When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth? Age, Signs, and Chart

Whether you are a new parent or a second parent, there are times when parents start questioning themselves when kids start losing teeth. This is the time to prepare yourself and your kid for the next journey of oral health. 

Now,  you might wonder when kids lose their first tooth. We are here to help. In this blog, we will help you learn when kids start losing baby teeth and how to cope in such a situation.

Additionally, you can get professional help and instructions at Palm Valley Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, where kids’ dentists are available.

Book an initial consultation about your kids’ baby teeth falling out today and get the needed knowledge.

Read: A Closer Look at 5 Disadvantages of Deep Teeth Cleaning

What is the Average Age To Lose the First Tooth?

The average age for the kids’ to lose teeth is between 4 and 7 years. However, most children lose their first tooth at age 5 or 6.

Initially, your kid will lose the first two bottom front teeth or two top front teeth, followed by the incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars.

Here, we share the timeline for when kids usually start losing teeth and experiencing delays.

6 to 7 years old:

This is the early age when your kid will lose the first baby teeth and is likely to be one of the lower central incisors commonly used for cutting, chewing, and chopping food items.

7 to 8 years old:

The next teeth falling out of the age bracket is 7 to 8 years, when they lose their upper and lower lateral incisors. Around this time, their permanent upper and lower incisors start losing their grip.

9 to 12 years old:

This is the age bracket when children lose their baby molars and second molars. The time varies for kids depending on several factors. At this age, most kids also lose their pointy canine teeth, known as cuspids.

12 to 13 years old:

At 12 to 13 years old, it’s still possible for the kids to lose some teeth. Mostly, at this time, their upper and lower molars are prone to fall out when second molars are also available to make an appearance.

It’s also possible for children to still lose some teeth as late as 12 or 13 years old.

There are chances that your kid may lose all their teeth till this age and start getting permanent teeth.

Signs of Losing Teeth

Losing teeth comes with several signs and symptoms that make this incident happen. Such signs include inflammation, pain, and a weird feeling of emptiness. 

Furthermore, the anxiety of losing a tooth also naturally kicks in simultaneously. So, if you notice any such signs, see your kid to a dentist to help them learn the whole process and make them understand how it works. 

How Many Baby Teeth Do Kids Lose?

Usually, a child has 20 primary teeth, which permanent teeth will eventually replace. Primary teeth begin to erupt around six months of age and continue to emerge until approximately age three.

By the time the child has lost all primary teeth, typically in their early teenage years, they will have 32 permanent teeth.

Which Tooth Will Fall Out First?

When do kids start losing their first teeth, and which tooth first comes out? Well, it varies in kids. Usually, the first tooth to become loose and fall out is one of the lower front teeth.

This happens because these lower front teeth come in first when your child is a baby. 

After the first lower front tooth, the second lower front tooth will likely loosen, and the upper front teeth will start falling out. Further, there are times when the upper front teeth might loosen before the lower ones, though this is less common. 

If your child loses their baby teeth in a different order than usual, it’s generally not something to worry about. Regular dental visits help the dentist track how the teeth are coming out and handle any issues that may arise.

Here, we also share when kids start losing teeth chart for your ease:

Teeth	Age
Central incisors	6-8 years
Lateral incisors	7-9 years
Canines	8-12 years
First premolars	9-11 years
Second premolars	10-12 years

Looking at the chart above, parents can easily guess when kids start losing teeth and which teeth fall out at age 10. Similarly, they can know which teeth to lose each year. 

Preparing for your child’s first loose tooth

Here comes the journey’s central part: preparing yourself and your kid for losing teeth. Parents must make kids understand that this is a natural and normal phenomenon that occurs in all kids their age. 

Parents must prepare themselves for the additional anxiety that will come from their kids. Further, they should plan what to give their child when they lose their first tooth and how to celebrate. 

Secondly, parents must try to keep the whole process smooth, which is easily possible by eliminating dental anxiety in kids and replacing it with some awards. 

Moreover, parents must decide whether to give up their baby’s teeth, grow permanent teeth, or become big kids. Once your kid learns all these things, it will be easier for you to pass this phase of teeth falling. 

For more instructions and dental guides, visit your kid’s dentist regularly. Ensure their dentist has all the information about their teeth falling journey and has the best plan to help your kid pass this phase quickly. 

FAQs

Is age five too early to lose teeth?

No, this is the average age when kids start losing their baby teeth. They start losing their first central incisors in the upper or lower gums. 

Can a four-year-old lose a tooth?

In rare cases, the kids lose their teeth at the age of 4 years. According to the dentist, four years old is not a common scenario as the average age starts from 5 years. 

What age is expected to lose teeth?

The average age of losing teeth is five years, which initiates the whole journey of 7 years, during which a kid loses all the baby teeth and starts erupting permanent teeth in replacement.