Last updated: October 2026. Sources: NHS.uk, NHS inform, GOV.UK (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), GOV.WALES, the HSC Business Services Organisation (Northern Ireland), Childsmile, the British Orthodontic Society, the Royal College of Surgeons of England, the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry and NHS trust patient information. All ages, figures and eligibility rules verified on 16 October 2026.
TL;DR Most children lose their first baby tooth at around 5 to 7, usually a front tooth, and their last baby teeth between about 10 and 13. Timing varies a lot from child to child and is usually normal. Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in. NHS dental care is free for children in every UK nation.
Your child's first wobbly tooth is a big moment, and it usually comes with questions. Is it happening too early or too late? Which tooth goes next? What if the adult tooth is already poking through behind it? This guide explains when children usually lose their baby teeth, the order they tend to fall out in, what is normal and when it is worth asking a dentist.
It draws on guidance from the NHS (National Health Service), NHS hospital trusts, the British Orthodontic Society and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, and it covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Every child develops at their own pace, so your child's dentist is always the best person to check how their teeth are coming along.
When children start losing baby teeth
Children have a full set of 20 baby teeth, also called milk teeth, by about the age of 3. NHS inform explains that "A child should have a full set of 20 milk teeth by age 3. They'll keep this set for another few years." [1]
The first of those teeth usually starts to loosen a few years later. NHS guidance gives slightly different ages, which is a good reminder that there is no single "right" age:
- NHS inform says "Milk teeth should start to gradually fall out between the ages of 5 and 6. Adult teeth grow in shortly after." [1]
- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust says "Your child will begin losing their baby teeth around the age of six." [2]
- A baby teeth chart from Derbyshire Family Health Service, an NHS service, gives 6 to 7 years for the middle front teeth [3].
Put together, most children lose their first baby tooth somewhere between about 5 and 7. A child who starts a little earlier or later than their classmates is usually nothing to worry about. The British Orthodontic Society's guidance for dentists notes that "dental age of a patient may differ quite widely from their chronological age and a generalised delay in eruption may be of no consequence." [4]
The adult teeth are not new arrivals. They have been forming in the jaw for years, underneath the baby teeth. Derbyshire Family Health Service describes baby teeth "holding the space for the adult (permanent) teeth which are already forming in the jaw" [3], and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry says milk teeth "hold space for the second teeth to descend into." [24]
When the last baby teeth fall out
The final baby teeth to go are the canines and the back molars, and the timing here varies even more:
- Sheffield Children's says "The last baby tooth is usually lost around the age of 12 years." [2]
- The Derbyshire chart gives 10 to 12 years for the second baby molars and the upper canines, and 9 to 12 years for the lower canines [3].
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust notes that "Some baby molars do not fall out until age 13 years, which is quite normal" [5].
So the last baby teeth usually fall out between about 10 and 13. By the early teens most children have their adult set. NHS inform says "A child should have lost all their baby teeth and have a full set of 28 adult teeth between the ages of 12 and 14." [1]
That full set is 28 teeth, not 32. The last four, the wisdom teeth, come much later if they come at all. NHS inform says a full adult set "will amount to 32 teeth in total. This includes the wisdom teeth", which "can be expected between the ages of 17 and 21", and adds that "For some people, wisdom teeth don't grow in at all." [1]
Baby teeth to adult teeth at a glance
| Stage | Typical age | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Full set of 20 baby teeth | By about 3 | [1] |
| First baby teeth start to fall out | About 5 to 7 | [1] [2] [3] |
| First permanent molars come through at the back | About 6 to 7 | [6] |
| Last baby teeth fall out | About 10 to 13 | [2] [3] [5] |
| Full set of 28 adult teeth | 12 to 14 | [1] |
| Wisdom teeth, if they develop | 17 to 21 | [1] |
The order baby teeth fall out
Baby teeth usually start falling out at the front and work backwards. Sheffield Children's explains that "The first teeth to be lost are usually the lower and upper front teeth." [2]
The Derbyshire Family Health Service chart gives these approximate ages for each baby tooth falling out [3]:
| Baby tooth | Upper jaw | Lower jaw | Replaced by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central incisor (middle front tooth) | 6 to 7 years | 6 to 7 years | Adult central incisor |
| Lateral incisor (next to the middle) | 7 to 8 years | 7 to 8 years | Adult lateral incisor |
| First molar | 9 to 11 years | 9 to 11 years | First premolar |
| Canine (eye tooth) | 10 to 12 years | 9 to 12 years | Adult canine |
| Second molar | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years | Second premolar |
The baby molars are not replaced by adult molars. Instead, the smaller premolars come through in their place, as the British Orthodontic Society's guidance on the loss of baby molars and "the second premolar space" reflects [4]. The large adult molars grow in behind all of the baby teeth.
