Losing baby teeth is one of the biggest milestones in a child’s early years, and it’s the first step toward a lifetime smile. Many parents wonder: When should my child’s baby teeth start falling out? and When will their permanent teeth come in?
While every child is different, there’s a general timeline most children follow. Knowing what to expect can help you spot potential problems early. The ideal time for an initial orthodontic exam is age 7, as recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists. This is when there is first a mixture of adult and baby teeth, and early issues can be spotted.
The Basics: Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth
Children typically have 20 baby teeth (also called primary teeth) and will eventually have 32 permanent teeth (including wisdom teeth). The process of losing baby teeth and gaining adult teeth usually happens gradually between ages 6 and 12.
When Do Baby Teeth Fall Out?
Most kids start losing their baby teeth around age 6 or 7, although some begin earlier or later. The order usually follows the same pattern in which the teeth came in:
Lower front teeth (central incisors): ages 6–7
Upper front teeth (central incisors): ages 6–7
Upper and lower lateral incisors: ages 7–8
First molars: ages 9–11
Canines: ages 9–12
Second molars: ages 10–12
It’s common for the lower front teeth to be the first to go, often with a little wiggle time before they fall out naturally.
When Do Permanent Teeth Come In?
Permanent teeth usually erupt shortly after their baby tooth counterparts are lost. The typical timeline is:
First permanent molars (behind the baby molars): ages 6–7
Central incisors: ages 6–8
Lateral incisors: ages 7–9
Canines: ages 9–12
First and second premolars: ages 10–12
Second molars: ages 11–13
Third molars (wisdom teeth): ages 17–21
By around age 12–13, most children have a full set of permanent teeth—except for wisdom teeth.
When to See an Orthodontist
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. This doesn’t mean your child will start treatment right away, but it’s the best time to check that permanent teeth are coming in properly and that there’s enough space for them.
An orthodontic specialist like Dr. Eric Strouse at Strouse Orthodontics in Spring Hill, FL and Lecanto, FL can detect:
Delayed tooth loss or eruption
Crowding or spacing issues
Bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
Impacted or missing teeth
Jaw growth concerns
Catching these issues early can make treatment simpler and help avoid more serious problems later.
Tips for Parents
Encourage your child to wiggle loose teeth gently—never force them out
Keep up with twice-yearly dental visits to monitor tooth health
Watch for adult teeth coming in behind baby teeth (shark teeth)
Contact an orthodontist if teeth seem significantly delayed or out of order
Bottom line: While every child’s timeline is unique, most will begin losing baby teeth around age 6 and have most permanent teeth by age 12–13. Keeping track of these milestones, and scheduling an early orthodontic checkup, helps ensure a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
Call Strouse Orthodontics at 352-688-0331 or schedule online at www.strouseorthodontics.com to book your child’s orthodontic evaluation. We serve families in Spring Hill, Lecanto, and surrounding communities.