Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6, although some begin a little earlier or later. The lower front teeth are often the first to loosen, followed by the upper front teeth. A child’s dental timeline can vary, so the most useful sign is not a specific birthday—it is whether teeth are loosening and permanent teeth are erupting in a generally healthy pattern.
If a loose tooth is painful, a permanent tooth is erupting in an unusual position, or your child has not started losing teeth and you are concerned, families can speak with a pediatric dentist in Fredericksburg for individualized guidance.
What Age Do Kids Lose Teeth?
The primary-tooth transition commonly begins between ages 5 and 7. Most children lose all 20 baby teeth over several years, with the process generally continuing into the preteen years.
The average timeline is helpful, but it is not a diagnosis. Genetics, growth patterns, and the timing of permanent-tooth development can all affect when children begin losing teeth.
| Approximate age | Teeth commonly affected | What parents may notice |
| 5–7 years | Lower and upper front incisors | The first loose tooth, mild gum tenderness, a new tooth beginning to appear |
| 7–9 years | Side incisors | More gaps in the smile and changes in speech or chewing comfort |
| 9–12 years | Canines and baby molars | Larger teeth replacing baby teeth and temporary spacing changes |
| 11–13 years | Second molars | The final baby teeth coming out for many children |
What Teeth Do Kids Lose First?
The lower central incisors—the two bottom front teeth—are often the first teeth children lose. Upper central incisors commonly follow. This pattern is typical, but it is not a rule every child follows exactly.
The important thing is that the baby tooth becomes loose naturally as the permanent tooth develops underneath it. Parents should avoid forcing out a tooth that is not ready.
How to Help a Child With a Loose Tooth
A loose tooth can feel exciting for one child and stressful for another. Let your child wiggle it gently with clean hands if it is already loose. Continue normal brushing, including around the gumline, and offer softer foods if the area feels tender.
Do not tie a tooth to a door, pull it before it is ready, or allow a child to use objects to pry it out. If bleeding occurs after a tooth comes out naturally, gentle pressure with clean gauze usually helps.
When Should You Call a Dentist?
A routine dental visit can answer questions about development, but contact a dentist sooner if your child has:
- Pain that does not improve
- Swelling, fever, drainage, or a bad taste in the mouth
- A baby tooth that stays firmly in place while a permanent tooth erupts far behind or in front of it. Parents can learn more about retained baby teeth and why they may not loosen on the expected timeline.
- A loose tooth after a fall or sports injury
- Difficulty chewing because of a loose or displaced tooth
Frequently Asked Questions
When do kids start losing teeth?
Most children start around age 6, but a start between about ages 5 and 7 can still be within a typical range.
What age do kids lose teeth?
The process usually begins in early elementary school and continues until around age 12, although individual timing varies.
What teeth do kids lose first?
The lower front baby teeth are often first, followed by the upper front teeth.
Is it normal for a 5-year-old to lose a tooth?
It can be. Some children begin the transition earlier than average. A dentist can help if you are unsure whether the tooth is loosening naturally or after an injury.
What if a permanent tooth comes in before the baby tooth falls out?
This is sometimes called “shark teeth.” It may resolve as the baby tooth loosens, but a dentist should evaluate it if the baby tooth remains firm or the permanent tooth appears out of position.
The Bottom Line
Knowing when kids start losing teeth can make the first loose tooth less surprising. Use the typical timeline as a general guide, not a deadline, and seek dental advice whenever the process seems painful, delayed, or unusual.
