When Do Milk Teeth Fall Out, and When Do Permanent Teeth Come In?

Milk teeth generally begin to fall out at the age of five. They’re gradually replaced by permanent teeth. It takes about three years for the last milk tooth to come in after the first one sprouts.

Usually the first teeth to come in are the first to fall out. However, to clear up any doubts, it’s good to know the order in which milk teeth fall out.

When do milk teeth start to come out?

Infant teething begins at 5 months of age. However, it isn’t until 6 or 8 months that the first teeth begin to appear. 

Some babies’ teeth come in earlier than others. Everything depends on their rate of growth.

These teeth not only allow them to speak and eat, but they hold an equally important purpose: they occupy the space where the permanent teeth will eventually come in.

Order in which milk teeth come in

The first teeth to appear are the lower incisors, usually at around 6 months of age. The upper incisors immediately follow at 8 months of age.

Typically, the lateral incisors come in next, followed by the molars. Those that come in last are the second molars, which sometimes don’t erupt until the child turns 3 years old.

How do milk teeth fall out?

Milk teeth begin to fall out when the permanent tooth begins to press on the baby tooth. This pressure causes the tooth to slowly loosen due to the wear on the root until it falls. 

Once this has happened, a gap appears, which is where the new tooth will be placed. The tooth will begin to move until it falls or until it’s intentionally removed to prevent the child from swallowing it.

In what order do children’s milk teeth fall out?

It’s normal for children around the age of five to notice that some of their teeth are moving. This is a sign that the dental renewal process has begun.

It’s necessary to clarify that, although there are estimates, it isn’t known with certainty in which order your child’s milk teeth will fall out. As we mentioned previously, different factors can influence this process.

Lower teeth

• Central incisors: often, the central incisors are the first to fall, and this occurs between five and a half and six years of age.
• Lateral incisors: they’re the next ones to fall, toward the age of six and a half.
• Canines and first molars: these fall out at the age of 9 and a half years
• Second molars: they fall a year later, around 10 and a half years

Upper teeth

• Central and lateral incisors: they tend to come out almost at the same time as the lower incisors, around 6 and a half years.
• Molars and canines: the first molars fall out at 9 and a half years, while canines fall out around 10 and a half years
• Second molars: they come out last, around 10 and a half years

7 Interesting facts about milk teeth

If you thought you knew everything about milk teeth, here are some interesting facts that may surprise you:

1. Some babies are born with erupted milk teeth
2. Milk teeth do have roots
3. Some children experience a condition called “shark teeth” as their permanent teeth erupt. This occurs when the permanent teeth come in just behind the milk teeth, without the milk teeth falling out first.
   

   

4. Permanent teeth aren’t as white as milk teeth. They’re also less sharp.
5. Permanent teeth are larger than milk teeth.
6. The permanent molars begin to erupt at 6 years.
7. There are 20 milk teeth but 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.

To maintain healthy milk teeth, they must be cleaned properly, just like permanent teeth. Explaining to your child the order in which milk teeth will fall out can help calm his or her anxiety.

Remember that once the milk teeth are replaced by the permanent teeth, there are no natural replacements.