When Do Permanent Teeth Come In?

If you find yourself wondering "When do baby teeth fall out," know that most children lose their baby teeth during the early elementary years, but each child is different. Your child might be the first one in his class to lose a tooth, or he might hang on to his longer than his best friend or even his older brother. Keep in mind that the average age is just that. It does not mean anything is wrong if your child falls outside the range. If, however, you are ever concerned about the health of your child's teeth, make an appointment to discuss your worries with his dentist.

Most kids lose their first tooth in the years between kindergarten and first grade at the average age of six to seven years old. Don't worry if your child hits his eighth birthday before he loses his first tooth. What is more important is the order in which the teeth fall out and are replaced with permanent teeth. You might notice that your child loses his teeth in roughly the same order they came in. For example, most children lose their bottom center teeth first, which are likely the first ones that erupted when he was a baby.

Baby teeth are supposed to fall out, but if you or your child are still wondering when do baby teeth fall out, talk with a dentist. In some strange cases, some of the permanent teeth may be missing, which may make a baby tooth stick around longer since there is not an adult tooth there to loosen it. If dental problems or missing teeth run in the family, make your child's dentist aware of the problem so he can watch for it.