Losing Baby Teeth: Scary And Awesome. But When Does It Start?

It’s a rite of passage for all children: the losing of baby teeth (also called deciduous teeth or milk teeth). But just how many teeth do kids lose, and when does the process begin?

The process of losing baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, begins around the age of six. This is when the first incisors start to wiggle. From there, the process continues until around age 12. In this timeframe, we lose usually a total of 20 baby teeth.

Typically, the first baby teeth to fall out are the upper and lower front teeth (central incisors). The lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars will follow in sequence. 

It is common for baby teeth to fall out in the same order they came in, but this can vary for each child. 

How many teeth do kids lose?

In total, children will lose a total of 20 primary teeth. This includes:

• Four front teeth (also known as incisors) on the top and bottom jaw
• Four cuspids (also known as canines) on the top and bottom jaw
• Eight molars (four on the top and four on the bottom)

As the baby teeth begin to loosen, children may experience some discomfort or soreness in the affected area. It’s not uncommon for children to have trouble sleeping or have trouble eating certain foods. However, this discomfort is usually short-lived, and children will quickly adjust to their new set of teeth.

How about wriggling a loose tooth?

It is recommended to let a loose tooth come out naturally and avoid pulling it out. Wiggling the tooth is okay but be cautious to avoid infection and bleeding.

For children, wiggling the tooth can help them learn about the looseness of the tooth and prevent surprises. Spinning the tooth clockwise and then counter-clockwise can be effective to speed up the tooth’s removal.

Can I help my child?

Yes, if the tooth is really loose. Just don’t try anything too early. But if it is just a matter of days before it comes out anyways you can help.

To make the process less painful, hold an ice cube on the gums before wiggling the tooth out, dry the tooth before removing it (wet it’s hard to hold on to), and inform the child that some bleeding or discomfort may occur but it will be temporary.

After removing the tooth, encourage the child to clean their mouth with warm salt water as it soothes and can act as a mild disinfectant. Cooling the newly formed hole can help to stop the bleeding. 

Consult a dentist if the child experiences severe dental issues or the symptoms listed: 

• intense pain (as it can be a sign of infection)
• loose teeth before age 5, 
• difficulty eating or brushing, 
• plaque buildup, 
• sudden firmness in previously loose tooth 
• failure of primary tooth to loosen when the permanent tooth emerges.

When do permanent teeth come in?

They will start to come in as soon as the baby teeth are going. It varies, sometimes you will see it as soon as the wriggly tooth is out and sometimes it takes its time.

You only need to worry, if the permanent tooth is already there, but the primary tooth doesn’t budge. Or if the baby tooth is gone and the other teeth start to shift without the new tooth showing. Then please contact your dentist.

How many adult teeth are there?

But losing milk teeth is not just about the process of growing up; it’s also about making room for adult teeth. The first set of adult teeth, also known as permanent teeth, start to come in around age six and continue until age 21. In total, adults have 32 permanent teeth, including:

• Four front teeth (incisors) on the top and bottom jaw
• Four cuspids (canines) on the top and bottom jaw
• Eight premolars on the top and bottom jaw
• Twelve molars (six on the top and six on the bottom)

So what should you keep in mind?

Watching your children lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth start to come in is exciting. It reminds us of the constant change and growth we all experience throughout our lives. Losing baby teeth may be a little uncomfortable, but it’s all part of the journey of growing up.

So, how many teeth do you lose before you are grown up? Would you have known that there were 20 of them? I couldn’t remember when I was asked by our big one. Followed with: do molars fall out and grow back? I had to look it up and that was how this article started. I hope I could provide some answers if your child should ask: how many teeth do kids lose? And also concerning some questions you might have.

Just remember: Every child is different and you know your child best. If your child was late with getting teeth, it’s probably also later than others with losing them. 

The first loosening of teeth starts around 5 – 7 years of age. And don’t worry your child will let you know about it. Avoid pulling it out as long as it isn’t nearly coming out on its own.

If you are worried something isn’t right, talk to a dentist.

Losing baby teeth is a normal and exciting part of growing up. Encourage your child to take care of their teeth, brush, and floss regularly, and visit the dentist for regular check-ups. This will help ensure that their permanent teeth come in healthy and strong. And who knows, maybe the Tooth Fairy will even leave a little something special under the pillow.