Losing baby teeth is a milestone in your child’s life. It may seem like you were helping them through teething pains yesterday, but time flies fast, and now those baby teeth are on their way out.
Take a look below to find out:
- When do kids lose their first tooth
- What you can do when baby tooth loss happens
- What to do if tooth loss occurs early or late
- How to deal with a loose tooth
- How to promote excellent oral health in your little one so that their permanent teeth last
When do kids lose their first tooth?
Baby teeth (milk and primary teeth) usually begin to fall out between 5 and 7 years old.
The first baby tooth to go is usually one of the lower central incisors (bottom front teeth). Next are the lateral incisors, the first molars, the canines, and the second molars.
Usually, kids lose their baby teeth in the order they erupt, and a replacement adult tooth will follow all will.
Average age to lose a first tooth (central incisor)
The average age to lose a first tooth is between 5-7 years old.
The central incisors are the top and bottom of the teeth. These are usually the first to go. They are also usually the first to erupt.
Often, the bottom central incisors erupt and fall out first.
Average age to lose lateral incisor
7-8 years old
The lateral incisors tend to come out around 7-8 years old. These are located on either side of the central incisors.
Average to lose the first molar
9-11 years old
First molars usually fall out between 9-11 years old and are soon followed by an eruption of permanent first molars.
Permanent first molar is usually more painful than the front teeth because they are wider.
Average to lose canine
10-12 years old
Canines are the sharp teeth on the side of the lateral incisors and are responsible for tearing food, maintaining the shape of the lips, and forming speech.
Average age to lose the second molar
10-12 years old
Second molars are the widest teeth to erupt, so they usually cause the most pain.
Fortunately, they tend to erupt around 10-12 years of age, so kids know what’s going on and can take age-appropriate pain medication in case of excess discomfort.
How many baby teeth do you lose?
We lose all our baby teeth to make way for our permanent teeth. Twenty baby teeth fall out between early childhood (around six years old) and early adolescence.
All children grow and develop at their own pace, so some young teens still have a few baby teeth.
There are 32 permanent teeth (adult teeth) in total. These usually begin to erupt soon after the deciduous teeth fall out.
Since there are more permanent teeth than baby ones, permanent teeth may continue to erupt until around 13.
Again, children grow at different rates, so some will have 28 permanent teeth before they are 13, and some will reach 28 permanent later on.
In the late teens and early twenties, wisdom teeth emerge, bringing the total number of permanent teeth up to 32.
![When Do Kids Lose Their First Tooth](https://babyjoyjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/When-Do-Kids-Lose-Their-First-Tooth-4-min-267x400.jpg)
What to do about first tooth loss in children?
Losing baby teeth is an entirely natural process, so there’s not much you need to do to prepare or support your children.
Baby teeth don’t usually cause much pain when they fall out. You’ll probably need to offer more emotional support than physical support by reassuring them that baby tooth loss is normal and that they have more teeth waiting to grow.
If your little one experiences too much discomfort or pain around first tooth loss, you can help ease their discomfort with an ice pack and, if appropriate, anti-inflammatory medication. Always make sure that the medicine you give your child is age-appropriate.
There may be some bleeding when a tooth falls out, which can worry children, especially if it’s their first tooth loss or the first time they experience bleeding gums.
Encourage them to rinse their mouth with warm water to wash out the blood.
Many parents introduce the concept of the Tooth Fairy to help kids feel more at ease and even excited about tooth loss.
What to do with a loose baby tooth
A tooth may be loose for a while before it falls out. While it’s loose, your child will likely move it around and explore those sensations.
Encourage them to leave it alone as much as possible, but expect some natural curiosity around the sensation of a loose tooth.
If a tooth has been loose for a long time and won’t seem to come out, you may be tempted to help your little one by pulling it. It’s best to avoid pulling teeth.
If your little one doesn’t want you to intervene on their loose tooth, stay away from it.
If they want your help, you can check how to loosen it by pushing it with a clean finger. If it has not fallen out yet, it’s still rooted, and pulling it will cause much pain.
Trust that your child will gently push it with their tongue or fingers until it’s ready to fall out.
Causes of early tooth loss
Note that the ages mentioned earlier are averages. While most kids will lose their first tooth at around six years old, some lose it earlier and a lot later.
