Oral Health›Life stages

Losing Baby Teeth: What to Expect and When to See a Dentist

When baby teeth usually fall out and adult teeth come through, what to do about wobbly teeth and adult teeth arriving before the baby tooth has gone, and when to see a dentist.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·7 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Most children start losing baby teeth at around 6, usually the lower front teeth first. Up to 2 years earlier or later can be normal.
  • The first adult back teeth (molars) come through at around 6 behind the baby teeth, without any baby tooth falling out. They need careful cleaning.
  • If an adult tooth comes through before the baby tooth has fallen out, and the baby tooth is still there after 2 to 3 months, see a dentist.
  • A little bleeding and tenderness when a tooth comes out is normal.
  • A baby tooth lost early through decay or injury needs a dental check. Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in.

Losing baby teeth is a normal part of growing up. This guide follows on from our articles on teething and children's teeth.

Baby teeth matter even though they fall out. The American Dental Association says they help set the spacing for the adult teeth, and that baby teeth lost to decay can threaten the health of the adult teeth.

When do baby teeth fall out?

Sources agree that it usually starts at around age 6, but give slightly different end points:

  • Better Health Channel (Victoria): baby teeth start to become wobbly from about 6. It is normal to lose the first tooth up to 2 years earlier or later, and girls generally lose teeth earlier than boys.
  • Australian Dental Association: teeth start to become loose at around 6, often the lower front teeth first. Most children have all their adult teeth at around 13.
  • Raising Children Network (Australia): most children lose their baby teeth between 6 and 12. By about 12, most have all their adult teeth except the wisdom teeth. If your child's baby teeth came through late, the adult teeth will probably be late too.
  • American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): the front teeth usually go first at about 6, and the back baby molars between 10 and 12, replaced by adult teeth by about 13.

The Better Health Channel gives these typical ages for losing each baby tooth:

  • Central incisors (the two middle front teeth): 6 to 7 years
  • Lateral incisors (the teeth either side): 7 to 8 years
  • First molars: 9 to 11 years
  • Canines (the pointed teeth): 9 to 12 years (lower) and 10 to 12 years (upper)
  • Second molars: 10 to 12 years

When do adult teeth come through?

Adult (permanent) teeth start developing in the jaw from birth, according to the Australian Dental Association. The Better Health Channel gives this rough timeline:

  • First molars: 6 to 7 years
  • Central incisors: 6 to 8 years
  • Lateral incisors: 7 to 8 years
  • Canines and premolars (the teeth between the canines and molars): 9 to 13 years
  • Second molars: 11 to 13 years
  • Wisdom teeth: 17 to 21 years, if at all

The Oral Health Foundation (UK) gives similar ages but says wisdom teeth usually come through between 18 and 25, sometimes later or not at all. See wisdom teeth.

By about 21, most people have 32 adult teeth (Better Health Channel, American Dental Association). The Australian Dental Association says it is common for wisdom teeth not to develop or not to fit, so many people have 28.

The first adult molars

The first adult molars come through behind the last baby teeth, so no baby tooth needs to fall out for them to appear (Australian Dental Association, Better Health Channel). The Oral Health Foundation says they are very important and need careful brushing as soon as they appear, as they have to last a lifetime.

What if an adult tooth arrives before the baby tooth falls out?

Sometimes an adult tooth comes through before the baby tooth has fallen out, so for a while both are in the mouth. Raising Children Network says that if the baby tooth has not fallen out within 2 to 3 months, see your dentist. The AAP says that if a baby tooth is not loosening enough on its own, a dentist may suggest taking it out.

Wobbly teeth and bleeding

As the adult tooth pushes up, the root of the baby tooth is gradually worn away, so by the time it is loose there is little holding it in place apart from a small amount of gum tissue (AAP). Children usually wiggle loose teeth out themselves with their tongue or fingers.

The Better Health Channel says it is normal for the gums to be tender and bleed a little, although some children have little or no discomfort. It suggests:

  • reassuring your child that losing baby teeth is natural and new teeth will come
  • cold packs, or a pain-relieving medicine suitable for children, asking your dentist or pharmacist which to use

Raising Children Network says chewing may be harder while teeth are loose or missing, but your child still needs healthy food. Keep up brushing, taking extra care around loose teeth and sore areas.

