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A Guide to Creatively Handling a Child's Dental Health

Losing Baby Teeth: What To Expect

6 May 2016

Bella Snyder

One of a child's major growth milestones is losing his or her first tooth. As a parent, you might see it as a sign that your baby is growing up way too fast. However, the fact is, your child's primary teeth have to fall out at some point so that the child's permanent teeth have room to grow. However, if your child loses a tooth before he or she reaches school age, you might be wondering if he or she is too young to begin losing teeth -- and whether you should be worried that your child lost a tooth at such a young age.

How Old Are Kids When They Start Losing Teeth?

It's common for children to begin losing their baby teeth between ages five and six. However, children can start losing their primary teeth as young as age four or as old as age seven. When your child starts losing baby teeth, you can expect the teeth in the front of the mouth to fall out first. Children typically lose their baby molars between ages ten and 12.

Is the Age a Child Loses Baby Teeth Important?

Your child's baby teeth help him or her learn how to speak and chew properly. However, their main job is to act as a placeholder for your child's permanent teeth. The primary teeth normally remain in place until the permanent teeth push them out when they begin to grow. The age that your child begins losing baby teeth is important, because if the baby tooth falls out too early, there's a chance that the permanent tooth won't grow correctly. Losing baby teeth too early can also cause your child's bite to shift or the gap between the teeth to close so much that the permanent tooth doesn't have the room needed to grow.

When is Losing Baby Teeth Early Okay?

It isn't easy to determine when losing a baby tooth early is too early, because the age span in which children lose their baby teeth is vast. However, it is common for parents to wonder if their child has lost his or her first tooth too early. You shouldn't worry about your child losing baby teeth if:

• The tooth that your child lost is a front, bottom tooth -- these are typically the first teeth children lose.
• You can see that your child's permanent tooth is beginning to grow.
• Your child started teething early. Children that start teething early often begin to lose their baby teeth at an early age.

Whether you're ready or not, your child will eventually start losing his or her baby teeth. Normally, losing a baby tooth isn't a reason to worry. However, if your child is younger than age four or hasn't begin losing his or her baby teeth by age seven, you should consider consulting a pediatric dentist. Click to learn more about this topic.

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