Quick Answer
The age when people typically start losing their primary (“baby”) teeth is around 6-7 years old. The first teeth to fall out are usually the lower central incisors. By age 12-13, all primary teeth should have fallen out and been replaced by permanent teeth. The wisdom teeth are the last set of permanent teeth to erupt, usually between ages 17-21.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Most babies get their first primary tooth around 6 months of age. However, teething can begin as early as 3 months or as late as 1 year of age. The two bottom front teeth (central incisors) are typically the first to erupt. Teething continues as various teeth push through the gums over the next couple of years until all 20 primary teeth have come in by around age 3.
Primary Teeth Eruption Schedule
| Teeth | Eruption Time |
|---|---|
| Central incisors | 6-12 months |
| Lateral incisors | 9-13 months |
| First molars | 13-19 months |
| Canines (cuspids) | 16-22 months |
| Second molars | 23-31 months |
The primary teeth help a child chew food, speak clearly, and hold space for permanent teeth growing under the gums. Baby teeth also promote proper jaw development and save room for permanent teeth.
When Do Kids Start Losing Baby Teeth?
Around age 6 or 7, kids will begin to lose their first primary teeth as the permanent teeth underneath begin to erupt. This marks the start of the mixed dentition stage when a child has a mix of primary and permanent teeth.
The first primary teeth to fall out are typically the lower central incisors. However, the order and timing of when teeth fall out and are replaced can vary quite a bit between children. Loss of the primary teeth and eruption of the permanent replacements usually spans ages 6 to 13 years.
Typical Tooth Loss Schedule
| Teeth Lost | Age Range |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors | 6-7 years |
| Upper central incisors | 7-8 years |
| Upper and lower lateral incisors | 8-9 years |
| First molars | 9-11 years |
| Canines (cuspids) | 10-12 years |
| Second molars | 10-13 years |
As the permanent teeth come in to take the place of the primary teeth, some kids may need braces to help guide teeth into the proper alignment and bite.
What Are the Last Teeth to Erupt?
The very last set of permanent teeth are the wisdom teeth, also called third molars. Most people have 4 wisdom teeth, one in each quadrant of the mouth. Wisdom teeth usually emerge sometime between ages 17 and 21. However, some people never develop wisdom teeth at all.
Wisdom teeth often have difficulty erupting properly due to lack of sufficient space in the jaws. Partial eruption or impaction is common. Fully or partially impacted wisdom teeth can increase the risk for infection and dental problems such as pain, swelling, or damage to nearby teeth. For this reason, extraction of wisdom teeth is a very common procedure.
Conclusion
The eruption and loss of teeth follows a typical timeline, though the exact ages can vary.
– Baby teeth start coming in around 6 months of age and are all usually in by age 3.
– Kids begin losing their primary teeth around ages 6-7 as the permanent teeth erupt.
– By age 12-13, all primary teeth should be replaced by permanent teeth.
– Wisdom teeth are the last permanent teeth to erupt between ages 17-21.
Regular dental visits can help monitor dental development and spot any potential issues with tooth eruption or alignment. Proper dental hygiene and care helps keep teeth and gums healthy as the cycles of tooth eruption and loss occur.