When a baby tooth is lost too early

Losing a baby tooth early, through decay or injury, can cause problems later. The Australian Dental Association says the adult teeth might become crowded, and the AAP says they can come through early and crooked because of limited space. The Better Health Channel explains that if a baby molar is lost early, the teeth beside it can drift into the gap.

To prevent this, the American Dental Association says a dentist may recommend a space maintainer, a small appliance that holds the gap open until the adult tooth is ready. For how to prevent decay in young children, see early childhood tooth decay.

If a baby tooth is knocked out or damaged

Follow our dental emergencies guide. The key points:

  • Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. The NHS says it could damage the adult tooth growing underneath.
  • healthdirect Australia advises rinsing your child's mouth with salt water, using an ice pack if the mouth is swollen, and going to your dentist. It says the gum will heal and an adult tooth should grow in its place.

Between about 6 and 12 children have a mix of baby and adult teeth (Raising Children Network), so a knocked-out front tooth may be an adult tooth. Adult teeth should be put back in, so if you are not sure, see the steps in our emergencies guide and get to a dentist quickly.

What if an adult tooth does not appear?

Timing varies from child to child. Raising Children Network says to see your dentist if you are concerned about how your child's teeth are developing, and the Australian Dental Association says regular check-ups include checking the teeth are appearing at the right time.

Occasionally an adult tooth never forms. The Oral Health Foundation calls this hypodontia. It often runs in families, and the teeth most often missing are wisdom teeth, the upper teeth either side of the two front teeth, and the lower premolars. A dentist can usually spot it and may take X-rays or refer your child to an orthodontist (a specialist in straightening teeth).

The Australian Dental Association says the Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends an orthodontic check-up between 7 and 10, before all the adult teeth have come through. See braces and aligners.

Caring for new adult teeth

  • Toothpaste: the amount and strength change with age, and guidance differs between the UK, Australia and the US. See children's teeth for each country's advice and how long to help with brushing.
  • Sealants: new adult molars have deep grooves where food and plaque collect, and the Oral Health Foundation says dentists may recommend fissure sealants, a protective coating on the biting surfaces. See fissure sealants.
  • Check-ups: Raising Children Network says dentists usually recommend a check-up every 6 to 12 months at this age.
  • Sport: the Better Health Channel says all children playing contact sports should wear a custom-fitted mouthguard. See sports mouthguards.
When to see a dentist
  • An adult tooth has come through and the baby tooth is still there after 2 to 3 months (Raising Children Network).
  • A baby tooth has been lost early through decay or an accident.
  • You are worried about the timing or order of your child's teeth, or an adult tooth has not appeared.
  • Your child has toothache, which the AAP says could be a sign of decay.
Get help urgently
  • A knocked-out adult tooth: the NHS says to ask for an emergency dental appointment, and healthdirect says ideally within 30 minutes. See dental emergencies for what to do on the way.
  • A swollen face or jaw, which the NHS lists as a sign of a dental abscess: ask for an urgent dental appointment or call NHS 111 (or your local equivalent).
  • Call 999 (or your local emergency number) if your child finds it hard to breathe, speak or swallow, or has a lot of swelling in the mouth (NHS).

Frequently asked questions

My child is 7 and has not lost a tooth yet. Is that a problem?

Usually not. The Better Health Channel says losing the first tooth up to 2 years later than 6 is normal. If you are worried, ask your dentist to check at the next visit.

Should I pull out my child's wobbly tooth?

Most children wiggle loose teeth out themselves. The AAP says that if your child wants you to remove one that is already loose, grasp it firmly with tissue or gauze and use a quick twist.

How many teeth will my child lose?

All 20 baby teeth are replaced over time. Most people eventually have 32 adult teeth, or 28 if the wisdom teeth do not develop or come through (Australian Dental Association).

Sources

  1. Teeth development in children, Better Health Channel (Victoria), accessed September 2026
  2. Dental health and dental care for kids 5-8 years, Raising Children Network, accessed September 2026
  3. Dental care for kids, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  4. Tooth eruption timeline for kids, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  5. Hypodontia: missing teeth from birth, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  6. When children begin to lose their baby teeth, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), accessed September 2026
  7. Eruption charts, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  8. Baby teeth, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  9. Space maintainers, American Dental Association (MouthHealthy), accessed September 2026
  10. Knocked-out tooth, NHS, accessed September 2026
  11. Dental abscess, NHS, accessed September 2026
  12. Dental injury, healthdirect Australia, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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