--- title: "When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? A Chart for Parents" description: "Baby teeth start to loosen around age 6 and are usually gone by 12 or 13. Use this chart of average ages by tooth, and learn when to call the dentist." url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/when-do-baby-teeth-fall-out-a-chart-for-parents publisher: Town Center Dental phone: +1-636-273-5866 quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment --- # When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? A Chart for Parents Baby teeth usually start to fall out around age 5 or 6, starting with the front teeth. Most children have lost all of them by age 12 or 13. The ages in this chart are averages, and your child may be earlier or later. Your dentist can check anything that seems off. Kids and familyPublished October 26, 20265 min read ## When do baby teeth fall out? Most children lose their first baby tooth around age 5 or 6. Nemours KidsHealth says baby teeth start falling out at that age, one by one. By about age 12 or 13, most children have lost all of their baby teeth and have a full set of adult teeth. The chart below shows the front teeth going first and the back teeth later. The averages come from Cleveland Clinic, which describes them as a general guide, since eruption times vary from child to child. ## What is the baby teeth fall-out chart? This chart shows when each [baby tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/primary-teeth-baby-teeth) usually falls out. The ages are averages. Your child may be earlier or later, and that is often normal. Tooth Upper: falls out Lower: falls out Central incisor (middle front) 6 to 7 years 6 to 7 years Lateral incisor (side front) 7 to 8 years 7 to 8 years First molar 9 to 11 years 9 to 11 years Canine (cuspid) 10 to 12 years 9 to 12 years Second molar 10 to 12 years 10 to 12 years Cleveland Clinic also notes that lower teeth usually come in before upper teeth. In the chart, the middle front teeth are first to go, at 6 to 7 years, and the second molars are last, at 10 to 12 years. ## Why do baby teeth fall out? They are pushed out by the adult tooth underneath. Nemours KidsHealth says a baby tooth falls out because it is being pushed out of the way by the adult tooth behind it. Slowly, the adult teeth grow in and take the place of the baby teeth. Cleveland Clinic adds that shortly after age 4, the jaw and facial bones begin to grow. This creates spaces between the baby teeth, which provides room for the larger adult teeth. If you see new gaps between your four-year-old’s teeth, that is often part of the plan. An [adult tooth](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/permanent-teeth) can then take its place. ## What is the mixed set stage? It is the years when your child has both baby teeth and adult teeth. Cleveland Clinic says that between ages 6 and 12, a mixture of both reside in your child’s mouth. Dentists call this stage [mixed dentition](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mixed-dentition). It can look crowded or uneven for a while. Adult teeth are larger, and Cleveland Clinic says baby teeth are smaller and whiter than the adult teeth that follow, so a mix of shades is normal. ## When do the adult teeth come in? They arrive over many years, starting with the first molars. Cleveland Clinic’s chart shows these average ages for the upper adult teeth. Upper adult tooth Comes in First molar 6 to 7 years Central incisor 7 to 8 years Lateral incisor 8 to 9 years First premolar 10 to 11 years Second premolar 10 to 12 years Canine 11 to 12 years Second molar 12 to 13 years Third molar (wisdom tooth) 17 to 21 years Nemours KidsHealth says the first and second molars are sometimes called the 6-year molars and the 12-year molars because that is about when they come in. The American Dental Association says that by age 21, all 32 adult teeth have usually come in. The first molars are adult teeth, so good care matters from the start. ## Do baby teeth still need care if they fall out anyway? Yes. Cleveland Clinic says baby teeth play a vital role even though they are only in the mouth for a short time. They reserve space for the adult teeth, help with clear speech, and help give a healthy start to the adult teeth. Some baby teeth stay in the mouth until age 12 or 13. Keep brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth. Keep dental visits regular as the mouth changes. Our [guide to a child’s first dental visit](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/childs-first-dental-visit) covers the early years. ## What if a baby tooth comes out early from an injury? Call your dentist, but do not try to put the tooth back. HealthyChildren.org says that if a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, there is no need to try to replace it. It adds that in most cases no treatment is necessary. Cleveland Clinic says it is not a good idea to reinsert a baby tooth. An adult tooth that is knocked out is different. That is an emergency where time matters. Read [what to do in the first 30 minutes](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/knocked-out-tooth-the-first-30-minutes) for the steps. If you are not sure which kind of tooth it is, call your dentist at once and describe your child’s age and the tooth. ## When should I call the dentist? Call if something looks off. Good reasons include a tooth that seems stuck, pain or swelling, or a baby tooth lost very young after an injury. A dentist can look at the mouth and tell you if the pattern is normal for your child. Your child’s regular checkups also give the dentist a chance to watch how the mouth is changing. Town Center Dental says it treats every member of the family, from infants to grandparents. See the [dentistry for kids](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dentistry-for-kids) page for the practice’s own description. ## How should I use this chart? Treat it as a guide, not a deadline. 1. Find the tooth your child is losing in the first column of the chart. 2. Compare your child’s age to the average range shown. 3. Remember that Cleveland Clinic calls the chart a general guide, since timing varies from child to child. 