Baby teeth, also called primary teeth, can be a tricky business. While all children will develop and lose a set of baby teeth, the time frame for them to do so varies wildly from child to child. The emergence and loss of these teeth both mark a new stage of life, and they should be celebrated as special occasions. Here’s a brief guide to the lifecycle of primary teeth, including when they can be expected to come in and when they will probably fall out.
Why Do Children Lose Their Primary Teeth?
Everyone is born with the beginnings of their baby and adult teeth nestled away in their jaws. The baby teeth will grow and develop first, eventually emerging and filling your child’s mouth, usually within the first year. They also serve to make a pathway for the adult teeth as they come in. Over time, the roots of these teeth will begin to dissolve as the adult teeth beneath them become ready to emerge. This will make the baby teeth increasingly looser. Eventually, the baby teeth will fall out to make room for the emerging adult teeth.
Baby teeth will usually fall out in the same order in which they came in. The first to go are usually the top and bottom front teeth. It is perfectly normal for small children to have gaps in their teeth as they grow up, and it is no cause for alarm.
When Will My Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out?
A child’s teeth typically start to fall out around when they start going to school full time, usually during kindergarten or first grade. While the actual timeframe varies for each child, children typically start losing their primary teeth around age six and lose their last one by age thirteen. Girls typically start losing their teeth sooner. There’s nothing to worry about if your child’s teeth start falling out sooner or later than those of other children or if they seem to be doing so out of order.
To keep your child’s baby teeth healthy, you should start brushing them twice a day as soon as they come in and floss them as soon as they have two teeth next to one another. You should start scheduling dentist appointments when the first tooth comes in or by their first birthday. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s tooth loss, consult with your dentist.
About the Author
Dr. Asim Awan earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and completed a General Practice Residency in the Department of Oral Surgery at Indiana University. He serves as a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentists. His office in Naperville, IL offers pediatric preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. For more information on the losing of primary teeth, contact his office online or dial (630) 995-3393.