The British Orthodontic Society describes the adult teeth arriving in two main waves: "The first occurs between the dental ages of 6 and 8 years when the permanent incisors and first permanent molars erupt; the second between the ages of 11 and 12 when permanent canines, premolars and second molars erupt." [4] Going by those ages, there can be a gap of a few years between the two waves when little seems to change.
The 6-year molars: adult teeth that arrive at the back
The first adult teeth many children get are not at the front at all. The first permanent molars, often called the 6-year molars, come through at the very back of the mouth. The Royal College of Surgeons of England says "Eruption of the FPM occurs around the age of 6-7 years" (FPM meaning first permanent molar) [6].
These molars do not push out a baby tooth. Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust explains that "Some children can experience discomfort when their adult or permanent molars come through, behind their baby teeth (from about 6 years of age)." [7] The same trust suggests discomfort can be managed with pain relief and good brushing in the area [7].
They matter because they have to last a lifetime, and they are at risk. The British Orthodontic Society notes that "The first permanent molar continues to be the most caries prone tooth in the permanent dentition." [4] Caries is the clinical word for tooth decay. The Royal College of Surgeons of England adds that their position at the back of the mouth "can make it susceptible to dental caries" [6].
This is why dentists sometimes suggest fissure sealants once these teeth are through. NHS.uk explains that sealants "can be done once your child's permanent back teeth have started to come through (usually at the age of about 6 or 7) and again when the rest of their teeth come through between 11 and 14 years." [8] Make sure the toothbrush reaches right to the back when you help your child brush.
Wobbly teeth and when a tooth comes out
As the adult tooth develops underneath, the baby tooth above it gradually becomes wobbly and eventually falls out, and the adult tooth grows in shortly after [1] [5]. For most children this is a gradual, natural process.
A tooth that loosens naturally is quite different from one that is knocked loose by a fall or a bump. NHS inform says "Knocking out or displacing (moving out of position) a tooth is a dental emergency." [10] If your child's tooth has moved because of an injury, contact a dentist rather than waiting to see what happens. There is more on this in the section on baby teeth lost to injury below.
It is worth mentioning a wobbly tooth to your child's dentist if:
- it is causing pain, or the gum around it looks swollen
- the adult tooth has come through but the baby tooth is still firmly in place
- teeth are coming through very unevenly, for example on one side but not the other
- you are worried about bleeding from the gap that does not settle
The British Orthodontic Society's guidance for dentists says "A change in the sequence of eruption or an asymmetrical eruption pattern may indicate an abnormality and should be investigated further" [4], so uneven progress is a sensible thing to raise at a check-up. If your child is in pain and you cannot reach a dentist, NHS 111 can advise you [9].
Adult teeth coming through behind baby teeth
Parents sometimes notice a new adult tooth appearing behind a baby tooth that has not yet fallen out, for example with the lower front teeth. Some families call this "shark teeth" because of the double row it creates.
The British Orthodontic Society's guidance lists removing "deciduous teeth displacing their permanent successors" as one of the simple steps a dentist can take [4] (deciduous teeth is the clinical term for baby teeth). In other words, whether the baby tooth needs a helping hand is a clinical decision for your child's dentist, who can look at how loose it is and where the adult tooth is heading.
