A Parent’s Guide to Losing Teeth From The Dental Care Group Kids
One of the most exciting milestones in your child’s life is losing their first tooth! But as a parent, you might have questions: When should baby teeth start falling out? Is my child losing teeth too early or too late? What happens if a baby tooth gets knocked out in an accident?
At Dental Care Group Kids, we’ve been guiding families through these milestones for over 25 years in Aventura and Pembroke Pines. Let’s answer the most common questions parents have about baby teeth falling out.
Have questions about your child’s baby teeth? Call Dental Care Group Kids: Aventura pediatric dentists (305) 935-1613 | Pembroke Pines pediatric dentists (954) 430-2300.
Hear From Dr. Rick Mars
When Do Baby Teeth Typically Fall Out?
Most children start losing their baby teeth between the ages of five and seven. However, every child is different, and the timing can vary.
Interesting fact: Girls often lose their baby teeth earlier than boys!
Which Teeth Fall Out First?
The lower front teeth (bottom incisors) are usually the first to go. This is the same order in which baby teeth originally came in—first in, first out!
After the lower front teeth, children typically lose:
- Upper front teeth (top incisors)
- Lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front teeth)
- First molars
- Canines (the pointy teeth)
- Second molars
Most children lose all their baby teeth by age 12 or 13.
What If My Child’s Teeth Are Loose But Not Falling Out?
It’s completely normal for baby teeth to feel wobbly for days or even weeks before they fall out. The permanent tooth growing underneath gradually dissolves the baby tooth’s root, causing the baby tooth to loosen.
What you can tell your child: Wiggling the tooth gently with their tongue is fine, but they shouldn’t force it out. The tooth will fall out when it’s ready!
Is My Child Losing Teeth Too Early or Too Late?
Early tooth loss (before age 4)
If your child is losing baby teeth very early, it could be due to:
- Injury or trauma
- Tooth decay may cause premature tooth loss
- Gum disease (rare in children)
- Certain medical conditions
Late tooth loss (after age 8 with no movement)
If your child hasn’t lost any teeth by age seven or eight, possible reasons include:
- Genetics (some families just lose teeth later)
- No permanent teeth developing underneath (rare)
- Crowding that is preventing teeth from loosening
When to call us: If your child loses teeth before age four or hasn’t lost any teeth by age eight, schedule a dental exam. We can take X-rays to ensure everything is developing normally.
Should I Worry If a Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out?
Accidents happen! Whether it’s a tumble on the playground or a sports injury, baby teeth sometimes get knocked out before they’re ready to fall out on their own.
The good news: Knocked-out baby teeth are usually not a dental emergency in the same way that knocked-out permanent teeth are. We do not replant baby teeth, even if they’re knocked out early.
Why we don’t replant baby teeth:
- The permanent tooth is developing underneath
- Replanting could damage the developing permanent tooth
- Baby teeth are meant to fall out anyway
What to Do Immediately After a Baby Tooth Is Knocked Out
Step 1: Stay Calm
Your child will look to you for reassurance. Even if there’s blood, stay calm and comfort your child.
Step 2: Stop the Bleeding
- Rinse your child’s mouth gently with water
- Have your child bite down on clean gauze or a soft cloth
- Apply gentle pressure for at least five minutes
- If bleeding doesn’t stop after 15-20 minutes of pressure, call us
Step 3: Check for Other Injuries
- Look for cuts on the lips, gums, or tongue
- Check if any other teeth are loose, chipped, or pushed out of position
- Make sure no pieces of the tooth are missing (if pieces are missing, they could be embedded in the lip or gum)
Step 4: Manage Pain and Swelling
- Give age-appropriate pain medication (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
- Apply a cold compress to the outside of the mouth for 10-15 minutes
- Offer cold foods like popsicles or ice cream to soothe the area
Step 5: Call Dental Care Group Kids
Even though a knocked-out baby tooth isn’t usually a dental emergency, you should still call us to:
- Make sure there’s no damage to the developing permanent tooth
- Check for any fragments left in the gum
- Ensure no other teeth were damaged
- Discuss whether a space maintainer is needed
When a Knocked-Out Baby Tooth IS an Emergency
Call us immediately or go to the emergency room if:
- Bleeding won’t stop after 15-20 minutes of pressure
- Your child lost consciousness during the injury
- There’s a deep cut that might need stitches
- You suspect a jaw injury
- Multiple teeth are knocked out or severely damaged
- Your child has difficulty breathing or swallowing
- Part of the tooth is missing, and you can’t find it (it may be embedded in tissue)
Will Losing a Baby Tooth Early Affect the Permanent Tooth?
In most cases, no! The permanent tooth will still come in as expected. However, there are some considerations:
Space maintenance: If a baby tooth is lost very early (more than a year before the permanent tooth is ready to erupt), the surrounding teeth might shift into the empty space. This can cause crowding issues when the permanent tooth tries to come in.
Solution: We may recommend a space maintainer—a small device that holds the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt. Future orthodontic treatment, like braces or Invisalign, can also rectify unaddressed crowding issues down the line. These treatments tend to take more time and be more expensive than a space maintainer.
Monitoring: We’ll want to monitor the area to ensure the permanent tooth develops and erupts normally.
Caring for Your Child’s Mouth During Tooth Loss
Even with loose or missing teeth, continue brushing twice a day. Be gentle around wobbly teeth, but don’t skip them. If a tooth is very loose or has just fallen out, stick to soft foods for a day or two to keep your child comfortable.
For older children, a gentle saltwater rinse can help keep the area clean and reduce discomfort.
Never try to pull out a tooth that isn’t ready. Let nature take its course.
Give Your Child the Best Start for Their Permanent Smile
At Dental Care Group Kids, we’re here to support your family through every dental milestone, from the first baby tooth to the last one falling out. Our experienced pediatric dentists make every visit comfortable and educational, helping your child develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Whether your child just lost their first tooth, you’re concerned about tooth development, or you need emergency care after an accident, Dental Care Group Kids is here to help. To schedule your child’s first visit or if you have any questions, please call our Aventura dental office at (305) 935-1613 or our Pembroke Pines dental office at (954) 430-2300.