When Do Kids Start Losing Baby Teeth? A Parent's Timeline
Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6 and finish around age 12, though every child is a little different. The two bottom front teeth usually wiggle loose first, followed by the top front teeth, and the rest fall out over the next several years.
Dr. Kyle Lesko
Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6 and finish around age 12, though every child is a little different. The two bottom front teeth usually wiggle loose first, followed by the top front teeth, and the rest fall out over the next several years as the permanent teeth move in to take their place.
If your child is at the age where teeth are starting to wiggle, it is natural to wonder what is normal and when to pay closer attention. Below, we walk through the usual timeline, the order teeth tend to fall out, what to do with a loose tooth, and the signs worth a closer look. Dr. Kyle Lesko helps families across Leduc and the greater Edmonton area through these milestone years with calm, practical guidance.
When do kids start losing baby teeth?
Most kids start losing baby teeth around age 6, and the process usually wraps up by about age 12. Some children begin as early as 4 or 5, while others do not lose their first tooth until 7. All of these are within the normal range, so try not to compare your child too closely to friends or siblings.
The timing often follows the same pattern as when the baby teeth first came in. Children who teethed early tend to lose teeth on the earlier side, and later teethers often lose them a bit later too. What matters more than the exact age is steady, gradual progress over the years, with permanent teeth arriving to fill the gaps.
The usual milestones to expect
Every child moves through this at their own pace, but a rough roadmap can help you know what is coming. These are general milestones, not strict deadlines.
Around age 6 to 7, the lower and upper front teeth usually loosen and fall out first
Around age 7 to 8, the teeth on either side of the front teeth follow
Around age 9 to 11, the first molars and the pointed canine teeth begin to go
Around age 10 to 12, the second molars are typically the last baby teeth to fall out
What order do baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth usually fall out in roughly the same order they came in, working from the front of the mouth outward. The two lower front teeth, called the central incisors, tend to go first, followed by the two upper front teeth. After that, the teeth on either side loosen, and the molars and canines toward the back come out over the next few years.
This front-to-back pattern is the most common, but it is not a rule set in stone. Some children lose an upper tooth before a lower one, or a side tooth slightly out of sequence, and that is usually nothing to worry about. As long as teeth are coming out and permanent teeth are filling in, the order itself matters less than you might think.
One thing that often surprises parents is that the first permanent molars arrive at the very back around age 6 without any baby tooth falling out first. These come in behind the existing baby teeth, so your child gains new teeth even before the wiggling begins up front.
What should you do when a tooth is loose?
The simplest approach is usually the best one. Let a loose tooth come out on its own, and resist the urge to force or pull it before it is ready. Gentle wiggling with clean fingers or the tongue is perfectly fine and can help nature along, but a tooth should never be yanked out while it still feels firmly attached.
Forcing a tooth too early can hurt, cause bleeding, or leave a piece of root behind, so patience really is the gentlest path. Most loose teeth fall out within a few weeks of starting to wiggle, often during eating or brushing without your child even noticing. A small amount of blood when the tooth finally drops out is normal and settles quickly with a clean gauze or cloth.
Helping your child through a wobbly tooth
A loose tooth can feel exciting or slightly nerve-wracking for a child, and a calm parent makes all the difference. A few small habits keep the experience easy and comfortable.
Encourage gentle wiggling with clean hands rather than forcing the tooth
Offer softer foods if chewing on that side feels uncomfortable
Keep brushing gently around the loose tooth and the new one coming in
Reassure your child that a little wiggle and a tiny bit of blood are normal
Press clean gauze on the spot for a minute if it bleeds after the tooth comes out
If your child is feeling anxious about the whole idea, framing it as a normal part of growing up tends to help. Many kids feel proud once that first tooth is out and the new one starts to show.
Is it normal for baby teeth to fall out early or late?
A range of timing is completely normal, and most variation is nothing to worry about. Losing a first tooth anywhere from age 4 to 7 falls within the healthy range, and finishing closer to 12 or 13 is common too. Genetics play a big role, so children often follow a similar timeline to their parents.
