Few childhood milestones are as exciting as that first wiggly tooth. But as a parent, you might wonder whether your child is losing teeth on schedule, or too early, or too late. Here is a friendly timeline of when baby teeth come and go, and what counts as normal.

How the timeline works

Most children get their full set of twenty baby teeth by around age three. Those teeth typically start falling out around age six, usually in the same order they came in, and the process continues until about age twelve, when most kids have their permanent teeth. As with everything in childhood, there is a wide range of normal.

The usual order

The bottom front teeth are usually first to loosen and fall out, followed by the top front teeth. Then come the teeth on either side, and the back molars generally are among the last to go. A permanent tooth is usually pushing up underneath, which is what loosens the baby tooth in the first place.

What is normal, and what is not

Losing teeth a year earlier or later than average is often fine, since kids develop at their own pace. It is worth checking with a dentist, though, if a baby tooth is lost very early due to decay or injury, if teeth seem very late to loosen, or if a permanent tooth comes in behind a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out.

Tips for loose teeth

• Let your child wiggle a loose tooth gently with a clean finger
• Do not force a tooth that is not ready; let it fall naturally
• Keep brushing gently around a loose tooth
• A little bleeding when a tooth falls out is normal

Frequently Asked Questions

When do children start losing baby teeth?

Usually around age six, beginning with the bottom front teeth, and continuing until about age twelve.

Should I pull a loose baby tooth?

It is best to let it fall out naturally. Gentle wiggling is fine, but forcing a tooth that is not ready can be painful and cause bleeding.

What if my child loses a baby tooth very early?

Early loss from decay or injury is worth a dental visit, since a baby tooth also holds space for the permanent tooth coming in.

If you have questions about your child's dental development or the timing of lost teeth, we are always happy to take a look at Litchfield Smiles and put your mind at ease.