Milk teeth in children – when do they appear, how many are there, and when do they fall out?

The appearance of a child's first milk teeth is a moment that many parents await with both excitement and a touch of anxiety. Teething can be challenging – babies become cranky, cry, refuse to eat, and parents helplessly search for effective ways to soothe the pain. With the first tooth come many questions: How many milk teeth will my child have? When will they start to fall out? Should they be treated if they’re going to fall out anyway? In this article, we’ll answer all the most frequently asked questions about milk teeth. We’ll also explain how to care for baby teeth so they stay healthy until permanent teeth emerge.

• How many milk teeth does a child have?

• Teething – what should you know?

• Losing milk teeth – when and how?

• How to care for milk teeth

• Most common problems with milk teeth

• FAQ section – most common questions from parents

How many milk teeth does a child have?
A child has 20 milk teeth – 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw. These include: 8 incisors (4 on top and 4 on the bottom), 4 canines, and 8 molars. Teething usually begins around the 6th month of life, and the full set is typically complete by around age 3. These teeth play a crucial role in biting, chewing food, learning to speak, and also in "holding space" for the future permanent teeth.

Although temporary, milk teeth are essential – their health significantly affects a child’s bite development, speech formation, and hygiene habits.

 

Structure of a milk tooth – what does it look like?
A milk tooth is smaller, lighter in color, and more delicate than a permanent tooth. It has thinner enamel and is less mineralized, which makes it more vulnerable to cavities – often without any visible symptoms. One common feature of milk teeth is gaps between them (diastemas) – this is completely normal and ensures there is enough space for the larger permanent teeth that will appear later.

 

Do milk teeth have roots?
Yes, milk teeth do have roots, although they are thinner and shorter than those of permanent teeth. Interestingly, the roots of milk teeth gradually dissolve as permanent teeth begin to emerge beneath them. This natural process causes the milk teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Without it, the tooth replacement process wouldn't be possible.

 

Teething – what should you know?
Teething is one of the first major milestones in a child’s development – and often not the most pleasant one. It’s a time of itchy, sore gums, and often sleepless nights for babies. For parents, it brings a lot of questions and some helplessness. While teething varies from child to child, there are general patterns that help determine if tooth development is proceeding normally.

Order of Milk Tooth Eruption
Milk teeth typically emerge in a specific sequence – first the incisors, followed by molars and canines.

Here’s a typical teething timeline:

• Lower central incisors – 6–10 months
  
  

• Upper central incisors – 8–12 months
  
  

• Upper lateral incisors – 9–13 months
  
  

• Lower lateral incisors – 10–16 months
  
  

• First upper molars – 13–19 months
  
  

• First lower molars – 14–18 months
  
  

• Upper canines – 16–22 months
  
  

• Lower canines – 17–23 months
  
  

• Second lower molars – 23–31 months
  
  

• Second upper molars – 25–33 months
  
  

Not every child follows this timeline exactly – some start teething earlier, others later. As long as the teeth appear gradually and without serious complications, there’s generally no cause for concern.

 

Crooked Milk Teeth – Should You Be Worried?
Not necessarily. Crooked, slightly misaligned, or uneven milk teeth are quite common, especially soon after they erupt. They often straighten out on their own as the jaw grows and the child’s dentition continues to develop.

It’s a good idea to visit a dentist if:

• the teeth overlap significantly (no gaps between them),
  
  

• the child breathes through the mouth or has speech difficulties,
  
  

• there are signs of tooth wear or facial asymmetry.
  
  

In such cases, an orthodontic consultation may be recommended – even during preschool age. Early intervention often helps avoid lengthy treatment in later years.

Loss of Milk Teeth – When and How Does It Happen?
The loss of milk teeth is another major milestone in a child’s life – and once again, one filled with emotions. For kids, it’s often a source of pride (“my tooth fell out!”), while for parents, it brings a wave of new questions: Is it already time? Is everything going normally? Isn’t it too early – or too late?

The process of replacing milk teeth with permanent ones usually begins around the age of 6, although the first signs (such as slight loosening) may appear even earlier. The “disruption” is caused by developing permanent teeth, which begin to put pressure on the milk teeth from underneath, gradually pushing them out.

 

Order of Milk Teeth Loss
Milk teeth usually fall out in the same order in which they erupted. This is a natural, gradual process that takes place between the ages of approximately 6 and 12. Below is a general schedule for the loss of milk teeth:

• Lower central incisors – 6–7 years
  
  

• Upper central incisors – 6–7 years
  
  

• Lower and upper lateral incisors – 7–8 years
  
  

• Lower canines – 9–12 years
  
  

• Upper canines – 10–12 years
  
  

• First molars – 9–11 years
  
  

• Second molars – 10–12 years
  
  

This process doesn’t always follow the textbook timeline – every child develops at their own pace. Still, knowing these ranges helps spot any potential abnormalities.

 

Losing Milk Teeth at Age 5 – Normal or Not?
If a child begins losing teeth around age 5, it’s not necessarily a cause for concern – especially if the first teeth came in earlier than average. Early teething can also mean earlier replacement.
However, if teeth begin to fall out well before age 5, it’s worth seeing a dentist. It could be due to:

• tooth decay weakening the tooth structure
  
  

• a mechanical injury (e.g. from a fall)
  
  

• developmental abnormalities
  
  

Early tooth loss can impact future bite alignment, so it’s best to intervene early.

