We all know that most people start to lose their baby teeth as children, although most people can’t say that they remember back far enough to know which age this process started out – or which order these teeth went to the Tooth Fairy in.
When do kids start losing their teeth, and what are some of the signs that their milk teeth are about to make room for fresh, adult teeth?
Here’s what you should know about kids and when they start to lose their teeth.
At Which Age Does a Kid Start Losing Teeth?
According to Mayo Clinic, most children start to lose their baby teeth at the approximate age of 6.
There are many different factors, including dietary and hormonal ones, that can influence exactly when a kid starts losing teeth.
It is completely normal for some children to lose their milk teeth a couple of years before (or sometimes after) the average age. Unless there are obvious signs of other dental issues, expect that every kid will not lose their teeth from exactly the same age.
Signs Your Teeth Are Falling Out
Most children will start to experience the same symptoms as soon as their teeth start to fall out. Decay is not a normal sign of children losing their teeth, and any cracked, chipped or decayed teeth means that you should get to a dentist!
Normal symptoms for children when they start to lose teeth includes bleeding, loose teeth and itchy gums. Sometimes, children might experience pain – although this is not always the case.A loose tooth (or two) is usually the first sign that a child is about to begin losing teeth. Some children might not notice this, and have a tooth come out while they are sleeping, eating or playing.
If your children have reached past the age of six and haven’t started showing any of the signs that their teeth might be falling out, relax: kids can lose teeth at different ages.
Which Teeth Fall Out First?
Most children tend to lose their teeth in a specific order, with the “weaker” teeth making way for adult growth first, and the stronger, deeper-rooted teeth taking a few more years to come out.
According to most medical resources, the central and lateral incisors – the teeth that see the most use as we chew and slice through food – are the teeth that usually fall out first.
How Many Teeth Do You Lose?
According to the American Dental Association, children lose approximately 2 teeth per year between 5 and 12 years old. Children lose approximately 20 teeth as part of the process that makes room for their “adult” teeth to grow.
Adults have approximately 32 teeth as the growth process completes.
Wisdom teeth are some of the last to come in after molars, and wisdom teeth might wait until someone is in their 20s to 30s before making an appearance.
While rare, it’s possible for some people to have more than 32 teeth – and for these teeth to start growing out later in their life. Unusual, this can require dental surgery, but isn’t necessary for most people!
Which Teeth Fall Out At Age 10?
A child’s teeth typically falls out in a specific order, with the weaker teeth starting to give way at the very start of the process (approximately at age 6 to 7).
The lateral and central incisors are typically first, while at age 10 to 13 the last of the baby teeth (including the molars) will come out.
Wisdom teeth are also part of the process, but most people only see their wisdom teeth come out after they have turned 20!
Do Molars Fall Out?
Yup.
Children are born with “baby teeth” molars, which have to move away to make room for their adult versions later in life. Usually, molar teeth are one of the last teeth to come out and these typically come out closer to the end of the process at about 12 or 13 years of age.
Is Losing Teeth an Early Intelligence Sign?
No!
Losing teeth early just means that your child is losing their teeth earlier, which can be normal – except anywhere signs of tooth decay might be present.
If your child shows any signs of decay in their teeth, all it’s a sign of is that you should watch their sugar intake and see a dentist sooner rather than later.
Can Kids Get a Fever When Losing Teeth?
Yes.
Losing teeth is uncomfortable, and it can provoke an inflammatory reaction from the body – which can commonly include a lot of discomfort together with an associated fever.
The fever can be treated symptomatically, and will usually disappear once the teeth have been lost. See a doctor if there is a consistent fever or any drastic condition change.
What Age Do Kids Stop Losing Teeth?
With the exception of wisdom teeth, kids can stop losing their teeth at between 12 and 13.
