When baby teeth fall out: order and timing
There are twenty baby teeth, and all of them change between roughly six and thirteen years of age. The order matters more than the exact dates: if teeth change in the right sequence, six months either way means nothing. But when the sequence is disturbed, that is worth an examination even if nothing is bothering the child.
The schedule, year by year
The change comes in waves, from the bottom up and from the centre outwards. Lower teeth usually run a few months ahead of upper ones.
5–7 years — lower central incisors. The first to go. Often at the same time the first permanent molar quietly erupts behind the last baby tooth. It replaces nothing and never wobbles, so its arrival frequently goes unnoticed.
6–8 years — upper central incisors. The same age as starting school, hence all the photographs with a gap at the front.
7–8 years — lateral incisors, lower first, then upper.
9–11 years — lower canines.
10–12 years — first molars and upper canines.
10–13 years — second molars, the last baby teeth. The change ends here.
12–13 years — second permanent molars erupt behind, again replacing nothing.
17–25 years — wisdom teeth, if they are present at all.
The arithmetic: 20 baby teeth are replaced by 20 permanent ones, plus 8–12 molars that grow with no predecessor.
What is normal and what is not
Normal, even if it looks alarming:
Six months either way. Children whose teeth erupted early as babies usually change them early too.
Gaps between the new teeth. Permanent teeth are larger than baby ones, and spacing at 6–8 years is a good sign: there is enough room. It is far more concerning when teeth already stand tightly together at this stage.
The permanent tooth looks yellower. It should: the enamel of permanent teeth is more translucent and the dentine shows through. This is not decay and needs no whitening.
A wavy edge on the new tooth. Those are cusps; they wear smooth within a year or two.
Worth an examination:
A disturbed order — canines changing before incisors, for instance.
A baby tooth that is not loose while the permanent one is already coming through.
A tooth gone and nothing appearing in its place for more than six months.
No tooth changed at all by the age of eight.
Pain in an area where nothing is loose.
A loose tooth: what to do and what not to
Best of all — nothing. A baby tooth is held by a root that gradually resorbs on its own. Once it has, the tooth comes out without effort. A child wiggling it with their tongue is normal and even helpful.
String tied to a door and similar methods are best avoided. Not because it is frightening, but because a tooth pulled before its time leaves a larger wound than necessary and sometimes fractures, leaving the root in the gum.
When a tooth does need help: it has hung by a thread for weeks and interferes with eating; the permanent tooth is visible and the baby one is in the way; the gum around it is inflamed. In those cases the dentist removes it in a minute, under anaesthetic gel, and children usually do not notice.
Afterwards: press gauze for ten minutes, avoid vigorous rinsing that day, leave hot and hard food until the evening. The bleeding stops quickly.
If the tooth was swallowed — nothing to worry about, it passes naturally. Seek help only if there is coughing or breathlessness: the tooth may have gone into the airway, and that needs attention immediately.
The most common parental worries
“The permanent tooth is growing behind the baby one, in a second row.” Very common, especially with lower incisors. Often the baby tooth falls out within a few weeks and the permanent one moves into place. But it is worth looking — there is a separate article on this.
“A tooth fell out very early, at four.” That is not the change but usually the result of decay or injury. The space needs holding, otherwise neighbouring teeth drift and the permanent tooth is left without room. Sometimes a space maintainer is fitted.
“The teeth changed but came in crooked.” Between six and nine, crooked incisors often straighten themselves once the canines erupt. But an orthodontic check before school is worth doing regardless: at this age some problems are solved without braces.
“Why treat decay in a baby tooth if it will fall out anyway?” If the change is more than a year away, it must be treated. Infection from a baby tooth reaches the permanent tooth bud, which then erupts with an enamel defect. And it hurts the child now. More in the article about decay in baby teeth.
What parents should do during these years
Check-ups every six months. During the change this matters especially: a freshly erupted permanent tooth has immature enamel and decays faster than an adult one.
Watch the first molars. They erupt at six, and parents often do not know about them because nothing wobbled. They are the teeth most affected by decay in children, precisely because they go unnoticed and are poorly brushed.
Brush together until seven or eight. A child physically lacks the motor control before then. Finishing the job after them is normal practice, not distrust.
Do not panic about dates. The order matters more.
An examination is UAH 690; a treatment plan — UAH 1,000. If decay needs treating, UAH 2,350–3,900 depending on its size; the exact figure is given after the examination.
Frequently asked questions
How many baby teeth are there and when do they change?
Twenty. The change runs from about six to thirteen: central incisors first, then lateral ones, then canines and molars. Lower teeth usually run a few months ahead of upper.
Is it normal if teeth change earlier or later?
Six months either way is normal. The order matters far more: if the sequence is right, the dates are not critical. A disturbed order, though, is worth an examination.
Can I pull a loose tooth myself?
Better not. A baby tooth is held by a root that resorbs on its own and will come out effortlessly. Pulled early it leaves a larger wound, and sometimes fractures, leaving the root in the gum.
The new tooth is yellower than the baby teeth beside it. Is that decay?
No. The enamel of permanent teeth is more translucent and the dentine shows through, so they look darker. It is normal and needs no whitening.
There are gaps between the new teeth. Is that bad?
The opposite — it is good. Permanent teeth are larger, and spacing at six to eight means there is enough room. Teeth already standing tightly together is more concerning.
A tooth fell out and the space has been empty for months. How long should we wait?
Up to six months is usually fine. Longer than that needs an X-ray: the permanent tooth may be poorly positioned or absent from birth.
My child swallowed the tooth. What now?
Nothing — it passes naturally. Seek help only if there is coughing or breathlessness, when the tooth may have entered the airway.
Why treat a baby tooth that will fall out soon?
If the change is more than a year away, it must be treated. Infection reaches the permanent tooth bud, which then erupts with an enamel defect. And the child is in pain now.
When should we first see an orthodontist?
Before school, at six or seven. At that age some bite problems are solved without braces, while the jaws are still growing.
Restorative dentistry and paediatric appointments at Houston clinic. Prevention, helping children adapt to treatment, treatment of baby teeth.
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The dentist will check whether the change of teeth is following the right order and say whether anything needs doing. A consultation is UAH 690; with a treatment plan — UAH 1,000.
Or book by phone 067 478 88 78
Book an examination for your child
The dentist will check whether the change of teeth is following the right order and say whether anything needs doing. A consultation is UAH 690; with a treatment plan — UAH 1,000.
Book now