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When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?

We all remember saving our baby teeth for the Tooth Fairy, but do you know what to expect when your children start losing their baby teeth? Here are some pointers that will help you prepare for your child’s toothy transformations.

When Do Children Get Their Baby Teeth?

A child normally has about 20 baby teeth, and most children grow these teeth by age 3. These teeth come in one by one, and they fall out in the same order they came in.

A baby tooth starts to get loose when the new, permanent tooth starts pushing on it from below. Children can sometimes lose the tooth before the permanent tooth comes in, but this is usually the result of an accident, injury, or dental problem.

When Do Children Lose Their Baby Teeth?

Most children lose them when they’re between 4 and 7 years old. The younger the child was when the teeth came in, the earlier they will lose those baby teeth.

As we mentioned above, the teeth fall out in the order they grew in. This usually means that the lower center teeth are the first to fall out, and this usually happens around age 6. The top center teeth fall out next, and this is usually around age 7.

In some cases, children keep their teeth until they’re 7 or 8 years old. This is not normally a reason to worry, but if you have questions, talk to your child’s dentist.

When Do Permanent Teeth Grow In?

The permanent teeth start to grow when the baby teeth fall out, but they don’t grow all at once. They come in little by little, and they don’t fully grow for years. The process lasts until children get their final teeth, known as the final molars or “wisdom teeth.” Typically, this happens between ages 17 and 21.

Why Do the New Adult Teeth Look Strange?

Your child’s adult teeth may look odd at first. They are highly grooved because they haven’t been used yet, and they’re also much larger than baby teeth. Over time, they will look smooth, and their size will look normal.

What Happens if a Permanent Tooth Comes in Early?

This sometimes happens, and it can cause a problem with spacing. An extra, unexpected permanent tooth may crowd out the other permanent teeth and make them grow crooked. To prevent this, your child’s dentist may place a temporary spacer in your child’s mouth.

Get Help for Your Whole Family’s Teeth

At Malan Family Dentistry, we work with baby teeth, adult teeth, and teeth of all ages. If you have concerns about your child’s dental health, make an appointment today.