them a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or ibuprofen (Advil®) can help.

Caring for kids’ teeth

Even though baby teeth don’t stick around long, they have a big job to do. That’s why it’s important for kids to regularly brush and floss those temporary teeth.

“Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth and allow the jaw to grow and accommodate them as they grow into place,” Dr. Gindi explains. “So, if they’re lost early to decay or trauma, other teeth can shift and cause crowding.”

And once the adult teeth come in, it’s important to keep them clean and cavity-free.

“Permanent teeth need to last a lifetime,” he continues. “Good dental hygiene habits are a must.”

Encourage your child to keep up with brushing mornings and nights and flossing before bedtime. (That goes for you, too!)

When to get help

Losing baby teeth is a rite of passage. But losing them to trauma can cause trouble. So, seek care if your child loses a tooth (yes, even a baby tooth) from an injury or fall. Also, call a dental health provider if permanent teeth aren’t coming in at all or if your child is experiencing a great deal of pain.

If their baby teeth fall out before age 4 or they don’t seem to be losing them at all by age 8 or 9, talk to a dentist.

“We sometimes order X-rays or blood work to check for underlying issues, but most of the time, it’s just normal variation,” Dr. Gindi reassures. “Don’t panic if your child is a little early or late — every kid has their own pace.”