That said, there are two situations worth a closer look. A baby tooth lost very early, often from a fall or from decay, can sometimes affect how the nearby teeth space out, because that tooth was helping hold room for the permanent one. On the other end, a baby tooth that stays firmly in place well past the usual age, or a permanent tooth that seems delayed, is also worth mentioning at a checkup.
In our experience, the most reassuring thing parents can do is keep up with regular dental visits during these years. That way, someone is keeping an eye on the bigger picture, and you have a place to bring questions as they come up. Our overview of children's dentistry in Leduc explains how we support families through this stage.
When should a baby tooth be checked by a dentist?
Most of the time, losing baby teeth needs no special intervention, but a few signs are worth a dentist's attention. It is wise to book a visit if a tooth is knocked loose by an injury, if a tooth is lost much earlier than expected, or if a permanent tooth comes in behind a baby tooth that will not budge. These situations can affect spacing and are easier to manage early.
A baby tooth lost too soon is the one parents most often miss. When a tooth comes out years ahead of schedule, the neighbouring teeth can drift into the empty space, leaving less room for the permanent tooth waiting underneath. A dentist can check whether a small spacer is helpful to hold that space until the adult tooth is ready.
Signs worth booking a visit for
You know your child best, and trusting your instincts is reasonable. A few specific situations are worth a professional look.
A baby tooth knocked loose or out by a fall or sports injury
A tooth lost much earlier than the usual age range
A permanent tooth coming in behind or beside a baby tooth that has not loosened
Pain, swelling, or signs of decay around a wobbly tooth
A baby tooth that stays firmly in place long past when you would expect it to go
Caring for your child's smile during these years
The mixed-dentition years, when baby teeth and permanent teeth share the mouth, are a great time to build strong habits. Permanent teeth are precious because they have to last a lifetime, so steady brushing twice a day, daily flossing, and the right amount of fluoride matter more than ever during this stretch. New molars at the back are especially worth keeping clean, since they can be tricky for little hands to reach.
Regular checkups stay important through these years too. Routine visits let us watch how the permanent teeth are coming in, catch any spacing concerns early, and keep small problems from growing. If your child is younger and you are just getting started, our guide to your child's first dental visit walks you through what to expect.
Above all, keep the tone positive at home. Children who feel relaxed about their teeth and their dental visits tend to carry that calm into adulthood, and the wiggly-tooth years are a wonderful chance to make dental care feel like a normal, easy part of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do kids start losing baby teeth?
Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6 and finish around age 12, though some begin as early as 4 or 5 and others not until 7. The two lower front teeth usually wiggle loose first. Steady, gradual progress matters more than the exact age your child starts.
What order do baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth usually fall out in the order they came in, working from front to back. The lower front teeth go first, then the upper front teeth, then the side teeth, and finally the canines and back molars. Some children vary slightly from this pattern, which is usually nothing to worry about.
Should I pull my child's loose tooth?
It is best to let a loose tooth come out on its own rather than forcing it. Gentle wiggling with clean fingers or the tongue is fine, but a tooth should never be yanked while it still feels firm. Most loose teeth fall out naturally within a few weeks of starting to wiggle.
Is it normal for a baby tooth to fall out early?
A range of timing is normal, but a baby tooth lost very early, often from injury or decay, is worth a dentist's look. Losing a tooth years ahead of schedule can affect spacing for the permanent tooth underneath. A dentist can check whether a small spacer would help hold that room.
Talk it through with Dr. Kyle Lesko in Leduc
If you have questions about your child's wiggly teeth or you simply want a friendly checkup during these years, the team at TLC Family Dental Centre in Leduc is here to help. Book a visit online or call us at 780.980.5115, and Dr. Kyle Lesko will take a look and walk you through what is normal for your child. You will find our office at 5209 Discovery Way #4 in Leduc, and we welcome families from Leduc and across the greater Edmonton area.
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