4. Write down any questions, such as a tooth that seems stuck, and bring them to the next checkup. A child who is a little early or a little late is usually not a cause for worry. The dentist watches the whole pattern, not a single date. If you ever feel unsure, a short call to the office is a fair way to find out. Parents sometimes feel pressure to match a friend’s child tooth for tooth. Teeth do not keep to a calendar, and healthy children differ by months or more. Keep brushing, keep checkups on schedule, and let your dentist spot anything that does not look right. ## Next step If your child is losing teeth and you have questions about the timing, ask at the next visit. Read about [dentistry for kids](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/dentistry-for-kids) at Town Center Dental, then call (636) 273-5866 or [request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment). ## Frequently asked questions ### At what age do baby teeth start to fall out? Usually around age 5 or 6. Cleveland Clinic's chart shows the lower and upper front teeth falling out at 6 to 7 years on average. Some children start earlier or later. Mention it to your dentist if you are unsure. ### Which baby teeth fall out first? The front teeth usually go first. Cleveland Clinic lists the central incisors, the two middle front teeth, at 6 to 7 years. The side front teeth follow at 7 to 8 years. The canines and molars come out later, between about 9 and 12 years. ### What if my child's baby tooth is knocked out early? HealthyChildren.org from the American Academy of Pediatrics says that if a child loses a baby tooth earlier than expected, there is no need to try to replace it. Cleveland Clinic says not to reinsert a baby tooth. Call your dentist to have your child checked. ### Should I worry if my child loses teeth late? Not necessarily. Cleveland Clinic says eruption times vary from child to child and the chart is a general guide. If a tooth seems stuck or you are unsure, ask your dentist to take a look. ## Terms on this page - [Fluoride toothpaste](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/fluoride-toothpaste) - [Premolar (bicuspid)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/premolar-bicuspid) - [Canine (cuspid)](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/canine-cuspid) - [Mixed dentition](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/mixed-dentition) - [Incisor](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/incisor) ## Sources 1. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 2. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 3. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 4. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 5. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 6. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 7. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 8. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 9. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 10. [Nemours KidsHealth: Your Teeth (for Kids)](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/teeth.html) 11. [Nemours KidsHealth: Your Teeth (for Kids)](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/teeth.html) 12. [American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Eruption Charts](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/eruption-charts) 13. [HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): First Aid for a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/First-Aid-for-a-Knocked-Out-Permanent-Tooth.aspx) 14. [Cleveland Clinic: Avulsed Tooth (Knocked Out Tooth)](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21579-avulsed-tooth) 15. [Nemours KidsHealth: Your Teeth (for Kids)](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/teeth.html) 16. [HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): First Aid for a Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/Pages/First-Aid-for-a-Knocked-Out-Permanent-Tooth.aspx) 17. [Cleveland Clinic: Pediatric Dentist](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/pediatric-dentist) 18. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 19. [Cleveland Clinic: Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms & Tooth Eruption Chart](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome) 20. [Nemours KidsHealth: Your Teeth (for Kids)](https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/teeth.html) 21. [American Dental Association (MouthHealthy): Eruption Charts](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/eruption-charts) Written by Town Center Dental and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. Dental guidance changes, so check the linked page, and ask your dentist about your own care. ## Keep reading - [Your Child's First Dental Visit: When To Start, What To Expect, and When Teeth Come and GoThe ADA and the AAP say to schedule your child's first dental visit after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. Most visits are short. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, talks about cleaning and habits, and plans future check-ups. Baby teeth start to come in around 6 months.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/childs-first-dental-visit) - [Knocked-Out Tooth: What to Do in the First 30 MinutesFind the tooth and hold it by the crown, not the root. Rinse it gently, never scrub it. Try to place it back in the socket and bite on gauze. If you cannot, keep it in milk. Then get to a dentist or an emergency room right away. Time matters, so start within minutes.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/knocked-out-tooth-the-first-30-minutes) - [Dental Emergencies: What Counts, What To Do First, and Who To CallA dental emergency is a mouth problem that needs care right away, such as uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain that medicine does not ease, or a knocked-out tooth. Call 911 or go to an emergency room for trouble breathing or swallowing. Otherwise, call your dentist. Town Center Dental is closed Friday to Sunday.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/dental-emergency-guide) - [Kids' Cavities, Fluoride and Sealants: How Do I Protect Baby and Adult Teeth?Cavities start when germs in the mouth feed on sugar and make acid that harms enamel. Fluoride makes enamel stronger. Sealants cover the grooves of back teeth. Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, sensible drinks and snacks, and regular dental visits help protect baby and adult teeth. Your dentist will advise on your child.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/kids-cavities-and-fluoride) - [When Should a Baby See the Dentist? The First Visit GuideA baby's first dental visit should happen after the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. The American Dental Association says babies can get cavities as soon as they have teeth. The visit is short. The dentist checks teeth, gums and bite, and shows you how to care for them at home.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/blog/when-should-a-baby-see-the-dentist) - [Receding Gums: Why They Happen and What Treatment Options ExistGums recede when gum tissue pulls away from the teeth and exposes the roots. Common causes include gum disease, hard brushing, tobacco use, and genetics. Receded gums do not grow back on their own, but treatment can help stop it from getting worse. Options range from better home care to a gum graft.](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/guides/gum-recession-treatment) ## Ready when you are [Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)