When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out, and What If They Don't? | Hummingbird Dental

Most children lose their first baby tooth around age six and their last one around age twelve, usually starting with the lower front teeth. A few months early or late is completely normal, and a baby tooth that stays put longer than expected is common and rarely serious, although it is worth a quick check through pediatric dentistry care if the adult tooth is already coming in behind it or the delay is more than a year.

Parents often worry when a friend’s child has a gap-toothed grin and their own child does not. Timing varies widely between families, between boys and girls, and even between the two sides of the same mouth. At Hummingbird Dental, we reassure many parents each month that their child’s timeline falls well within the normal range. Tracking these milestones is a routine part of family dentistry visits for the whole household.

There are, however, situations where a dentist should take a look: a tooth knocked out early by a fall, “shark teeth” where the adult tooth erupts behind a baby tooth, or a missing adult tooth that never forms. A baby tooth lost to injury is different from one that falls out naturally, and a fall with bleeding or a broken tooth should be seen by an emergency dentist the same day if possible.

This guide walks you through the typical order of tooth loss, the signs that call for an exam, and how to make the experience easy and positive for your child. If you need a friendly dental clinic in Richmond Hill for the whole family, you will also find practical details on booking and what a children’s checkup involves.

Why Do Children Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth, also called primary or deciduous teeth, are designed to be temporary. There are 20 of them, and they hold space in the jaw for 32 larger permanent teeth.

As an adult tooth develops underneath, it presses on the root of the baby tooth. Special cells called odontoclasts gradually dissolve that root in a process called root resorption. Once most of the root is gone, the baby tooth becomes loose and eventually falls out, often with very little bleeding.

Why Baby Teeth Still Matter

They help children chew properly and get good nutrition.
They support clear speech development.
They guide adult teeth into the correct position.
Infection in a baby tooth can affect the adult tooth forming below it.

The Typical Order and Age of Tooth Loss

Children usually lose teeth in roughly the same order they came in. These ranges are averages, not deadlines.

Baby Tooth	Typical Age Lost
Lower central incisors	6 to 7 years
Upper central incisors	6 to 8 years
Lower lateral incisors	7 to 8 years
Upper lateral incisors	7 to 8 years
First molars	9 to 11 years
Lower canines	9 to 12 years
Upper canines	10 to 12 years
Second molars	10 to 12 years

Girls often lose teeth slightly earlier than boys. Children whose baby teeth came in early usually lose them early too, and late teethers tend to lose teeth later.

Is It Normal If My Child Has Not Lost a Tooth Yet?

Yes, up to a point. Many healthy children do not lose a first tooth until age seven or even a little later. A dentist will usually only become concerned if:

No teeth have loosened by around age eight
One side has lost a tooth but the matching tooth on the other side is still firm many months later
An adult tooth is visibly coming in but the baby tooth is not loosening

A simple X-ray shows whether the adult teeth are present and developing normally, which usually answers the question in minutes.

What Are “Shark Teeth” and Should You Worry?

“Shark teeth” is the everyday term for a double row of teeth, where the permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out. It is most common with the lower front teeth.

It looks alarming but is very common. In many cases the baby tooth loosens and falls out within a few weeks, and the tongue gently pushes the adult tooth forward into place. If the baby tooth is still firm after about two to three months, a quick and gentle removal is usually recommended.

Reasons a Baby Tooth May Not Fall Out

Normal variation. The adult tooth is simply developing later.
Adult tooth erupting off track. It does not press on the baby root, so the root does not dissolve.
Missing adult tooth (hypodontia). Some people never develop certain permanent teeth, most often the upper lateral incisors or lower second premolars.
Ankylosis. The baby tooth fuses to the bone and appears to “sink” below neighbouring teeth.
Crowding. Not enough room in the jaw for teeth to erupt in the usual sequence.
Extra teeth. An extra tooth (supernumerary) can block the path of the adult tooth.

When Losing a Tooth Early Is a Concern

Losing a baby tooth much earlier than expected, especially before age four, is worth a visit. Common causes include decay, injury, or occasionally gum or medical conditions.

When a back baby tooth is lost early, neighbouring teeth may drift into the gap and block the adult tooth. A small appliance called a space maintainer can hold that space open until the permanent tooth arrives.

What to Do if a Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out

Stay calm and comfort your child.
Rinse the mouth gently with water and press clean gauze on the area to stop bleeding.
Do not try to put a baby tooth back in its socket, as this can damage the adult tooth underneath.
Keep the tooth to show the dentist.
Call the dental office for a same-day assessment.

A knocked-out adult tooth is different. It should be rinsed gently, placed back in the socket if possible or stored in milk, and seen immediately.

