Losing baby teeth and getting permanent adult teeth is an important part of growing up. Most children begin losing their first baby teeth around age 6 or 7. But some children lose their baby teeth later than others. So how old was the oldest person to lose their last baby tooth?
When do most kids lose their baby teeth?
Baby teeth, also called primary teeth or deciduous teeth, serve an important purpose in childhood development. They help kids chew and speak properly. They also hold space for permanent teeth growing under the gums.
Humans typically have 20 baby teeth, 10 on top and 10 on the bottom. These include:
- 4 central incisors (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
- 4 lateral incisors (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
- 4 canines (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
- 4 first molars (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
- 4 second molars (2 on top, 2 on bottom)
Most children start losing their first baby tooth around age 6. The two bottom central incisors are usually the first teeth to go. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), this first tooth loss often coincides with a child’s sixth birthday.
Between ages 6-12, kids lose all 20 primary teeth as the permanent teeth grow in to take their place. The upper and lower molars are generally the last baby teeth to fall out. Most kids have lost all their primary teeth by age 13.
Primary Teeth Eruption and Shedding
Here is the typical eruption schedule for primary teeth and when they shed:
| Tooth Type | Eruption Age | Shedding Age |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 6-12 months | 6-7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 9-13 months | 7-8 years |
| First molars | 13-19 months | 9-11 years |
| Canines | 16-22 months | 10-12 years |
| Second molars | 25-33 months | 10-12 years |
As you can see from the table, most kids will have lost all their baby teeth by age 12 or 13. But in rare cases, primary teeth may be retained past this age.
Delayed Tooth Loss (Primary Teeth Retention)
It’s quite uncommon for primary teeth to be retained past age 13. However, it can happen for various reasons:
- Genetics – Delayed dental development sometimes runs in families.
- Nutritional deficiencies – Poor nutrition can affect tooth formation and shedding schedule.
- Syndromes – Some genetic syndromes are linked to delayed tooth loss.
- Trauma – Injury to a baby tooth may delay its shedding.
- Crowding – Lack of space for permanent teeth to erupt may delay shedding.
- Other medical conditions – Endocrine disorders or radiation therapy can affect shedding.
Kids who still have primary teeth past age 13 should see a pediatric dentist. The dentist can monitor their dental development and decide if any intervention is needed.
World Records for Delayed Tooth Loss
There are a few documented cases of people who held on to their baby teeth into adolescence or beyond:
- A 17-year-old Chinese boy was reported to still have all his primary teeth in 2015. None of his permanent teeth had erupted yet.
- In 2006, a Taiwanese boy lost his last baby tooth at age 20.
- A 35-year-old man in India lost his last primary tooth in 2015 after decades of retention.
Based on these reports, it appears the oldest known age for shedding the last baby tooth is around 20 years old. However, there may be undocumented cases of even older people retaining primary teeth into adulthood.
Impacts of Delayed Tooth Loss
Retaining primary teeth past the normal age can cause several issues:
- Permanent tooth impaction – Adult teeth may have trouble erupting if baby teeth don’t shed.
- Malocclusion – Improper bite alignment due to primary teeth occupying needed space.
- Periodontal disease – Gum inflammation around retained baby teeth.
- Tooth decay – Cavities become more likely the longer baby teeth are retained.
- Aesthetic issues – Older children may feel self-conscious about “baby” teeth.
Fortunately, interventions like extractions or orthodontics can help guide permanent teeth into place if primary teeth are retained too long.
Tips to Avoid Delayed Tooth Loss
While genetics plays a big role in shedding baby teeth on time, there are some things parents can do to help the process:
- Get regular dental checkups every 6 months to monitor dental development.
- Ensure kids eat a healthy, balanced diet with proper nutrients.
- Avoid injuries and mouth trauma that could damage developing teeth.
- Address habits like thumb-sucking that may affect tooth eruption.
- See an orthodontist for crowding issues to make space for adult teeth.
Proper dental care and nutrition from an early age can help set most kids up to lose baby teeth on schedule. But some retention past age 13 is still considered normal, as everyone’s timing is a little different.
When to Seek Help for Retained Primary Teeth
As a general guideline, parents should take their child to a dentist if:
- No teeth have been lost by age 7.
- Less than 10 primary teeth have been lost by age 10.
- Any primary teeth remain past age 13.
The dentist can then monitor dental development, diagnose any issues, and decide if interventions are required.
Conclusion
Losing baby teeth and getting adult teeth is an important milestone. While most kids complete this process by age 13, rare cases of primary tooth retention into the late teens or beyond have been reported.
The oldest known age for shedding the last baby tooth is around 20 years old. However, the current world record holder is likely undocumented. Retaining primary teeth too long can cause problems, so it’s important to see a dentist if baby teeth aren’t being lost on schedule.
With proper dental care and nutrition, most kids will shed their final baby tooth sometime between ages 10-13. But for a small number of patients, becoming an official adult in the dental sense extends into the late teens or even 20s.