It’s a big milestone for kids — and for parents too — when the first wobbly tooth appears. That moment means your child is entering a whole new baby teeth timeline, one filled with gaps, loose teeth, and eventually the tooth fairy age excitement. But that process doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a gradual sequence that spans years, with each tooth having its own schedule. Here’s a well-researched look at when children typically start to lose their primary teeth and how the transition to permanent teeth unfolds.
The Very First Loss: Around Age Six
Most kids begin to lose their baby teeth at about age six, but don’t expect a single “big day.” The first teeth to go are usually the lower central incisors — those two tiny front bottom teeth that came in early when they were infants. Around this age, the permanent teeth beneath start pushing up, dissolving the roots of the baby teeth until they loosen and fall out.
This stage often marks the start of the tooth fairy tradition for many families. Some children might lose a tooth at five, others not until seven — both are within the normal range. What’s key is the pattern rather than exact age.
Front Teeth Follow Next
Once the very first tooth has gone, the upper central incisors — the top front teeth — usually come out next, often between ages six and seven. These front teeth are typically the most noticeable and exciting for kids because they change the smile so dramatically.
After those central incisors, the lateral incisors — the teeth next to the front ones — tend to loosen around ages seven to eight. Again, variations are normal; some children breeze through this earlier, others take a little longer.
Middle Years: Molars and Canines
As your child settles into primary school, the next wave of baby teeth make their exit. Around ages nine to eleven, the first molars — the back teeth used for chewing — start to fall out, making room for the first set of permanent premolars. These molars often take longer to loosen because they’re larger and have more extensive roots to break down.
Around the same period, the canines or “eye teeth” — those pointy teeth on either side of the incisors — begin to fall out. This can stretch into ages nine through twelve. By this stage, your child’s mouth is a mixed world of baby and adult teeth.
Final Act: Second Molars
The last baby teeth to go are usually the second molars. These typically fall out between ages ten and twelve, and their departure marks the near-completion of the baby teeth phase. Once these are gone, permanent premolars and molars have taken the stage, and a more adult smile is in place.
For most children, once they’re about 12 or 13 years old, all 20 of their original baby teeth have been replaced by permanent ones (excluding later wisdom teeth that may emerge in late teens or early adulthood).
Why the Timeline Can Vary
It’s easy to stress when one child loses a front tooth at six and another youngster is still holding on at seven. But variation is normal. Genetics, nutrition, and individual differences in dental development all play a role. Some kids may begin shedding as early as four years, others may not start until seven or eight — and neither automatically signals a problem.
If baby teeth don’t fall out well past the typical ages, or adult teeth are not erupting behind them, it’s worth discussing with a dentist. Occasionally, intervention is needed to help permanent teeth come in correctly.
The Circus of Mixed Dentition
The years between about age six and twelve are often referred to by dentists as the “mixed dentition” stage — because both baby teeth and adult teeth are present at the same time. You might see children with gaps, crooked alignments, or “snaggletooth” periods that look messy but are actually normal transitional phases.
Encouraging good oral hygiene during this time is especially important, because baby teeth are still at risk of decay and permanent teeth are actively erupting and settling into place.
Tooth Fairy Traditions and Tooth Loss
While not a dental necessity, the idea of a tooth fairy age — usually tied to the start of tooth loss around age six — is a cultural way many families celebrate this transition. Traditions vary widely, from small tokens left under a pillow to keepsake boxes for baby teeth. The fun part? It helps children stay positive about a biological process that can be weird, wiggly, and a little unsettling for them at first.