Most children lose their first baby tooth around age 6, though the timing can vary quite a bit. A first tooth falling out anywhere between about ages 5 and 7 is within the commonly expected range. The lower front teeth, called the central incisors, are usually the first to go, followed by the upper front teeth.
Every child grows at their own pace, and tooth loss is no different. This guide walks through the full timeline, which teeth fall out and when, and the signs that mean it is worth checking in with a dentist. If you ever want a second opinion on your child’s teeth, the team at Dental Faith is happy to help, and our guide on preparing kids for their first dental visit is a good place to start if this will be a new experience for your family.
When Do Kids Usually Lose Their First Tooth?
Somewhere around age 6 is typical for most kids, but the exact age can land anywhere from about 5 to 7 without being a cause for concern. Some children start a little earlier, some a little later, and both can still be perfectly normal.
Part of this comes down to genetics and how early your child’s baby teeth came in as an infant. A child whose baby teeth erupted early often loses them a bit earlier too. Development simply varies from one child to the next, and a single age should never be treated as a strict deadline.
If your child’s first tooth falls out closer to age 5 or waits until closer to age 7, that alone usually is not something to worry about. The rest of this guide covers the full timeline so you can see where your child fits in.
Which Tooth Falls Out First?
The lower central incisors, the two small teeth at the bottom center of the mouth, are typically the first baby teeth to become loose and fall out. The upper central incisors usually follow soon after.
From there, the general order tends to move outward:
- Lower central incisors
- Upper central incisors
- Lateral incisors
- Primary molars
- Canines
This order generally mirrors the sequence in which the baby teeth first came in as an infant. That said, the exact order can shift a little from child to child, and small variations are normal.
Baby Teeth Loss Chart by Age
Here is a general reference for when baby teeth tend to fall out. Treat these as approximate ranges rather than fixed deadlines, since every child develops a little differently.
| Approximate age | Common tooth loss milestone |
| 5 to 7 | First baby teeth, usually the lower central incisors |
| 6 to 8 | Upper central and lateral incisors |
| 7 to 8 | Remaining lateral incisors |
| 9 to 11 | First molars and lower canines |
| 10 to 12 | Upper canines and second molars |
What Age Do Kids Lose Each Baby Tooth?
Ages 5 to 7: The First Baby Teeth
This is when most kids lose their lower central incisors. You might first notice the tooth wiggling a bit during meals or brushing. Some children start this stage as early as 5, and that falls within a normal range.
Ages 7 to 8: More Front Teeth
The upper central incisors and the lateral incisors on both the top and bottom usually come out during this window. This is often when the mix of small baby teeth and larger new permanent teeth becomes noticeable.
Ages 9 to 11: Canines and Molars
Around this age, the first primary molars and the lower canines typically loosen and fall out. There is often a bit of a gap in time between losing the front teeth and reaching this stage.
Ages 10 to 12: Later Baby Teeth
The upper canines and the second primary molars are usually among the last baby teeth to go. By the end of this stage, most kids have lost all 20 of their baby teeth, though the exact timing still varies from child to child.
Is It Normal for a 4-Year-Old to Lose a Tooth?
Losing a tooth at age 4 is earlier than the commonly expected window for a first tooth. It does not automatically mean something is wrong, but it is worth a closer look.
A tooth lost this early sometimes has a clear cause, such as an injury or a cavity that led to the tooth coming out sooner than it otherwise would have. In other cases, it may simply reflect early development. The cause matters more than the age alone, and it is not something to guess at from home.
If your child loses a tooth unexpectedly at this age, it is worth having a pediatric dentist take a look to understand what happened and whether anything needs monitoring.
Is Age 5 Too Early to Lose a Baby Tooth?
Age 5 sits toward the early side of the typical range, but it is not unusual. Some children begin losing their first tooth right around this age as part of normal development.
What matters most is the reason behind it. A tooth that loosens naturally because the permanent tooth underneath is ready is a very different situation than one lost to decay or an injury. A dentist can look at the tooth and the surrounding gum tissue to confirm everything is progressing the way it should.
Try not to assume there is a problem just because your child is on the younger side. Plenty of 5 year olds lose their first tooth right on schedule, and their dental floss and brushing routine can stay the same through this stage.
What If My Child Hasn’t Lost a Tooth by Age 7?
This is common enough that it usually is not a reason to worry. Development varies quite a bit between children, and reaching age 7 without a loose tooth does not automatically point to an issue.
That said, if you are concerned, a pediatric dental evaluation can offer real peace of mind. A dentist can check how the permanent teeth are developing underneath the gums and confirm that things are progressing normally. Other signs, like a permanent tooth appearing behind a baby tooth that has not yet loosened, are also worth mentioning at a visit.
What Are the Signs That a Baby Tooth Is Ready to Fall Out?
A few signs usually show up before a tooth actually comes out.
- The tooth becomes noticeably looser over time
- Your child can gently wiggle it with their tongue or a clean finger
- The permanent tooth may already be visible developing underneath
- Mild tenderness can happen, especially while eating
- A small amount of bleeding is normal once the tooth finally comes out
Keep in mind that severe pain or swelling is not a normal part of losing a tooth. If your child is dealing with more than mild toothache or discomfort, it is worth a call to your dentist rather than assuming it will pass on its own.
What Should Parents Do When a Baby Tooth Becomes Loose?
There is not much you need to do beyond staying supportive and keeping up good habits.
- Keep brushing as usual, being a bit gentle around the loose tooth
- Let your child wiggle it naturally with clean fingers or their tongue
- Avoid pulling it forcefully, even if it looks ready
- Follow your child’s comfort level rather than pushing them to speed things up
- Expect a small amount of bleeding once the tooth actually comes out
- Reach out to your dentist if you notice significant pain, swelling, an injury, or anything else that feels off
Most of the time, this stage resolves on its own with very little intervention needed from you.
