When Do Milk Teeth Fall Out?

Most children begin losing their milk teeth around age six. It often starts with the front milk teeth, which may wobble for a while before finally falling out. Then the adult tooth moves into place.

There is no exact birthday for this. Some children lose their milk tooth at five while others do not see it happen until seven. Both can be completely normal if the rest of their dental development moves as expected.

When Do Milk Teeth Usually Start Falling Out?

The front milk teeth are often the first to go. After that the front milk teeth usually follow, although every child has their own slightly messy timetable. Milk teeth keep getting replaced over years rather than disappearing all at once.

Most children have lost all their milk teeth by around age twelve. The back baby teeth tend to stay because their adult replacements arrive later.

A Rough Age Guide

• Around age six the front milk teeth often become loose. Your child may suddenly discover they can wiggle one with their tongue.

• Between. Eight the front milk teeth usually start making room for adult teeth though the exact order can vary.

• Around nine to twelve the back milk teeth begin dropping out often. These ones are not always as obvious because they are harder to see.

Why Do Milk Teeth Fall Out?

The simple reason is that adult teeth grow underneath the milk teeth. As those permanent teeth move upward the roots of the baby teeth gradually break down. The milk tooth becomes loose because it no longer has the same root holding it firmly in place.

Yes children sometimes make this process look far more dramatic than it really is.

What If a Milk Tooth Doesn’t Fall Out?

Sometimes a baby tooth stays put longer than expected. That is not automatically a problem. Adult teeth do not always follow the schedule perfectly and some children simply take longer to lose certain teeth.

A dentist should examine the situation if an adult tooth is coming through while the milk tooth is still firmly sitting there. You may notice the permanent tooth appearing behind or beside the milk tooth creating what parents often call “shark teeth.”

There are reasons to get it checked too.

• A milk tooth is still firmly in place well after the surrounding teeth have changed. Worth mentioning at the dental visit.

• The adult tooth is clearly coming through in a position especially if the baby tooth is not loosening.

Should You Pull Out a Loose Milk Tooth?

Usually let the milk tooth come out naturally. If the milk tooth is very loose gentle movement, with the tongue is fine. Pulling the milk tooth early just because the milk tooth is annoying is not something I would recommend.

Once the milk tooth finally falls out a little bleeding can happen. A clean piece of gauze held gently against the area is usually enough.