When Do Children’s Teeth Fall Out? A Timeline for Edinburgh Parents
Losing a first tooth is one of childhood’s memorable milestones, greeted with varying degrees of excitement, anxiety, and the inevitable questions about the tooth fairy. For parents, it also raises practical questions: is this happening at the right age? Is the new adult tooth coming through in the right place? Should we see a dentist? These are completely normal concerns, and understanding the typical sequence and timing of tooth loss and adult tooth eruption helps put most situations in reassuring context.
Children’s dental development follows a broadly predictable pattern, though there is considerable natural variation from child to child. Regular visits to a children’s dentist remain the best way to monitor this process and identify any genuine concerns early. This guide gives Edinburgh parents a clear picture of what to expect from the first baby teeth through to the last permanent teeth in the teenage years.
The Two Sets of Teeth: Primary and Permanent
Humans develop two complete sets of teeth over the course of childhood and adolescence. The first set — known as primary teeth, milk teeth, baby teeth, or deciduous teeth — consists of 20 teeth in total. These begin to erupt from around six months of age and are fully established by around the age of two to three. They serve children well through the early years of eating and speaking, and they also reserve space in the jaw for the permanent teeth that will follow.
The second set — the permanent teeth — consists of 32 teeth, including the four wisdom teeth that typically emerge in late adolescence or early adulthood (and which not everyone develops). The process of transitioning from primary to permanent teeth begins around age six and continues until the mid-teens, making it a decade-long journey that happens gradually and largely unnoticed until a tooth becomes noticeably wobbly.
When Baby Teeth Erupt: A Quick Recap
Before covering when teeth fall out, it is helpful to understand when they come in, as the two processes are interconnected. According to dental guidance on deciduous teeth, the 20 primary teeth typically emerge in this sequence:
- Central incisors (front teeth): Lower ones at 6–10 months; upper ones at 8–12 months
- Lateral incisors: Upper at 9–13 months; lower at 10–16 months
- First molars: 13–19 months
- Canines (eye teeth): 16–22 months
- Second molars: 25–33 months
Most children have all 20 primary teeth by the age of three, though some children complete their set a little earlier or later. There is a wide range of what is normal at every stage.
When Do Baby Teeth Start to Fall Out?
The loss of baby teeth is driven by the emergence of permanent teeth beneath them. As the adult tooth develops in the jaw, it puts pressure on the root of the overlying baby tooth, gradually dissolving it. Once the root has been fully reabsorbed, the crown of the baby tooth has nothing to anchor it, and it becomes loose. Most children begin to notice their first wobbly tooth around the age of six, though it is not unusual for this to happen as early as five or as late as seven.
The order in which teeth fall out broadly mirrors the order in which they came in — the lower front central incisors are usually first, followed by the upper central incisors. The back teeth (molars) are the last to go, often not falling out until age 10 to 12. By around twelve to thirteen, most children have lost all of their primary teeth and their permanent dentition is largely in place, with the exception of wisdom teeth.
A Timeline of Tooth Loss
| Tooth Type | Typical Age of Loss | Replaced By |
|---|---|---|
| Lower central incisors | 6–7 years | Permanent lower central incisors |
| Upper central incisors | 6–8 years | Permanent upper central incisors |
| Lateral incisors | 7–8 years | Permanent lateral incisors |
| First primary molars | 9–11 years | First premolars |
| Canines | 9–12 years | Permanent canines |
| Second primary molars | 10–12 years | Second premolars |
Note that the first permanent molars erupt at the very back of the mouth around age six, without replacing any baby teeth. Because they emerge behind all the primary teeth, parents sometimes do not notice them. These first permanent molars are particularly important teeth — they are the largest and most hard-working molars in the mouth and benefit greatly from fissure sealants to protect them from decay in the years before a child’s brushing technique fully matures.
What Is Normal, and What Should Prompt a Dental Visit?
The timeline above shows typical ages, but variation is common. A child who begins losing teeth at five and a half, or who still has most of their baby teeth at age eight, may be entirely within the range of normal. Dental development is influenced by genetics, sex (girls tend to develop earlier than boys), and general health factors.
There are situations, however, where professional assessment is worthwhile:
- A permanent tooth coming through before the baby tooth has fallen out. This is sometimes called a “shark tooth” situation and is particularly common with lower front teeth. The baby tooth should be loose and may need extracting if it does not fall out naturally within a few weeks.
- No sign of adult teeth by age 8, despite primary tooth loss. Worth checking with a dentist to confirm the permanent teeth are developing as expected.
- A baby tooth that appears to be sinking into the gum rather than falling out naturally. This may indicate the permanent tooth underneath is absent or impacted.
- Persistent pain after a tooth falls out. Some brief tenderness is normal, but ongoing pain or swelling should be assessed.
- Significant crowding or misalignment as permanent teeth come through. Early assessment means more options for intervention if orthodontic treatment is needed.
Looking After the New Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth need to last a lifetime — they are not replaceable by natural means. When the adult teeth begin to emerge, it is a good time to reinforce good dental habits, including brushing twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste of at least 1,350ppm, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and attending regular dental check-ups. A dentist may recommend fissure sealants on the back teeth, which are particularly prone to decay, and fluoride varnish applications to strengthen the enamel as it matures.
The transition years, roughly six to twelve, are a period of significant change and vulnerability. The mouth contains a mix of primary and permanent teeth of different sizes, making thorough brushing more challenging. Parental supervision of brushing remains important throughout this period, even as children become more independent in other areas of their daily routine.
When Wisdom Teeth Arrive
Wisdom teeth, or third molars, are the final teeth to erupt. They typically emerge between the ages of seventeen and twenty-five, and not everyone develops all four. Many people have insufficient jaw space to accommodate wisdom teeth comfortably, which can lead to impaction, crowding, or infection. Regular dental x-rays in late adolescence allow a dentist to monitor wisdom tooth development and advise on whether any action is needed.
Our team at Gorgie Road Dental Practice has been helping Edinburgh families navigate every stage of children’s dental development for years. Whether you are wondering about a first wobbly tooth, noticing crowding as adult teeth come through, or simply want to ensure your child’s teeth are developing as they should, we are here to help. Give us a call on 0131 337 3936 to arrange an appointment — we love seeing children grow into healthy, confident smiles.