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what age do children lose teeth

Most children start losing baby teeth around age 6, and the process usually continues until about 12–13 years old, though anywhere from 4–8 for the first tooth can still be normal.

When children usually start losing teeth

  • Most kids lose their first tooth between ages 6 and 7.
  • Starting as early as 4 or as late as 8 can still be within a normal range, especially if baby teeth came in very early or late.
  • The first teeth to fall out are typically the lower front teeth (lower central incisors), followed by the upper front teeth.

A common parent forum comment in 2024–2025 is: “My 5‑year‑old just lost a tooth, should I worry?” and most pediatric dentists reply that timing alone (4–8 years) is often normal if everything else looks healthy.

Typical age-by-age timeline

Here’s a simple overview of what many dentists describe:

  • Ages 6–7: Lower front teeth usually go first; upper front teeth may follow.
  • Ages 7–9: Side front teeth (lateral incisors) tend to loosen and fall out.
  • Ages 9–11: First baby molars often fall out.
  • Ages 9–12: Baby canines are usually lost in this window.
  • Ages 10–12: Second baby molars are typically the last baby teeth to go.
  • By 12–13: Most children have lost all 20 baby teeth and have most of their permanent teeth in place.

Mini FAQ parents often ask

  • “Is it late if my child hasn’t lost a tooth by 7?”
    • Many dentists say 7–8 can still be normal, but a check‑up is wise if you are worried or if adult teeth are erupting behind baby teeth.
  • “What if my child starts at 4?”
    • Early loss can be normal when baby teeth came in early, but dentists often recommend an exam to rule out trauma, decay, or crowding issues.

Small story-style example

Imagine a child named Leo: his first lower front tooth starts to wiggle in kindergarten at 6, falls out a few weeks later, and the tooth fairy makes her first visit. Over the next few years, his side front teeth and molars gradually follow, and by middle school (around 12) he has a mostly permanent smile except for his later‑erupting molars.

TL;DR: Children usually start losing teeth around age 6, can start anywhere between 4 and 8, and are typically done with baby teeth by about 12–13 years old.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.