Isabella Cannon is a Corporate Communications intern for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. She currently attends Eastern Michigan University as a public relations and marketing student.
When Do Kids Start Losing Teeth?
3 min read
It might feel like just yesterday your child was teething and fussy as their baby teeth started coming in. According to the Cleveland Clinic, most kids will have 20 baby teeth by the time they’re 2 years old. Once the first tooth erupts, typically one new tooth will erupt per month after that.
It is helpful to know the typical timeline for baby teeth falling out and permanent teeth growing into help your kids navigate this transition. While losing teeth is generally quick and painless, there is value in teaching your kids about the process to avoid unnecessary anxiety around the experience.
At what age do kids lose teeth?
According to the Mayo Clinic, a child's baby teeth will start to loosen and fall out around age 6 or 7. The timeline of losing baby teeth happens differently for everyone, but most children have all their permanent teeth by age 12 or 13. Girls’ teeth tend to come in before boys, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Signs of losing teeth
While you may not know the exact time that your child will lose their baby teeth, warning signs include:
- Inflammation or pain around the gums.
- Avoidance of eating in certain areas of the mouth.
- Kids describe a tooth as feeling funny or uncomfortable.
Tips for after the first tooth falls out
You can calm nerves your kids may have by emphasizing the excitement of losing teeth as a part of growing up. After your kid losses their tooth, remember these recommendations from the Cleveland Clinic:
- If there’s bleeding, have them bite down on a piece of gauze.
- Avoid letting your child use straws, as suction can end up removing the blood clot that helps the area heal.
- Maintain your usual brushing routine.
- Have your child eat soft foods the first day or two after losing the first tooth.
What order do teeth fall out?
Every tooth comes in and out at a different time. According to the Mayo Clinic, the first baby teeth to fall out are most often the two bottom front teeth, called the lower central incisors. The two top front teeth, or upper central incisors, fall out next. The remaining teeth your child loses include:
- Lateral incisors
- First molars
- Canines
- Second molars
What if your kid doesn’t follow the general timeline?
For some kids, baby teeth begin falling out as early as 4 years old. Other children can start to lose teeth later than most kids. If this happens, there’s usually no reason for concern unless your child is losing most of their baby teeth early, if permanent teeth aren’t coming in at all or if they’re experiencing a great deal of pain, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If baby teeth don’t fall out on their own and permanent teeth run the risk of being impacted, professionals can extract baby teeth to allow the permanent ones to grow into place. Talk to your health care provider if you have any concerns about your children’s teeth developing properly.
Photo credit: Getty Images
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