What Happens After a Baby Tooth Falls Out?
Once the tooth is out, the permanent tooth underneath keeps developing and gradually works its way up toward the gum line. The gum where the baby tooth used to be may feel a little tender for a day or two, which is normal.
The permanent tooth will not always appear right away. It can take weeks or even months to fully emerge, depending on the tooth. In the meantime, your child’s bite and the overall alignment of their teeth will keep shifting a bit as this transition continues. Keep up with regular brushing and flossing during this stretch, since new teeth need just as much care as the ones they replace, and regular dental cleanings help catch any issues early.
Which Teeth Fall Out and Which Teeth Don’t?
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, are meant to fall out and be replaced. Permanent teeth are not supposed to fall out as part of this natural process.
One detail that surprises a lot of parents is that the first permanent molars do not actually replace any baby tooth. They erupt into open space behind the primary molars, usually around age 6 or 7, without any baby tooth needing to come out first. Because there is no obvious “replacement” moment, parents sometimes mistake these for temporary teeth, but they are permanent from the start and need the same careful brushing as any other adult tooth, along with regular preventive dentistry visits to keep them healthy.
When Do Kids Lose Their Molars?
Baby molars come out later than the front teeth. The first primary molars typically loosen and fall out somewhere between ages 9 and 11, while the second primary molars usually follow between ages 10 and 12.
It helps to know that baby molars are not directly replaced by permanent molars. Instead, they are replaced by teeth called premolars, sometimes referred to as bicuspids. The permanent molars that come in during this time frame are separate teeth that erupt further back, filling in new space rather than taking over the exact spot of a baby tooth.
When Do Kids Stop Losing Baby Teeth?
Most children finish losing all 20 of their baby teeth sometime in the later elementary years through the early teen years, often by around age 12 or 13. As with everything else in this timeline, the exact age varies from child to child.
The last baby teeth to go are typically the canines and the second molars. Once these are gone, your child has their full set of permanent teeth, though those teeth will keep settling into position for a while as the jaw continues to grow.
Not every irregularity means something is wrong, and an orthodontic evaluation can help you understand whether your child’s bite and tooth alignment are on track as more permanent teeth come in.
When Should You Call a Pediatric Dentist?
A tooth loss timeline is meant to be a general guide, not a strict schedule. That said, a few situations are worth a call to your dentist.
- No loose teeth by around age 7 and you feel concerned
- Tooth loss that seems very early, especially before age 4
- Severe pain that does not fit with normal tooth loss
- Noticeable swelling
- A tooth that becomes loose from an injury or fall
- A permanent tooth appearing behind a baby tooth that has not loosened
- A baby tooth still in place well after the permanent tooth has already started coming in
- Any other change in your child’s teeth that concerns you
Your pediatric dentist can take a closer look, sometimes with the help of dental x-rays, to see exactly what is happening beneath the gums and whether anything needs attention. Routine dental exams and cleanings also give your dentist a natural chance to track your child’s tooth loss over time.
Concerned About Your Child’s Tooth Loss Timeline? Talk to Dental Faith
If your child’s tooth loss seems early, delayed, painful, or just different from what you expected, the team at Dental Faith can take a closer look. We serve families throughout Nashville and welcome new patients of every age, which is part of why so many families choose us as their family dentist in Nashville.
If your child lost a tooth from an injury or is dealing with sudden pain, our dental emergency services are ready to help right away. When decay is behind an early tooth loss, we can treat the cavity causing the problem, and if a tooth extraction is needed, our team keeps the experience calm and comfortable for young patients. In cases where a tooth is lost earlier than expected, we can also talk through whether a dental spacer or space maintainer makes sense to protect the space for the permanent tooth.
Schedule a pediatric dental evaluation with Dental Faith to discuss your child’s developing teeth and eruption pattern, whether it is their first loose tooth or a question about their overall timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kids Losing Baby Teeth
When do kids lose their first tooth?
Most kids lose their first baby tooth around age 6, though anywhere from about 5 to 7 is a commonly expected range.
What is the latest age a child should lose their first tooth?
There is no exact cutoff, but if your child has no loose teeth by around age 7 or 8, a dental evaluation can offer peace of mind.
Is it normal for a 4-year-old to lose a tooth?
It is earlier than typical and worth having checked, since it could relate to an injury, decay, or simply early development.
Is age 5 too early to lose baby teeth?
Not necessarily. Age 5 is on the early side of the normal range, and many children start right around this age.
Which teeth fall out first?
The lower central incisors, the two front teeth at the bottom, usually fall out first, followed by the upper central incisors.
Which teeth fall out at age 7?
Around age 7, many kids are losing their upper central incisors and lateral incisors, in addition to finishing up with the lower front teeth.
Which teeth fall out at age 10?
Around age 10, many children are losing their first primary molars and lower canines.
Which teeth fall out at age 12?
By age 12, most kids are finishing up with their upper canines and second primary molars, which are usually among the last baby teeth to go.
When do kids lose their molars?
Baby molars typically fall out between ages 9 and 12, with the first molars usually going first and the second molars following later in that range.
Which teeth fall out and which teeth don’t?
Baby teeth are meant to fall out and be replaced by permanent teeth. Permanent teeth, once they erupt, are not supposed to fall out under normal development.
When do kids stop losing baby teeth?
Most children have lost all their baby teeth by around age 12 or 13, though the exact timing varies by child.
What should I do if my child’s baby tooth becomes loose?
Let it loosen naturally, encourage gentle wiggling rather than pulling, keep up regular brushing, and contact your dentist if there is significant pain, swelling, or an injury involved.