 

Premature Loss of Milk Teeth – When to See a Dentist?
If a tooth falls out before age 5 without a clear reason (such as trauma), it’s a good idea to get a dental evaluation. It could be a sign of:

• gum disease
  
  

• diabetes
  
  

• psoriasis
  
  

• hormonal disorders
  
  

• vitamin D deficiency or other developmental issues
  
  

On the other hand, if teeth aren’t falling out by age 8, with no signs of loosening, it might suggest the absence of permanent tooth buds, nutrient deficiencies (like vitamin D), or thyroid problems.

That’s why the tooth replacement phase is a good time to schedule regular dental visits every few months to catch potential issues early.

 

How to Care for Milk Teeth
Though temporary, milk teeth play a crucial role in a child’s development – so it’s important to care for them from the moment the first one appears. Key elements include daily hygiene, a healthy diet, and regular dental checkups.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day using toothpaste with an appropriate fluoride level (typically 1000 ppm for children). From the eruption of the first tooth, introduce a baby toothbrush. After the child turns 1, schedule their first dental visit.

It’s also important to avoid frequent snacking and sugary drinks – especially before bedtime. Cavity-causing bacteria thrive on sugar, and the thin enamel on baby teeth is easily damaged.

To learn more about how to protect baby teeth from decay, see our article: Caries in Primary Teeth in Children – How to Prevent and Treat It.

Most Common Problems with Baby Teeth

Although baby teeth are temporary, their health has a major impact on the development of a child’s entire dentition. Parents often wonder what to do if a tooth chips or changes color. Below, we address the most common concerns.

 

Grey Baby Tooth After a Bump – What to Do?
If a baby tooth suddenly turns grey, dark, or bluish, it may indicate trauma and damage to the pulp (the tooth’s “nerve”). This color change doesn’t always appear immediately – sometimes it happens days after the injury.

In this case:

• Do not attempt to pull out or wiggle the tooth yourself.
  
  

• Book an appointment with a pediatric dentist – the tooth may need monitoring or treatment.
  
  

• Watch for other symptoms such as swelling, pus, or fever – these could signal an infection.
  
  

It’s important to remember that trauma to a baby tooth can also affect the developing permanent tooth underneath – so any discoloration should not be ignored.

 

Chipped Baby Tooth in a Child
Kids are active, so dental injuries do happen. A chipped baby tooth might not seem serious, but even a small fracture can create an entry point for bacteria and speed up the development of tooth decay.

What to do?

• Always consult a dentist – even if the child isn’t complaining of pain.
  
  

• The dentist will assess whether only the enamel is affected or if the damage goes deeper.
  
  

• The tooth may need to be sealed or reinforced, for example with dental material or a protective varnish.
  
  

Don’t wait for the baby tooth to “fall out on its own.” If left untreated, it could lead to pain, infection, or even affect how the permanent teeth grow in.

Which Teeth Are Permanent and Which Are Baby Teeth?

This question often comes up during preschool and early school years, when a child has a mixed dentition – some baby teeth and some already permanent ones.

Here’s how to tell the difference:

• Baby teeth are smaller and whiter, often with visible gaps between them.
  
  

• Permanent teeth are larger and have a yellowish-cream color. Permanent incisors often have slightly scalloped edges (called mamelons) which wear down over time – this is perfectly normal.
  
  

• Typically, baby teeth fall out by around age 12, after which the child should have a full set of permanent teeth (excluding wisdom teeth).
  
  

If you're unsure, a dentist can easily assess which teeth are baby and which are permanent – and take an X-ray, if necessary, to check the tooth buds under the gums.

 

FAQ Section – Most Common Questions from Parents

How many baby teeth does a child have?
A child has 20 baby teeth – 10 in the upper jaw and 10 in the lower jaw.

Do baby teeth have roots?
Yes, baby teeth have roots, but they gradually dissolve to make way for the permanent teeth.

Do baby teeth need to be treated if they will fall out anyway?
Yes, they should be treated. Untreated cavities can lead to pain, infections, and even damage to developing permanent teeth. Healthy baby teeth are key for proper bite, speech, and hygiene habits – care should start early.

When do baby teeth fall out?
Usually between the ages of 6 and 12, but individual variations are perfectly normal.

What does a baby tooth look like?
A baby tooth is smaller and whiter than a permanent tooth, with a more delicate structure and thinner enamel. Gaps between baby teeth are normal.

What to do if a baby tooth gets chipped?
Visit a pediatric dentist. Even a small chip can lead to decay if left untreated.

Is a grey baby tooth after an injury dangerous?
It may indicate pulp necrosis. A dentist should examine the tooth as soon as possible.

Should baby teeth with cavities be extracted?
It's better to treat than to pull. Early loss can affect bite development.

Are "fives" baby teeth?
Yes. The so-called “fives” in small children are second baby molars, not permanent teeth – despite the numbering. They usually appear between 23 and 33 months of age and are vital for chewing, speech, maintaining space for permanent teeth, and guiding proper jaw development.