This is not usually a cause for concern. Each child develops at their own pace, which applies to their dental development and other physical and emotional development areas.
Usually, children whose baby teeth fall out early also experience early first tooth eruption.
Of course, there are some health concerns around abnormal early tooth loss. In some cases, tooth loss at a young age can indicate a health condition, such as:
- Papillon-Lefèvre Syndrome
- Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
- Dental trauma
- Tooth decay
Some children begin to lose their first teeth at around four years old. Earlier than average first tooth loss is not usually a cause for concern, but if a first tooth falls out too long before the second tooth is ready to emerge, other teeth can shift, leading to crowding.
Crowding can alter the shape of the jaw and make it harder for the new tooth to find space.
If a tooth falls out early and you can’t see any signs of the second tooth emerging, visit a pediatric dentist. They may advise that your little one uses space maintainers (spacers) while waiting for a permanent tooth to erupt.
Late tooth loss
It’s not unusual for the full set of baby teeth to stick around until 8 or 9 years old. Again, the average is 6 to 7, but the margin for normal dental development is vast here.
Remember that early or late tooth eruption usually means early or late tooth loss, so if it has taken your little one a while to start growing baby teeth, it may also take time before they start losing them.
Sometimes late tooth loss in children can indicate an underlying health issue, such as:
The above are extremely rare conditions detected before delayed tooth loss indicates them, so if your little one isn’t showing any other signs of the above, such a prognosis is unlikely.
Even though it’s normal for some kids to lose baby teeth late, losing them too late can cause permanent teeth to grow crooked, so some corrective measures may need to be taken to align teeth and maintain your child’s dental health.
![When Do Kids Lose Their First Tooth](https://babyjoyjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/When-Do-Kids-Lose-Their-First-Tooth-2-min-267x400.jpg)
How to promote good oral hygiene in children
It’s up to us to promote good oral hygiene in our kids.
Taking care of your child’s baby teeth is just as important as caring for their permanent teeth because healthy teeth promote healthy gums (and we only get one set of gums!).
Teaching our little ones good oral hygiene habits today will serve them well throughout their lives.
Below we’ve included some simple but effective tips to help you keep your kid’s teeth healthy and strong.
1. Start early
The earlier, the better when it comes to kids’ oral health.
You can start caring for the first baby tooth when you see it emerge.
Cleaning your baby’s gums and baby teeth with a damp cloth or toothbrush is a good start.
2. Use the right tools
Younger children prefer a smaller brush with softer bristles and only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste for a comfortable clean. Older kids can try different toothbrushes and see which type they prefer.
Flossing is vital to excellent oral health, so encourage flossing from a young age. Regular string floss may be awkward for your little one, so try floss picks or a water flosser instead.
3. Have fun
We can help our little ones enjoy caring for their teeth by making this a fun daily habit.
Use songs and games, and even tell stories at brushing time to make the process more enjoyable and encourage them to brush daily.
Make brushing even more fun with positive reinforcement, such as stickers or other rewards when you see twice-daily brushing.
4. Limit sugary foods
Sugary foods and drinks can lead to tooth decay, so keep these to a minimum.
Encourage water instead of soda as much as possible, and encourage healthy snacks such as fruits and vegetables over candy and other sugary snacks.
5. Lead by example
Parents can model excellent oral hygiene by demonstrating good habits themselves.
Brushing and flossing together with your little one will set a good example and more firmly establish the habit, keeping the whole family’s oral health in check.
6. Regular check-ups
Visit the dentist for regular check-ups. Children should have at least one dental appointment in their first year and around every six months after.
Conclusion
Kids start losing teeth at around six years old, but a year early or late is entirely normal.
By 12-13 years old, the average child’s permanent teeth have almost entirely grown in, followed a few years later by the four wisdom teeth.
We can help our little ones keep their teeth and gums healthy and happy by encouraging oral hygiene daily, such as brushing and flossing and keeping tooth-decay-causing food to a minimum.
If you have any concerns about your child’s teeth, don’t hesitate to contact a dentist for consultation and support. The information in this article is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional.
Pediatric dentists specialize in children’s dental health and can assess your little one’s development and needs with routine examinations.