Slight crowding of new front teeth is also common. The same guidance says "In the majority of children, the permanent incisors erupt into mildly crowded positions and anxious parents first become aware of crooked teeth. Their alignment frequently improves with subsequent alveolar growth. Reassurance may be all that is required at this stage." [4] Alveolar growth means growth of the jawbone that holds the teeth. If you are unsure, book a check rather than trying to remove the tooth yourself.
Losing baby teeth early or late: when to ask a dentist
If your child seems late
Children vary a lot. As the British Orthodontic Society puts it, a child's dental age can differ "quite widely" from their actual age, and a general delay "may be of no consequence." [4] A child of 7 with no wobbly teeth yet may simply be on a later timetable.
One useful pattern to watch is whether teeth on each side of the mouth keep roughly in step. The same guidance tells dentists that "A tooth will normally erupt within six months of its contra-lateral tooth" [4], meaning the matching tooth on the other side. If one adult front tooth came through many months ago and its partner has not appeared, mention it at the next check-up.
Missing adult teeth
Occasionally a baby tooth stays put because there is no adult tooth underneath to replace it. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust says "In the UK, 3-5% of the population are born with missing teeth." [23] The British Orthodontic Society notes that developmental absence "commonly affects lower central and upper lateral incisors and second premolars." [4] A dentist can check whether the adult teeth are developing and refer your child for specialist advice if needed.
If baby teeth are lost early
A baby tooth lost early, through decay or injury, can sometimes affect the space for the adult tooth. The British Orthodontic Society explains that "In cases where crowding is absent, early loss of deciduous teeth will have little or no effect on the permanent dentition", but that where crowding is present, "Loss of second deciduous molars leads to a greater loss of space than loss of the first deciduous molars." [4] It adds that space maintainers, small appliances that hold a gap open, are "seldom indicated" at this stage, and that "The best space maintainer is the patient's own deciduous dentition!" [4] That is one more reason to look after baby teeth until they fall out naturally.
Baby teeth lost to decay or injury
Tooth decay
Not every baby tooth falls out naturally. The most recent national survey of 5 year olds in England, carried out in the 2023 to 2024 school year and published by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in 2025, found that "22.4% of 5 year old schoolchildren in England in this survey had experienced dentinal decay in their primary dentition" [11]. Those children had decay in 3.5 teeth on average [11].
The gap between richer and poorer areas is stark. The survey found that "Children living in the most deprived areas of the country were more than twice as likely to have experienced dentinal decay (32.2%) as those living in the least deprived areas (13.6%)." [11] It also notes that "Removal of decayed teeth, usually due to pain, will often require hospital admission and general anaesthesia." [11]
Hospital figures show the scale. In the financial year ending 2025 there were 56,143 episodes of tooth extractions in NHS hospitals in England for 0 to 19 year olds, and 33,976 of them (60.5%) had tooth decay as the primary diagnosis [12]. Decay was the reason for 86.5% of hospital extraction episodes among 5 to 9 year olds, the highest share of any age group [12].
Knocked-out baby teeth
If a baby tooth is knocked out in an accident, do not try to put it back in. NHS.uk is clear: "You should never put a baby tooth back in." and "Do not put a baby tooth back in as it could damage the tooth growing underneath." [9] NHS inform gives the same advice, adding that you should "call your dentist or phone 111 for advice as soon as possible" [10].
NHS.uk advises asking for an emergency dentist appointment if a tooth has been knocked out, and to "call 111" if you do not have a dentist or cannot get an emergency appointment [9]. NHS inform says to "Take your child to see a dentist immediately." [10] Our guide to emergency dental care in the UK explains how urgent appointments work.
Caring for new adult teeth
Adult teeth that come through between 6 and 13 need to last for the rest of your child's life, so this is a good time to tighten up the daily routine. NHS.uk and the Delivering Better Oral Health toolkit recommend:
- The right toothpaste. For children aged 3 to 6, use children's fluoride toothpaste containing 1,000ppm to 1,500ppm fluoride. From age 7, use fluoride toothpaste containing between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm [8]. The strength is printed on the box.
