When Do Kids Lose Their Teeth?
What Are Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, milk teeth, or deciduous teeth, are the first set of teeth that babies get. They start forming early in pregnancy, around five to six weeks after conception, and usually begin coming through the gums when a baby is about six months old.
Most children get a total of 20 baby teeth, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom, by the time they are two to three years old. These teeth help children chew food, learn to speak, and keep the right amount of space in the jaw for their adult teeth to come in later.
Average Age to Lose First Baby Tooth
Most children lose their first baby tooth around the age of five or six. However, it’s also normal for some kids to lose their first tooth as early as age four or as late as age seven. The bottom front teeth, called the lower central incisors, are usually the first to fall out, followed by the top front teeth. This marks the beginning of the natural process of baby teeth making way for permanent adult teeth.
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Order in Which Kids Lose Their Teeth
Children usually lose their baby teeth in a certain order, starting with the front teeth and moving toward the back. This pattern helps the adult teeth grow in the right place with enough space to come in properly. Here’s the usual order in which baby teeth fall out, along with the common age range for each:
- Lower and Upper Central Incisors (Front Teeth): These are the first baby teeth to fall out, usually between the ages of six and seven.
- Lateral Incisors (The Teeth Next to the Front Teeth): These are typically lost next, around ages seven to eight.
- First Molars (The First Set of Big Back Teeth): These teeth usually fall out between the ages of 9 and 11.
- Canines (Also Called Cuspids): These pointy teeth are usually lost between the ages of 9 and 12. The lower canines often come out a bit earlier than the upper ones.
- Second Molars (The Back Baby Teeth): These are usually the last to fall out, between the ages of 10 and 12.
Variations and When to See a Dentist
Losing teeth too early (before age 4 or 5) might be due to injury, tooth decay, or health issues. In such cases, it’s a good idea to visit a dentist. Early tooth loss can cause problems with how the adult teeth grow in, including spacing or alignment issues.
If a child hasn’t lost any baby teeth by age seven, or several baby teeth are delayed in falling out, this could point to a problem. It may mean that adult teeth aren’t growing properly or that baby teeth are not falling out as they should, which can affect the way the teeth line up.
Sometimes baby teeth stay in place even when the adult teeth are trying to come in. This can lead to crowding, crooked teeth, or bite problems. If this happens, a dentist may suggest removing the baby teeth to make room for the adult ones and avoid future issues like braces.
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Wrapping Up
Children lose their baby teeth at their own pace, and that jack-o’-lantern smile is just part of the journey. However, knowing when kids lose their teeth will help you make this phase easier for your child. You can also teach them to maintain good oral hygiene.
For any pediatric dental issues, visit our board-certified pediatric dentist, Dr. Jasmine Ghanem, at LuxDen Kids. Call us at (347) 391-0744 to book an appointment.