Losing Baby Teeth: A Parent's Timeline for Wiggly Teeth and New Arrivals

Teething gets all the attention in the baby years, but there is a second big wave of tooth changes waiting a few years down the road. Somewhere around kindergarten, the first tooth starts to wiggle, and your child's mouth begins a gradual swap from baby teeth to adult teeth that lasts well into the preteen years.

When does it start?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), baby teeth are usually first shed at about age 6, when the incisors (the middle teeth in the front) become loose. From there, the process unfolds slowly:

• The front teeth usually go first.
• The back baby molars are usually shed between ages 10 and 12.
• Those back teeth are replaced with permanent teeth by about age 13.

Every child runs on their own clock. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes that many otherwise normal children do not follow the schedule exactly, so a few months early or late is not usually a cause for worry.

The order adult teeth tend to arrive

The AAPD's tooth development chart shows a fairly predictable sequence for permanent teeth:

1. First permanent molars come in around ages 5.5 to 7. These are often the very first adult teeth to appear, at the back of the mouth.
2. Lower central incisors follow around ages 6 to 7, with the upper central incisors around ages 7 to 8.
3. Lateral incisors (beside the front teeth) arrive around ages 7 to 9.
4. Canines and premolars fill in between roughly ages 9 and 13.
5. Second permanent molars appear around ages 12 to 14.

By age 21, the American Dental Association (ADA) notes that all 32 permanent teeth have usually come in, including the wisdom teeth.

Why the first molars deserve extra attention

Because the first permanent molars arrive quietly at the back of the mouth, it is easy to mistake them for baby teeth. They are adult teeth, and they need to last a lifetime. The ADA recommends considering dental sealants on these molars soon after they come in, which is a good thing to ask about at your child's next checkup.

Handling a loose tooth

Most loose teeth come out on their own with a little natural wiggling from tongue and fingers. If a tooth is very loose and needs a little help, the AAP suggests you grasp it firmly with a piece of tissue or gauze and remove it with a quick twist.

A few gentle guidelines:

• Let your child do the wiggling whenever possible. It is their tooth and their milestone.
• There is no need to force a tooth that is still firmly attached.
• The AAP notes that if a baby tooth is not loosening enough on its own, your child's dentist may suggest removing it.

When to call the dentist

The AAP advises contacting your dentist whenever your child complains of a toothache. It is also worth checking in if anything about the process seems unusual to you, such as a tooth that seems very delayed compared with the timeline above or new teeth coming in at an unexpected angle. Regular visits let the dentist keep an eye on the whole changeover.

Caring for a mouth in transition

A mix of baby teeth, gaps, and brand-new adult teeth can be tricky to clean. The AAP offers a few practical reminders:

• Children may need help brushing until somewhere between ages 7 and 10, so keep checking their work even after they take over.
• Floss, preferably once a day, especially once teeth touch.
• Keep up dental checkups twice a year for cleanings.

New adult teeth are the ones your child will keep for life, so this is a great stage to keep the routine strong rather than letting it slide as they gain independence.

For a calm, organized walk-through of oral health from the first tooth to the big-kid years, visit the main seminar page.

Sources

AAP · AAPD · ADA