The short answer: the American Academy of Pediatrics says baby teeth ordinarily begin to be shed at about age 6, starting with the middle front teeth (the incisors). Molars in the back are usually shed between ages 10 and 12 and are replaced by permanent teeth by about age 13. Individual children vary.
At what age do children lose their first tooth?
According to the AAP's HealthyChildren.org: "Baby teeth ordinarily are shed first at about age 6 when the incisors, the middle teeth in front, become loose" (https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/When-Children-Begin-to-Lose-their-Baby-Teeth.aspx).
That is the figure to hold in mind, and not a deadline. Some children lose a tooth earlier and some later. The page does not say that early or late is a problem, and neither do we. If you are worried about timing, your dentist can look.
When do the molars come out?
The same source says molars in the back are usually shed between ages 10 and 12, and are replaced with permanent teeth by about age 13. It describes the shedding of primary teeth as generally ending around age 13, when the permanent molars have come in.
So there is a long stretch: roughly the age of 6 to the age of 12 or 13, in which a child is losing teeth on and off. That is many years of tooth fairy nights.
How long is the whole run of lost teeth?
From the AAP's description, about seven years: first front teeth at about 6, molars at 10 to 12, finished by about 13. Between those two ends, the teeth come out one at a time, in no hurry, and in an order that varies.
A quick calculation helps parents plan. If a child loses a tooth every few months, you will have a tooth fairy night every few months for years. A plan that worked for the first tooth has to work for the twentieth. That includes the amount of the gift, the effort of the ritual, and a place to keep the teeth.
Why do baby teeth fall out?
The HealthyChildren.org page explains that erupting permanent teeth cause the roots of baby teeth to be reabsorbed, so by the time a baby tooth is loose there is little holding it in place besides a small amount of tissue. In plain terms, the adult tooth pushes up, the root of the baby tooth dissolves, and the tooth comes loose.
This is why you should not pull a tooth that is not loose. Let the tooth come out on its own. If it seems stuck, or the child is in pain, ask your dentist.
What is the usual order of lost teeth?
The AAP source gives only the broad outline: front incisors first, molars last. We do not state a detailed order for every tooth, because that is not something we could verify from the pages we read. If you want a full chart, your dentist can supply one. Our free tooth chart lets you record the actual order your child follows, which tends to be more useful than a table.
What if my child loses a tooth early?
If a tooth comes out much earlier than usual, or after a fall, a hit, or an infection, call your dentist. A tooth lost to an injury is different from one that falls out on schedule.
What if my child is a late loser?
Many parents worry. We do not have a source that sets a cutoff, so we will not give one. Dentists check on this at regular visits, and your dentist can tell you if a child is within a normal range.
How can I prepare for the whole run?
Parents who have been through it tend to say the same few things:
- Pick a ritual that scales. Something small enough that you can repeat it twenty times.
- Keep the teeth in one place. A single container with dates, so you do not find a tooth in a coat pocket five years later.
- Take one photo per tooth. A photo of the gap, with the date.
- Keep a chart. The date, the tooth, the story.
- Decide the gift amount early. A rule you can keep through all twenty teeth.
Our kit is built around this idea. The vial holds all of a child's baby teeth, the sticker sheet lets you label each date, and the Gift Set adds silver and copper markers so the vial does not look the same every time.
What about permanent teeth?
Permanent teeth replace baby teeth and are meant to last. The tooth fairy tradition is mainly about baby teeth. If a permanent tooth is knocked out, that is a dental emergency, and you should call a dentist right away, not put it under a pillow.
How do I record when my child's teeth come out?
A table or a chart with columns for the date, which tooth, and what happened. A few parents keep a note on their phone. Others write directly on the vial label. The best system is the one you will actually update.
FAQ
At what age do kids start losing baby teeth? About age 6, according to the AAP, starting with the middle front teeth.
When do kids lose their back teeth? Molars are usually shed between ages 10 and 12, and replaced by about age 13.
What if my child has not lost a tooth by 7? Timing varies. Ask your dentist if you are concerned.
How many baby teeth do children lose? Children have 20 baby teeth, and each one is replaced over the years.
Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org, "When Children Begin to Lose their Baby Teeth" (opened and read 2026-10-01); Delta Dental, "Stages of Tooth Development" for the count of 20 baby teeth (https://www.deltadental.com/protect-my-smile/life-stages/infants-toddlers/timeline-for-teeth/, opened and read 2026-10-01).