Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6, usually beginning with the lower front teeth, and the process continues until about age 12 or 13. Losing the first tooth anywhere between ages 4 and 7 is considered normal, and a slightly early or late start is rarely a cause for concern. If you are unsure whether your child is on track, a visit to a children’s dentistry team can confirm that adult teeth are developing as they should.
Wiggly teeth are an exciting milestone for kids and sometimes a worrying one for parents. Questions about timing, bleeding, crooked adult teeth or a baby tooth that will not budge are some of the most common topics we discuss with families at Columbus Dental Centre in Woodbridge. Every child follows a slightly different schedule, and genetics plays a big role.
Occasionally, a baby tooth stays put even after the adult tooth has come in behind it. In these cases, a quick and gentle removal may be recommended, and our painless oral surgery and extraction approach is designed to keep young patients calm and comfortable.
Families covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan are welcome at our clinic, and it is easy to schedule a children’s checkup through our online booking system. Below is a complete guide to what is normal, what is not, and how to support your child through this stage.
What Are Baby Teeth and Why Do They Matter?
Baby teeth, also called primary or deciduous teeth, are the first set of 20 teeth that start appearing around six months of age. Although they are temporary, they have important jobs. They help children chew properly for good nutrition, support clear speech development, give the face its normal shape, and most importantly, hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing underneath.
When a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or injury, neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap. This can block the adult tooth from erupting in the right position and may lead to crowding later. That is why caring for baby teeth matters even though they will eventually fall out.
How Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?
As a permanent tooth grows, it presses against the roots of the baby tooth above or below it. This pressure triggers a natural process called root resorption, where the baby tooth’s roots slowly dissolve. Once enough of the root is gone, the tooth becomes loose and eventually falls out, often with very little bleeding. The adult tooth then continues to erupt into the space.
Typical Order and Timeline for Losing Baby Teeth
| Tooth | Usually Lost Around |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors (bottom front) | 6 to 7 years |
| Upper central incisors (top front) | 6 to 8 years |
| Lateral incisors (beside front teeth) | 7 to 8 years |
| First molars | 9 to 11 years |
| Canines (eye teeth) | 9 to 12 years |
| Second molars | 10 to 12 years |
Teeth tend to be lost in roughly the same order they came in. Girls often lose teeth slightly earlier than boys. Meanwhile, the first permanent molars usually erupt behind the baby teeth around age 6 without replacing anything, so they are often mistaken for baby teeth.
Is It Normal to Lose Baby Teeth Early or Late?
Early Tooth Loss
Losing a first tooth at age 4 or 5 can be normal, especially if your child’s teeth came in early. However, tooth loss before age 4 is uncommon and should be checked. Possible causes include trauma, decay, gum problems or, rarely, an underlying medical condition.
Late Tooth Loss
Some children do not lose their first tooth until age 7 or 8, which is usually still within the normal range, particularly if their baby teeth came in late. If no teeth are loose by age 8, an X-ray can confirm whether adult teeth are present and developing. Occasionally, an adult tooth is missing from birth, a condition called congenital absence.
Signs Your Child Should See a Dentist
- An adult tooth is coming in behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out (“shark teeth”)
- A baby tooth was knocked out or loosened by an injury
- Swelling, pus or pain around a loose tooth
- A baby tooth has turned grey, brown or black
- No loose teeth by age 8
- Bleeding that does not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of gentle pressure
- Adult teeth coming in severely crooked or crowded
What Are “Shark Teeth” and Do They Need Treatment?
“Shark teeth” is the common name for adult teeth that erupt behind baby teeth, creating a double row. This happens most often with the lower front teeth. In many cases, the baby tooth loosens and falls out on its own within a few weeks, and the tongue gradually pushes the adult tooth forward into place.
If the baby tooth is still firm after two to three months, or if it is causing discomfort, your dentist may recommend removing it. This is usually a very quick procedure with local anesthetic.
How to Help a Loose Tooth Come Out: Step by Step
- Let nature lead. Encourage your child to wiggle the tooth gently with a clean finger or tongue.
- Avoid forcing it. Pulling a tooth too early can cause pain, bleeding and damage to the gum.
- Offer crunchy foods. Apples and carrots can help a very loose tooth come out naturally.
- Keep brushing. Clean gently around the loose tooth to prevent gum irritation.
- Once it falls out, have your child bite on clean gauze for a few minutes to stop any bleeding.
- Rinse gently with water, and avoid very hot or spicy foods for the rest of the day.
Caring for New Adult Teeth
New permanent teeth have immature enamel that is more vulnerable to cavities for the first few years. They also have deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of molars where food gets trapped. Helpful steps include:
- Brushing twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Supervising brushing until around age 8, when most children can brush well on their own
- Starting daily flossing once teeth touch
- Asking about dental sealants on permanent molars
- Limiting sugary snacks and drinks, especially between meals
- Wearing a mouthguard for sports
Common Myths About Baby Teeth
Myth: Cavities in baby teeth do not matter
Untreated decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection and early tooth loss, and infection can even affect the developing adult tooth beneath.
