Most children begin losing their baby teeth around age 6, and the process usually continues until about age 12. The two bottom front teeth, known as the lower central incisors, are normally the first to go. There is a wide range of normal here: some children start a little earlier at age 5, and others not until age 7, and both are usually nothing to worry about. Teeth tend to fall out in roughly the same order they came through, and they often do so symmetrically, one side mirroring the other.

This guide walks you through the full timeline, helps you judge whether your child is on track, explains the common dental “rules” you may have read about, and sets out exactly what to do if a tooth is knocked loose. There is a printable tracker and a couple of simple tools you can save along the way.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from your child’s dentist. If something does not look right, a check-up is always the safest next step.

The Complete Baby Tooth Loss Timeline (What to Expect)

Baby teeth are shed in a sequential, fairly predictable pattern that generally mirrors the order in which they first erupted. As a guide, lower teeth tend to fall out before the matching upper teeth, and the front teeth go before the back ones. Children have 20 baby teeth in total, and each one is gradually replaced by an adult tooth pushing up from underneath.

The “Tooth Fairy” Timeline Chart

Typical age	Teeth usually lost	What is happening
6 to 7 years	Lower then upper central incisors (the front teeth)	The first wobbles. First adult molars also come through at the back around this time, without any baby tooth falling out first.
7 to 8 years	Lateral incisors (either side of the front teeth)	Adult front teeth settle in and the next pair starts to loosen.
9 to 11 years	First baby molars and lower canines	The back baby teeth begin to make way for premolars.
10 to 12 years	Upper canines and second baby molars	The last baby teeth are shed. By around 12 to 13, most children have their full set of adult teeth, apart from wisdom teeth.

Print Our Tooth Tracker

Stick this on the fridge and let your child mark off each tooth as it falls out. It is a lovely keepsake, and it also helps you notice if anything is coming through out of the usual order.

Tooth	Date it fell out	Adult tooth through? (Y/N)
Lower front teeth (central incisors)
Upper front teeth (central incisors)
Lateral incisors
Canines
First baby molars
Second baby molars

Is Your Child’s Tooth Loss Normal? (A Simple Age Check)

The honest answer for most families is yes. Timing varies a great deal from one child to the next. Here is how to think about it at different ages.

Age 4 to 5

Losing a tooth at age 5 sits at the early end of normal and is usually fine. Losing one closer to age 4 is less common, so it is worth a quick dental visit, mostly to confirm the tooth came out on its own rather than because of decay or a knock. A baby tooth lost very early for those reasons can affect the spacing for the adult tooth underneath, which is something your dentist can keep an eye on.

You may also have heard that early tooth loss signals early puberty. There is no direct cause and effect here. Children who develop a little faster overall sometimes lose teeth slightly earlier too, but a wobbly tooth at 5 is not a reason for concern about puberty on its own.

Age 6 to 7

This is the classic window. Most children lose their first tooth somewhere in here, and the bottom front teeth lead the way. No action needed beyond the usual brushing, healthy snacks and regular check-ups.

Age 7 and beyond with no teeth lost yet

Still usually normal variation. If your child reaches age 8 without losing a single tooth, a check-up and possibly a simple X-ray is a sensible idea, just to confirm the adult teeth are present and developing beneath the gums.

When to Wait, and When to Call the Dentist

You can usually wait if…	Book a dental visit if…
The tooth is simply loose and not painful. Wobbly teeth can take weeks to come out, and that is fine.	An adult tooth is erupting behind a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out (sometimes called “shark teeth”). This is common and often resolves, but a check is wise.
Your child is gently wiggling it themselves and it is making steady progress.	No baby teeth have fallen out by age 8.
A new gap has appeared and the adult tooth is starting to show in roughly the right spot.	A tooth has come out very early because of decay or a knock, or there is pain, swelling or bleeding that does not settle.

Decoding the Dental “Rules”: the 7-4 Rule and the 2-2-2 Rule

Dentists use a few simple numerical sayings to help parents remember dental milestones and good habits. They are rough guides, not strict laws, so treat them as handy memory aids rather than something to measure your child against to the day.

The 7-4 Rule (Teething)

This one is about babies and toddlers rather than school-age children. The 7-4 rule is a simple way to estimate how many teeth a young child should have. The idea is that the first teeth usually appear at around 7 months of age, and from there roughly 4 new teeth tend to come through every 4 months or so. By the time most children turn 3, all 20 baby teeth are generally in place. Plenty of healthy children run ahead of or behind this pattern, so it is a guide only.

