When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth? An Age by Age Guide From a Paediatric Dentist Skip to main content
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When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth? An Age by Age Guide From a Paediatric Dentist

Most children lose their first baby tooth around age six and their last one at about age 12. The two bottom front teeth are usually the first to go.

The first wiggly tooth often comes with a lot of questions, not just from your child. This guide covers what to expect at each age, what is normal even when it looks odd, and the few situations where a dentist should take a look.

The short version

* Children have 20 baby teeth, and all of them are replaced.
* The front teeth go first, between ages 6 and 8.
* There is usually a quiet stretch around ages 8 and 9.
* The back teeth and canines go last, between ages 9 and 12.

Age by age

Ages 6 to 7: the front teeth

The bottom two front teeth are usually first, followed by the top two. Both pairs are typically lost between ages 6 and 7.

Something else happens at this age that many parents miss. The first permanent molars, often called the six year molars, come in at the very back of the mouth. They do not replace a baby tooth, so nothing falls out first. They have to last a lifetime, and they are easy to miss with a toothbrush because they sit so far back.

Ages 7 to 8: the teeth beside them

The teeth on either side of the front two, called the lateral incisors, are lost between ages 7 and 8. This is the classic gap toothed school photo year.

Ages 9 to 11: the first baby molars

After a pause, the first baby molars loosen, usually between ages 9 and 11. The lower canines, the pointed teeth, can go any time from 9 to 12.

Ages 10 to 12: the last ones

The upper canines and the second baby molars are the last to go, between ages 10 and 12. By about age 12 most children have no baby teeth left.

Things that look worrying and are usually normal

The new teeth look yellow

Permanent teeth often look more yellow than the baby teeth beside them. This is normal. If the colour concerns you, ask your dentist.

The new front teeth look crooked or too big

Adult front teeth may come in crooked at first and often straighten as the others arrive. They also look large in a small face for a few years.

An adult tooth is coming in behind a baby tooth

Sometimes a permanent tooth appears before the baby tooth has fallen out, so your child has two rows for a while. If the baby tooth is loose, it usually comes out on its own. If it is not loose, a dentist may need to remove it.

Your child is ahead of or behind their friends

The age ranges are wide, and children the same age can be at quite different stages. The order matters more than the exact date.

Wiggling, pulling and the tooth fairy

Wiggling a loose tooth is fine. The Canadian Dental Association advises against forcing out a tooth that is not ready. A tooth that is ready comes out with very little effort and very little blood. Have your child bite on a clean, damp cloth for a few minutes afterward.

When to see a dentist

* A baby tooth is knocked out or loosened by a fall or a hit
* A baby tooth is lost early because of decay
* An adult tooth has come in and the baby tooth in front of it is not loose
* Teeth are coming in well out of the usual order
* The gums are swollen, sore or bleeding and it does not settle

Baby teeth hold the space and guide the permanent teeth into position. When one is lost too early, the teeth beside it can drift into the gap, which is why an early loss is worth a visit.

Frequently asked questions

What age do kids lose their first tooth?

Usually around age six. A little earlier or later is common.

Which teeth fall out first?

The two bottom front teeth, followed by the two top front teeth.

When do kids stop losing teeth?

At about age 12, when the last baby molars and canines fall out.

Do the back molars fall out?

The baby molars do, between ages 9 and 12. The six year molars behind them are permanent and are never replaced.

Should I pull a loose tooth?

Let your child wiggle it. Do not force a tooth that is not ready.

About the contributor

This article was contributed by Smiles on Yonge Orthodontics and Paediatric Dentistry and reviewed by Dr. Leila Raziee, the Smiles on Yonge paediatric dentist in Richmond Hill. Learn more about Dr. Raziee's dental care for children.

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