Which Baby Teeth Are Lost First?

Parents and children alike can wonder which tooth will fall out of the mouth first. The event is an important milestone in growing up: another step in the progress from babyhood to big kid. While there are many variables, the order of tooth loss is usually similar to the order the teeth came in.

Waiting for that first lost tooth can cause a lot of questions and concerns. Educating your child about the process will alleviate many of their fears.

Which Teeth Are Typically Lost First

The most common teeth to fall out first are the lower front teeth. These teeth are called
mandibular central incisors and are responsible for cutting or gnawing food.

Likely Order of Tooth Loss

The next likely teeth to come out are the upper front incisors, followed by the canines. First and second molars are last to make their exit.

Age of Loss

The age of a child when lthey lose their first tooth can vary, but most children lose them around the age of 6 or 7. It's perfectly normal to lose teeth as early as age 5.

Gum Care

After the first tooth is lost, as well as with future losses, the surrounding gum area will be tender and might require extra care. Make sure to be gentle when brushing the area around the missing tooth. Swishing plain water or salt water can aid the healing process.

Taking Away a Child's Fear

Some children will fear several aspects of losing that first tooth. They can worry about pain, about swallowing the tooth, or about whether or not the tooth fairy will find them. Talking about the process can help ease these concerns.

As the Permanent Tooth Arrives

When the permanent tooth comes in, take care when brushing around it. Food particles can catch in the new surface and cause irritation and infection. At first, the teeth can look huge when compared to the smaller baby teeth, but as the other teeth come in, they'll balance out your child's smile.

Concerns

A visit to the dentist can alleviate concerns about the timing of a lost first tooth. If the tooth falls out and there seems to be a piece still in the gum, a dentist can easily check it out. Sometimes a permanent tooth will start to grow in before the baby tooth falls out. The dentist can give advice on how best to deal with this, too.

References

• Baby Teeth 101