What Age Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? (Updated)

cartoon tooth

What Age Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? (Updated)

When your child loses their first tooth, it is almost like a rite of passage to be visited by the tooth fairy and be gifted for the pain and trouble the little tooth caused. After all, these kinds of sweet moments in your child’s life have them cherish their childhood forever. However, you may wonder what time the tooth fairy has to come out and around what age baby teeth normally fall out?

cartoon tooth

The Loss Of Baby Teeth

The first set of your child’s teeth should come in when they reach six months old. With these teeth, otherwise called primary teeth, also comes 20 additional baby teeth that fall out naturally. Usually, they fall out as their adult teeth sprout, but sometimes it can take special treatment to help move along the process.

However, there really is nothing to worry about with the loss of your child’s teeth. As nerve wrecking as it is when your child starts to have teeth fall out, it is a completely natural process that everyone goes through. With the loss of their teeth, it is also a good time to help teach your child better hygiene tips to help prevent the loss of their new adult teeth and promote positive oral health.

 

When Do Baby Teeth Normally Come Out?

Usually, most baby teeth tend to fall out when your child reaches the ages of 6 through 8. In most cases, the first teeth that your child grew will be the first to fall out, these set of teeth being their lower incisors. Next, the top incisors will go and finally, the lateral incisors will fall out last. You may notice a small wait period between your child’s baby teeth falling out and their adult teeth growing in, but the small wait period is normal. However, if you suspect something wrong it’s always best to consult your child’s orthodontist.

Here is the average age order of when baby teeth fall out:

  • 6 – upper and lower incisors
  • 7 – upper and lower lateral incisors
  • 10 – upper molars and lower canines
  • 11 – lower molars
  • 12 – upper canines and upper/lower molars

It’s a good idea to remember that teeth grow differently for everyone. Girls tend to lose teeth sooner than boys, and some may even keep their baby teeth up until elementary school. However, as different as everyone may be, it’s never a bad idea to keep a small note of how and when your child’s teeth fall out to help keep count for your own sanity. This way you will have less to worry about and can keep track to make sure your child’s teeth are falling out a normal rate. Plus, it serves as great observatory notes for your child’s doctor.

 

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New Eating Habits And New Teeth

In general, growing permanent teeth is not as painful for kids as the original teething process is. However, your child may experience some pain when the back molars begin to erupt. There are topical painkillers that can be applied to help manage this pain. You can also choose to give your child regular, over the counter painkillers, like children’s ibuprofen.

When your child starts to lose their baby teeth, their eating habits should not change significantly. With some kids, though, they may start to chew more with their back teeth than their front ones. In order to help them out, feed them softer foods that are easier to chew. You should also cut their food into smaller chunks that are easier to chew and swallow.

 

What If My Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out Too Early?

A child’s teeth can fall out earlier than they should. This usually only occurs during specific cases, like in an accident or in cases of poor dental hygiene. Things like these can cause baby teeth to fall out before they are ready to do so naturally.

Losing baby teeth early is not necessarily indicative of a future serious dental problem. However, it may still be a good idea to seek treatment, especially if your child loses their baby teeth before their fourth birthday. The orthodontist may take x-rays of your child’s teeth in order to get a better idea of what is happening in their mouth underneath the gums.

If baby teeth fall out early, it can cause spacing problems later on when the permanent teeth to grow in. Your child’s orthodontists may decide it is best to install a spacer in the gap left by the tooth. This will act as a placeholder in your kid’s mouth until their permanent teeth are ready to come in.

 

 

How To Remove Loose Baby Teeth

No, you should not tie a string around the loose tooth and a doorknob and then close the door. This is not only a bad idea, it can also be dangerous. Your child’s tooth should be allowed to fall out on its own, in its own time. You can encourage your child to move it gently, as this can help it to fall out naturally a little bit faster. However, try to prevent them from pulling the tooth out on their own. When a loose tooth is pulled out, the broken root is more likely to get infected. When a tooth falls out on its own, the chance of infection is limited. Also, your child will experience less bleeding and less pain when they let it fall out naturally.

In some cases, an orthodontist may be required to step in. If a tooth is loose and does not fall out by itself, it may need to be extracted by a professional. However, a situation like this is extremely rare.

 

Taking Care Of Permanent Teeth

When your child’s permanent teeth grow it, it will be more important than before to take proper care of them. Permanent teeth are bigger than baby teeth and will not be quite as white. The ridges will also be more prevalent when they first grow in. This is because they have not been through years of wear from biting and chewing yet. To keep your child’s teeth looking nice and being healthy, you should follow these tips.

  • Watch over them every time they brush their teeth until they reach the age of eight.
  • Every three months, get them a new toothbrush.
  • Teach them to use a small amount of toothpaste when brushing. The squirt of toothpaste should be no bigger than the size of a pea.
  • Make sure your kid is not swallowing any toothpaste. Fluoride is great for teeth, but it can be dangerous when swallowed. Make sure they are spitting every time.
  • Visit your local pediatric dental professional regularly. This is the best way to ensure your children will have healthy teeth.

 

See an Expert Today

Scheduling regular visits to the dentist is a vital aspect of keeping your child safe and healthy. If you are looking for a children’s dentist in your area, visit Kinder Smiles. To learn more about Dr. Darryl Engel, visit us at our website.

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KinderSmiles Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics
400 Kinderkamack Rd
Oradell, NJ 07649
Phone: 551-210-4012

 

What Age Do Baby Teeth Fall Out? (Updated)