- Spit, do not rinse. NHS.uk says "Spit out after brushing and don't rinse - if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well." [8]
- Supervision until at least 7. Delivering Better Oral Health advises that children "need to be helped and supervised by an adult, when brushing, until at least 7 years of age" [13]. After that, NHS.uk says "it's still a good idea to watch them to make sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes." [8]
- Fluoride varnish. NHS.uk says "From the age of 3, children should be offered fluoride varnish application at least twice a year." [8]
- Fissure sealants on the back adult teeth, if the dentist recommends them [8].
If you are choosing a new brush as your child takes over their own brushing, our comparison of electric and manual toothbrushes may help.
Free NHS dental care for children across the UK
NHS dental check-ups and treatment are free for children throughout the UK, although the exact age rules differ slightly between the four nations. NHS.uk confirms that "NHS dental care for children is free." [8]
| Nation | Who gets free NHS dental treatment (children and young people) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| England | Under 18, or under 19 and in full-time education | [14] |
| Scotland | Everyone aged under 26 | [15] |
| Wales | Under 18, or aged 18 and in full-time education | [16] |
| Northern Ireland | 18 years of age or under, or aged 18 and in full-time education | [17] |
Parents may qualify for free treatment too. In England, for example, NHS dental treatment is also free if you are pregnant or have had a baby in the last 12 months, and people on a low income can apply for an HC2 certificate [14]. Our free NHS dental treatment eligibility guide covers every route. If your child is seen privately rather than on the NHS, the practice sets its own fees.
Scotland and Wales also run school and nursery programmes. Childsmile in Scotland "delivers a range of preventive care for children in nursery and primary school who are at increased risk of dental disease", including daily supervised toothbrushing and fluoride varnish "twice a year, in priority nurseries and schools" [19]. Designed to Smile in Wales is "a dental health programme for nursery and primary school children up to age 7", which "includes daily tooth-brushing and twice yearly fluoride varnish application" [18].
How often your child should see a dentist
Regular check-ups let a dentist keep an eye on the changeover from baby to adult teeth. NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) says "The longest interval between oral health reviews for patients younger than 18 years should be 12 months" and "The shortest interval between oral health reviews for all patients should be 3 months." [20] NHS.uk puts it simply: the gap to the next check-up could be "as short as 3 months or as long as 2 years (or up to 1 year if you're under 18)." [21]
Your child's dentist will choose the right interval based on their risk of decay. For more detail, see our guide to how often you should visit the dentist, and if your child is new to the dentist, our guide to your child's first dental visit.
Orthodontic checks as the adult teeth arrive
The changeover years are also when crooked or crowded teeth start to show. NHS.uk says braces "are often recommended for children and teenagers after all their adult teeth have come through", and that "Braces are usually only available for free on the NHS for people under the age of 18 who have a problem with their teeth." [22]
Your child's dentist may keep an eye on the bite well before that point. The British Orthodontic Society's guidance says "An early orthodontic assessment, around the period of eruption of the permanent incisors, is a useful exercise as a number of simple interceptive measures are available to the orthodontist" [4]. Our guide to NHS braces for children explains how eligibility for free orthodontic treatment is assessed.
Frequently asked questions
At what age do children start losing baby teeth?
Most children lose their first baby tooth between about 5 and 7. NHS inform says milk teeth start to fall out between 5 and 6, while Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust says around 6 [1] [2]. Starting a little earlier or later than friends is common and usually nothing to worry about.
What order do baby teeth fall out in?
Baby teeth usually fall out from the front backwards. The middle front teeth go first at about 6 to 7, then the teeth next to them at 7 to 8, the first baby molars at 9 to 11, and the canines and second baby molars at roughly 9 to 12 [3]. Baby molars are replaced by premolars.
Is it normal for an adult tooth to come in behind a baby tooth?
It can happen, for example with the lower front teeth. British Orthodontic Society guidance lists removing a baby tooth that is displacing its adult successor as a simple step a dentist can take, and says mild crowding of new front teeth often improves as the jaw grows [4]. Ask your child's dentist to check rather than pulling it yourself.
