When Do Kids Lose Baby Teeth? A Timeline for Toronto Parents
Your child wiggles a front tooth at dinner and suddenly you have questions. Is this too early? Too late? Is that much blood normal?
Most kids lose their first baby tooth around age 6 and lose the last one around age 12. A year or two either way is usually nothing to worry about.
Baby Tooth Loss Timeline by Age
Baby teeth usually fall out in roughly the same order they came in. The bottom front teeth go first. Here is what most Toronto and GTA families can expect.
Tooth | Typical age it falls out |
Bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) | 6 to 7 |
Top front teeth (upper central incisors) | 6 to 8 |
Teeth beside the front teeth (lateral incisors) | 7 to 9 |
First molars | 9 to 11 |
Pointed teeth (canines) | 9 to 12 |
Back baby molars (second molars) | 10 to 12 |
Children have 20 baby teeth. They are replaced by 28 adult teeth, and four more (the wisdom teeth) can show up in the late teens or twenties.
What Is Normal While Teeth Come Out
A tooth can feel loose for several weeks before it falls out.
A little bleeding is normal. It usually stops within a few minutes.
Some children get a second row of teeth for a while, often called shark teeth. The adult tooth comes in behind the baby tooth before it falls out. This is common on the bottom front teeth, and the baby tooth usually loosens within a couple of months.
The order can vary. A child who loses a tooth a little early or late is rarely a problem.
Should You Pull a Loose Tooth?
In most cases, let it come out on its own. Encourage your child to wiggle it with clean fingers or their tongue. If it is hanging by a thread and bothering them, a clean piece of gauze gives a better grip for a quick twist.
Do not force a tooth that is still firmly attached. The root can snap, which hurts and can leave a fragment behind. If the tooth falls out and bleeds, have your child bite on clean gauze for about 10 minutes.
When to Call the Dentist
Most tooth loss needs no treatment at all. Book a visit if you notice any of these:
Your child is 7 or older and has not lost a single tooth.
An adult tooth has not appeared about six months after the baby tooth fell out.
A baby tooth is still firm while the adult tooth is clearly coming in beside it, and it has not loosened after a couple of months.
A baby tooth was lost very early because of decay or injury. Early loss can let neighbouring teeth drift and crowd the space. Our post on whether baby teeth need fillings explains why treating decay early matters.
There is swelling, a pimple-like bump on the gum, a fever, or pain that does not settle.
Your child has a tooth knocked out in a fall or at sports. A baby tooth should not be put back in, but an adult tooth is an emergency. Read what to do when a tooth gets knocked out and call us right away.
Crowding is also something we watch for as the adult teeth arrive. If you are wondering about braces, see when kids should start orthodontic treatment.
Caring for New Adult Teeth
New adult teeth are softer than they will be in a few years, so the first years matter most for cavity prevention.
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, and help younger children brush until they can tie their own shoelaces.
Floss any teeth that touch.
Ask about sealants on the new back molars, which usually come in around age 6 and 12.
Use a mouthguard for hockey, soccer, and other contact sports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the youngest age a child can lose a baby tooth?
Some children lose a bottom front tooth at 5, which is fine. A tooth lost before age 4 without an injury is uncommon, so have it checked.
Do baby teeth fall out in a set order?
Usually the bottom front teeth go first, then the top front teeth, then the teeth beside them, followed by the first molars, canines, and back molars. The exact order varies from child to child.
Is it normal for a child to have two rows of teeth?
Yes, it is quite common on the lower front teeth. If the baby tooth has not loosened after a couple of months, we can check it and remove it if needed.
Should I be concerned if my child is late losing teeth?
Not at first. If your child is 7 and still has no loose teeth, or an adult tooth has not come in six months after a baby tooth fell out, a quick exam and X-ray will show what is going on.
Questions about your child's changing smile? Schedule an appointment with Lornview Dental.
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