Myth: New adult teeth should look as white as baby teeth
Permanent teeth naturally look slightly more yellow than baby teeth because they have thicker dentin. The contrast is most noticeable when both are side by side.
Myth: Crooked adult teeth always need braces
Many front teeth straighten somewhat as the jaw grows and other teeth erupt. An orthodontic assessment around age 7 helps determine whether early treatment is helpful.
Myth: Ridges on new front teeth mean something is wrong
Small bumps on the edges of new incisors, called mamelons, are normal and usually wear down over time.
Real Family Scenarios
The double row at age six
A mother noticed her son’s lower adult teeth coming in behind two firm baby teeth. After a few weeks of wiggling with no change, the baby teeth were gently removed in a short visit. Within months, the adult teeth moved forward naturally.
The late bloomer
Parents of an eight-year-old girl worried because she had not lost any teeth. An X-ray showed all adult teeth were present and developing normally. She lost her first tooth a few months later.
The playground bump
A five-year-old knocked a front baby tooth loose in a fall. Because the tooth was pushed out of position, the dentist examined it the same day to protect the developing adult tooth.
Common Parent Mistakes
- Pulling a tooth that is only slightly loose
- Skipping checkups because “the teeth will fall out anyway”
- Letting children brush unsupervised too early
- Ignoring a discoloured baby tooth after an injury
- Offering juice or sweet drinks in a bottle or sippy cup throughout the day
Children’s Dental Care in Woodbridge
Columbus Dental Centre is a family dentist in Woodbridge located at Suite #201, 8333 Weston Rd, Woodbridge, Ontario. For more than 26 years, we have cared for children, parents and grandparents across Woodbridge and Vaughan. Parents searching for a dentist in Woodbridge who can make kids feel relaxed will find our team patient, friendly and focused on positive first experiences.
Our services include children dentistry, preventive care, fillings and restorations, painless oral surgery, root canal treatment, laser dentistry, smile design, removable dentures and fixed bridges, CEREC single-visit crowns and veneers, dental implants and teeth whitening, so the whole family can be seen in one place. We accept new patients and CDCP patients.
Extended hours help families fit visits around school, including Monday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call +1 647-931-1100 or email columbusdentalcentre@gmail.com, and our team will respond quickly.
Children’s dental care should always be provided by licensed professionals. Dentists in Ontario must be registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), which upholds standards for safe, age-appropriate treatment.
Disclaimer: Tooth loss timelines vary from child to child. This article is general guidance and not a substitute for a dental examination.
Losing Baby Teeth vs Knocked-Out Teeth: How to Respond
A tooth that falls out naturally and a tooth knocked out by an accident are very different situations, and the right response depends on whether the tooth is a baby tooth or an adult tooth.
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Loose baby tooth falls out on its own | Normal milestone; gauze for bleeding, no visit needed unless problems |
| Baby tooth knocked out by injury | Do not put it back in; call the dentist to check for damage |
| Adult tooth knocked out | Emergency: hold by the crown, rinse gently, store in milk and see a dentist within 30 to 60 minutes |
| Baby tooth pushed up into gum | Same-day assessment to protect the adult tooth below |
Replanting a knocked-out baby tooth is not recommended because it can damage the developing permanent tooth. A knocked-out adult tooth, on the other hand, has the best chance of survival if it is replanted quickly by a dental professional.
Supporting Your Child Emotionally
For many children, a loose tooth is exciting, but some feel anxious about pain or the sight of blood. A few simple approaches help:
- Explain that a loose tooth is a sign they are growing up and that the new tooth is already waiting underneath.
- Let them control the wiggling rather than pulling the tooth for them.
- Keep gauze nearby and stay calm if there is a little bleeding.
- Celebrate the milestone in a way that suits your family.
- Use positive language about dental visits, avoiding words like “hurt” or “needle.”
Children who have relaxed, positive early experiences are more likely to keep up healthy dental habits as teens and adults.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which baby tooth usually falls out first?
The lower front teeth, called the lower central incisors, are usually the first to fall out, typically around age 6.
Is it normal for a lost tooth to bleed?
A small amount of bleeding is normal. Have your child bite on clean gauze for a few minutes. Bleeding that continues beyond 20 minutes should be checked.
How long does it take for an adult tooth to come in after a baby tooth falls out?
Most adult teeth appear within a few weeks to a few months. Some take up to six months, which can still be normal.
Should I worry if my child swallowed a baby tooth?
No. A swallowed baby tooth is small and usually passes harmlessly. Call a doctor only if your child has trouble breathing or persistent coughing.
When should my child first see a dentist?
Children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing.
Conclusion
Most children lose their first baby tooth around age 6, and the process usually finishes by 12 or 13.
Small variations in timing are normal, but injuries, pain or double rows of teeth should be checked.
Regular checkups help make sure adult teeth arrive healthy and in the right place.