What should I do if my child's baby tooth is knocked out?
Do not put it back in. NHS.uk warns that replacing a baby tooth "could damage the tooth growing underneath" [9]. Contact your child's dentist as soon as possible for an urgent appointment, or call NHS 111 for advice if you do not have a dentist or cannot get an appointment [9] [10]. NHS dental treatment is free for children.
Are 6-year molars baby teeth?
No. The 6-year molars are permanent adult teeth that come through behind the baby teeth at around 6 to 7, without replacing any baby tooth [6] [7]. They are prone to decay, so brush right to the back of the mouth and ask your dentist whether fissure sealants would help protect them [4] [8].
When do children lose their last baby teeth?
Usually between about 10 and 13. Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust says the last baby tooth is usually lost around 12, and Cambridge University Hospitals notes some baby molars stay until 13, which is quite normal [2] [5]. NHS inform says most children have 28 adult teeth by 12 to 14 [1].
Should I worry if my child has not lost any teeth by age 7?
Not usually. British Orthodontic Society guidance notes that a child's dental age can differ quite widely from their actual age, and a general delay may be of no consequence [4]. Mention it at your child's next check-up, especially if teeth on one side are coming through but not the other, so the dentist can take a look.
Is NHS dental treatment free for children?
Yes. NHS dental care is free for children in every UK nation. In England it is free for under 18s, or under 19s in full-time education; in Scotland for everyone under 26; in Wales for under 18s or 18 year olds in full-time education; and in Northern Ireland for those aged 18 or under [14] [15] [16] [17].
Finding a dentist for your child
The years between 5 and 13 are when your child's adult smile takes shape, and regular check-ups make it much easier to spot anything that needs attention early. NHS dental care for children is free, but we know that finding an NHS practice with space for new patients can take some persistence. Our guide to finding an NHS dentist accepting new patients has practical tips if you are struggling.
When you are ready, search for a dentist near you on Dentists Closeby to compare NHS and private practices in your area and find one that suits your family.
Sources
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- Looking after your teeth -- Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, accessed 2026-10-16
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- Managing the Developing Occlusion: a guide for dental practitioners -- British Orthodontic Society, revised March 2023, accessed 2026-10-16
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- A Guideline for the Extraction of First Permanent Molars in Children -- Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England, March 2023, accessed 2026-10-16
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- Oral health survey of 5 year old schoolchildren 2024 -- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, GOV.UK, published 2025, updated 5 March 2025, accessed 2026-10-16
- Hospital tooth extractions in 0 to 19 year olds 2025 -- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, GOV.UK, published 17 February 2026, accessed 2026-10-16
- Delivering better oral health, Chapter 8: oral hygiene -- Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, GOV.UK, last updated 10 September 2025, accessed 2026-10-16
- Who can get free NHS dental treatment or help with dental costs -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 11 February 2025, accessed 2026-10-16
- Receiving NHS dental treatment in Scotland -- NHS inform, last updated 27 July 2026, accessed 2026-10-16
- NHS dental charges and exemptions -- Welsh Government (GOV.WALES), last updated 27 July 2026, accessed 2026-10-16
- Dental Charges and Fees -- HSC Business Services Organisation (Northern Ireland), accessed 2026-10-16
- Designed to Smile: improving children's dental health -- Welsh Government (GOV.WALES), last updated 27 July 2026, accessed 2026-10-16
- Childsmile in Nursery and School -- Childsmile, NHS Scotland, accessed 2026-10-16
- Dental checks: intervals between oral health reviews (CG19) -- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, published 27 October 2004, accessed 2026-10-16
- Dental check-ups -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 1 April 2025, accessed 2026-10-16
- Braces and orthodontics -- NHS.uk, last reviewed 29 June 2026, accessed 2026-10-16
- Missing teeth (hypodontia) -- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, accessed 2026-10-16
- A practical guide to children's teeth -- British Society of Paediatric Dentistry, November 2016, accessed 2026-10-16
