Even though it feels like they just started teething yesterday, your child will lose their first tooth before you know it.
Losing baby teeth can be scary for both your child and you as the parent, but knowing what to expect makes the process easier. When do kids lose their first tooth? It’s important to know so you can prepare for a visit from the Tooth Fairy.
Each child’s dental development is a little bit different, but you can expect baby teeth to fall out and permanent teeth to grow in while following the general stages.
When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth?
Once your child has all their baby teeth in, you may start to wonder, “What age do kids lose teeth?” Children typically begin losing their baby teeth around age 6 or 71. If your child’s baby teeth came in early, they may begin losing teeth earlier, too2. Losing teeth at age 4 or 5 typically isn’t cause for concern. And on the other end of things, a child turning 7 or 8 without losing a single baby tooth is also possible3.
You can check with a trusted family dentist if you’re worried about how your child’s dental development is progressing. Make an appointment if your child loses a tooth before age 4, as this could be a sign of decay or injury rather than a permanent tooth growing in. It may be nothing to worry about, but your dentist can check just to be sure.
It usually takes years for all your child’s baby teeth to fall out and their permanent teeth to grow in. The baby teeth typically start getting loose as the permanent tooth pushes through the gums to take its place. By around age 12 or 13, children have usually lost all their baby teeth and have had all their permanent teeth grow in1.
Which Teeth Fall Out First?
Baby teeth typically fall out in the order they came in4. Here’s the typical pattern2:
- Central incisors (top and bottom two front teeth): Around age 6 or 7
- Lateral incisors (teeth next to the two front teeth): Around age 7 or 8
- Lower canines (bottom pointed teeth): Around age 9 or 10
- First molars (closest to the canines): Around age 10 or 11
- Upper canines (top pointed teeth) and second molars (near the back of the mouth): Around age 11 or 12
There’s no strict order of baby teeth falling out, though, so don’t worry if your child’s dental development doesn’t follow this path exactly. The important thing is to make sure teeth are only falling out because the permanent teeth are growing in. Keep an eye out for signs of damage or decay that could cause the baby teeth to fall out prematurely.
What's Normal vs. What's Not
Normally, children begin losing baby teeth around age 6 and continue losing teeth until all of their permanent teeth grow in by around age 12. If your child loses a tooth early, it may be that they’re simply ahead of the curve. It’s also possible, though, that the tooth fell out due to an injury to the mouth, like from a fall5. Talk to your family dentist if you suspect that’s the case or have any concerns2.
Losing teeth can be a bit uncomfortable for your child, but it shouldn’t be overly painful. Excessive pain or bleeding is a sign of a problem worth bringing to your dentist’s attention.
How to Handle a Loose Tooth
Your child will probably notice that something’s different about their first loose tooth before you see that it’s not secure anymore. They may tell you that the tooth feels sore or that they can feel it moving a little. It’s an exciting milestone!
Reassure your child that it’s normal for their teeth to get loose and start to fall out. They can safely wiggle the loose tooth with their tongue or a clean finger, but tell them not to try to pull it out. The tooth may even fall out without them realizing it while they play or eat hard foods2.
Make sure your child keeps up their good dental hygiene habits, too. Baby teeth fall out, but it’s still essential to take care of them. Remind your kid to brush their teeth twice every day and floss daily. Since your child’s loose tooth can be sensitive, they may want to be extra gentle near that area.
Before you can blink, the first loose tooth will lead to more, and soon your child will have a brilliant, full smile of adult teeth. Ready to make dental visits easy for your little one? Book your child's first appointment at Beam Dental—we make kids feel right at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a 5-year-old to lose teeth?
While children typically start losing baby teeth around age 6, it’s still within a normal range for a 5-year-old to lose teeth. Children whose baby teeth grow in early may also lose their baby teeth before other children.
Generally, it’s worth consulting your family dentist if your child begins losing teeth before age 4. That’s fairly unusual, so your dentist will check to make sure there are no underlying concerns causing your child’s teeth to fall out early.
What if my child's tooth falls out too early?
If your child loses teeth too early, it can cause the remaining baby teeth to shift. The incoming permanent teeth may be crowded out. That’s why it’s important to visit your family dentist if your child loses teeth before age 4 or due to injury or decay. Your dentist can check for damage and possibly use a space maintainer to keep a gap open for the incoming permanent tooth.
Should I pull a loose tooth or let it fall out naturally?
Generally, you should let baby teeth fall out on their own. It’s normal for children to wiggle loose teeth, and that may make them fall out. Avoid forcing out loose teeth before they’re ready, though. Pulling on the teeth can cause pain, bleeding, and even damage to the gum tissue.
Sources:
- (2 August 2024). At what age do children start losing their baby teeth? Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 25, 2026, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/expert-answers/baby-teeth/faq-20058532
- (12 February 2026). When Do Kids Start Losing Their Teeth? Cleveland Clinic. March 25, 2026, from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/when-do-kids-start-losing-teeth
- Ding, K. Losing baby teeth: What to expect and when. Babycenter. March 25, 2026, from https://www.babycenter.com/health/teething-and-tooth-care/losing-baby-teeth-what-to-expect-and-when_3658971
- Smith-Garcia, D. (31 March 2020). When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out and Adult Teeth Come In? Healthline. March 25, 2026, from https://www.healthline.com/health/childrens-health/baby-teeth-fall-out
- Chappell, T. (25 March 2020). When do kids start losing teeth? Today’s Parent. March 25, 2026, from https://www.todaysparent.com/kids/baby-teeth-when-do-kids-start-losing-them/