How to Help a Loose Tooth Come Out Safely

Let your child wiggle it gently with a clean finger or tongue.
Offer crunchy foods like apples and carrots, which help naturally.
Avoid strings, doors, or pulling a tooth that is not ready. This can cause pain, bleeding, and fear of dental care.
If the tooth is hanging by a thread and bothering your child, a gentle twist with clean gauze is usually fine.
After it comes out, have your child bite on gauze for a few minutes.

Tooth Loss vs Tooth Eruption: A Quick Timeline Comparison

Parents sometimes mix up when baby teeth arrive and when they leave. This summary keeps the two stages clear.

First baby tooth appears: around 6 months, usually a lower front tooth.
All 20 baby teeth in place: around age 2.5 to 3.
First permanent molars erupt: around age 6, behind the last baby teeth, without any baby tooth falling out first. Many parents do not realize these are adult teeth.
First baby tooth lost: around age 6 to 7.
Second permanent molars erupt: around age 11 to 13.
Wisdom teeth: usually between 17 and 25, if they develop at all.

The six-year molars deserve special attention. Because they arrive quietly at the back of the mouth, they are often missed during brushing and are one of the most common places for cavities in school-age children. Sealants and careful brushing at this stage protect them for life.

Common Parent Myths

Myth: “Baby teeth fall out anyway, so cavities do not matter.” Fact: Decay in baby teeth can cause pain, infection, and early loss that disrupts adult teeth.
Myth: “Children do not need to see a dentist until all adult teeth are in.” Fact: The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first visit by age one, or within six months of the first tooth.
Myth: “Dental visits scare kids for life.” Fact: Gentle, positive early visits are the best way to prevent dental anxiety later.
Myth: “A late tooth means something is wrong.” Fact: Most late losers are completely healthy and simply on their own timeline.

What Happens at a Children’s Dental Checkup

Warm welcome. The team introduces instruments with simple, friendly words.
Gentle exam. The dentist counts teeth, checks for loose teeth, decay, and bite development.
X-rays when needed. Low-dose images confirm adult teeth are present and on track.
Cleaning and fluoride. Plaque is removed and a fluoride varnish strengthens enamel.
Parent chat. You receive clear advice on brushing, diet, sports protection, and what to watch for.

Real Family Scenarios

The late bloomer. A seven-and-a-half-year-old had no loose teeth. An X-ray showed all adult teeth developing normally, just a little late. Within six months, the lower front teeth loosened on their own.

Shark teeth at age six. A child’s two lower adult incisors appeared behind firm baby teeth. After ten weeks with no change, the baby teeth were removed gently, and the adult teeth moved forward naturally.

The missing premolar. A twelve-year-old still had a firm lower baby molar. Imaging revealed no adult tooth underneath. The baby tooth was kept and monitored, since it can sometimes last well into adulthood.

Keeping Adult Teeth Healthy From Day One

Brush twice daily with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children aged three and up.
Help with brushing until your child can write their name neatly, usually around age seven or eight.
Start flossing once teeth touch each other.
Ask about dental sealants for new permanent molars.
Limit sugary snacks and drinks between meals.
Use a mouth guard for contact sports.

Gentle Family Dental Care in Richmond Hill

Finding a family dentist in Richmond Hill who is patient with little ones makes every milestone easier. Hummingbird Dental is one of the best and most trusted dental clinics in the area and has won the Top Choice Award for Richmond Hill Dentist in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025.

The clinic is located at 10376 Yonge St #202, Richmond Hill, ON L4C 3B8. New patients and CDCP patients are welcome, and children and parents can be seen in English, Persian, Russian, Portuguese, Hindi, or Urdu, so no one feels lost in translation. With hours six days a week, including Saturdays and extended weekday evenings, appointments can fit around school and activities, and same-day emergency appointments are available for falls and sudden toothaches.

To book your child’s checkup, call +1 647-370-2024 or email info@hummingbirddental.ca. Every visit is provided by licensed dental professionals registered with the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO), which is what parents should expect from the best dentist in Richmond Hill for their family.

Parent Safety Note

This article is general guidance only and does not replace a dental exam. Every child develops differently, and only a licensed dentist can assess your child’s teeth and recommend care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it normal for a baby tooth to bleed when it falls out?

A small amount of bleeding is normal. Pressing clean gauze on the spot for a few minutes usually stops it. Bleeding that continues beyond 15 to 20 minutes should be checked.

What if my child swallows a baby tooth?

This is common and usually harmless. The tooth will pass naturally. If your child coughs, struggles to breathe, or complains of chest pain, seek medical care right away.

Why do adult teeth look more yellow than baby teeth?

Permanent teeth have more dentin, which is naturally yellow, and are often slightly less white than baby teeth. This is normal.

Should adult teeth come in crooked?

New front teeth often appear slightly crooked or with gaps, and many straighten as the jaw grows. An orthodontic check around age seven helps spot bite issues early.