The 2-2-2 Rule (Daily Habits)

This is the one worth pinning to the bathroom mirror. The 2-2-2 rule is an easy reminder of healthy dental habits: brush 2 times a day, for 2 minutes each time, and visit the dentist about every 6 months (twice a year). For young children, an adult should help with brushing until they have the coordination to do a thorough job on their own, usually around age 7 or 8.

A Simple 2-2-2 Habit Tracker

Print this for the week and let your child tick off each brush. Two minutes, morning and night.

	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun
Morning brush
Night brush

Dental Emergencies: a Knocked or Loose Tooth, and Toothaches

If your child knocks a baby tooth loose in a fall or knock, stay calm and do not pull it out. Apply a cold compress to the outside of the cheek to ease swelling, offer soft foods, and call your dentist so they can advise and see your child promptly. Most knocked baby teeth are best left to settle or, if needed, assessed by your dentist rather than removed at home.

Step by Step: a Knocked or Loose Baby Tooth

1. Check your child first, not just the tooth. If there is a head injury, a possible concussion (drowsiness, vomiting, confusion), or heavy bleeding that will not stop, treat that as the priority and seek urgent medical care or go to your nearest emergency department.
2. Do not try to re-insert a baby tooth that has come fully out. Unlike an adult tooth, a baby tooth should never be pushed back into the socket, because it can damage the developing adult tooth underneath. (An adult tooth knocked out is a true emergency, so keep it moist in milk and see a dentist immediately.)
3. Control any bleeding. Have your child bite down gently on a clean piece of gauze or a clean cloth for around 10 minutes.
4. Ease the discomfort. A cold compress on the cheek helps. If pain relief is needed, use a children’s pain reliever suited to your child’s age and weight, following the directions on the packet or asking your pharmacist. Never give aspirin to a child.
5. Call the dentist. Phone the practice the same day so the tooth and the gum can be checked.

What About the “3-3-3 Rule” for Toothache?

You may have seen the 3-3-3 rule mentioned online. It is an informal guide for adults to manage tooth pain while waiting to see a dentist, and it refers to taking ibuprofen at an adult dose, three times a day, for no more than three days. It is not designed for children. Children must only be given pain relief at a dose matched to their age and weight, as printed on the packet or advised by your pharmacist or doctor. The adult tablet count in the 3-3-3 rule does not apply to them.

Just as importantly, pain relief only masks the problem. A toothache is a sign something needs attention, so book a dental visit. Do not wait it out if your child has facial or gum swelling, a fever, trouble swallowing, or simply seems unwell, as these can point to an infection that needs prompt care.

Looking Ahead: Are They Ready for an Orthodontic Check?

No, age 7 is not too early for a first orthodontic check. In fact, the Australian Society of Orthodontists suggests children have their first orthodontic assessment at around age 7. An assessment at this age rarely means braces are fitted straight away. Because your child has a mix of baby and adult teeth at this stage, it is simply a good moment to see how the jaw and adult teeth are developing and to plan the best timing if any treatment is ever needed.

Worth asking about an assessment now if…	Likely fine to simply keep monitoring if…
There is a crossbite, an underbite, or noticeable crowding.	The jaw appears to be developing normally.
Your child has difficulty chewing or breathes mainly through the mouth.	Teeth are falling out on a fairly standard timeline.
Baby teeth were lost very early or very late.	Even so, a routine check around age 7 is still a good idea so nothing is missed.

Your child’s dentist can carry out this early check during a regular visit and, if anything needs a closer look, refer you to an orthodontist for specialist assessment.

Three Questions to Ask at an Age-7 Check

1. Are the adult teeth and jaw developing as expected for my child’s age?
2. Is there anything we should watch, and if so, when is the ideal time to act?
3. Are there any habits at home, such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing, that we should address now?

A Friendly Local Check-Up for Growing Smiles

Watching your child lose their first tooth is one of the small milestones of growing up, and most of the time it unfolds exactly as it should. Regular check-ups simply give you peace of mind that the adult teeth are arriving on track.

The Kurmond Dentist looks after families right across the Hawkesbury, from Kurmond and North Richmond to Richmond, Windsor, Kurrajong and beyond. We see children every day and aim to make each visit calm and unhurried. We are an ADA member practice with on-site HICAPS for easy health fund claiming, and we are happy to talk through eligibility for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule for families who qualify.

If your child has a tooth that is worrying you, or it is simply time for a routine check-up, we would be glad to welcome you to the practice.