Why Do Our Teeth Fall Out?
For children aged 6-10
Written By: Joy Omowunmi Sole
Edited By: Rachel Lee
Have you ever pushed a loose tooth with your tongue and wondered, “Why is this tooth suddenly moving?”
Maybe you keep checking it in the mirror. Maybe you wiggle it with your finger. And then one day, plop! It is in your hand.
But what exactly is happening inside your mouth? Your tooth isn't simply deciding to leave. Your mouth is making room for something new.
A Tooth Has a Job to Do
The teeth you have as a child are called baby teeth.
You usually have 20 baby teeth. They help you bite and chew your food, pronounce words clearly, and smile. They also help keep the right spaces in your mouth for the permanent teeth that will come later (American Dental Association [ADA], n.d.).
So even though baby teeth won't last forever, they do an important job as you grow.
But your jaw, the bones that hold your teeth, doesn't stay the same size. As you grow, your mouth grows too, and eventually, those 20 little teeth won't be the only teeth your mouth needs. Something new is already getting ready.
Something Is Growing Underneath
Hidden beneath your baby teeth are developing permanent teeth. Think of your mouth as a house that is being renovated while you are still living in it!
As a permanent tooth develops, the root of the baby tooth above it is gradually absorbed. The root is the part of the tooth that helps hold it in place (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
As more of the root disappears, the baby tooth doesn't have as much holding it firmly in the jaw. That's when the wobbling begins. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
Eventually, the baby tooth becomes loose enough to fall out. And underneath it, the permanent tooth is ready to take its place.
So, Where Does the New Tooth Come From?
The permanent tooth doesn't magically appear after your baby tooth falls out. It has been developing inside your jaw for quite some time.
When the baby tooth is lost naturally, the permanent tooth can move into the space that has been prepared for it. This process happens gradually, not all at once. That's why losing teeth is one of the ways your body shows you that you are growing and changing.
Does Everyone Lose Teeth at the Same Time?
No! Many children begin losing their first baby teeth around 5 or 6 years old, but there is no single age when every child's teeth must fall out (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
Some children lose a tooth earlier. Others lose theirs later. So if your friend has already lost several teeth but yours are still firmly in place, don't panic. Your smile has its own schedule.
Wait... Do All New Teeth Replace Old Ones?
Here's something that might surprise you: Not every permanent tooth replaces a baby tooth.
Some permanent teeth grow into new spaces at the back of your mouth. For example, your first permanent molars usually come in behind your baby teeth. They don't push a baby tooth out.
As you grow, your jaw becomes larger and has more room for additional teeth. These extra teeth, including your permanent molars, help you chew and grind a wider variety of foods and handle larger amounts of food.
That means when you see a new tooth appearing at the back of your mouth, it isn't always replacing one of your baby teeth. Your mouth is doing more than a simple tooth-for-tooth swap!
What If a Tooth Falls Out Too Soon?
Not every lost baby tooth is a normal part of growing up. Sometimes, a baby tooth can be lost early due to tooth decay or injury. Factors that can lead to tooth decay include consuming a lot of sugary foods and not brushing teeth regularly. To prevent tooth decay, it is important to eat healthy foods, brush teeth consistently, and visit the dentist regularly.
If a tooth falls out because you were hurt, or it becomes very painful, badly damaged, or falls out much earlier than expected, tell a parent, caregiver, or another trusted adult. A dentist can check what happened and make sure your growing teeth have the care they need.
Sometimes, if a baby tooth falls out too early, the teeth next to it can move into the empty space and make it harder for the new permanent tooth to grow in. In some cases, a dentist may use a space maintainer to help keep the space open for the permanent tooth.
What Should You Do With a Wobbly Tooth?
If your baby tooth is loose, don't pull it out by force. You can gently move it with your tongue or clean fingers and let it loosen naturally. Eating crunchy foods, such as apples and carrots, can also help a loose tooth come out naturally.
If your gums feel sore or swollen, choose softer foods such as applesauce or mashed potatoes for a while. You can also place a cold pack against your cheek to help soothe the area.
Wiggling a loose tooth should not cause any pain. If it hurts, then it is not ready to come out. If you are unsure about a loose tooth, ask an adult or your dentist for help.
Most importantly, keep brushing your teeth even when one is wobbly. Your other teeth still need cleaning! Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss your teeth every day. Brush gently around the wobbly tooth so you don't hurt your gums.
Words to Know
Baby teeth: The first set of teeth you get as a child. Most children have 20 baby teeth.
Permanent teeth: The second set of teeth that replaces most baby teeth and is meant to last for the rest of your life
Tooth root: The part of a tooth that helps hold it in the jaw.
Jaw: The bones that support your teeth and help you bite and chew.
Permanent molars: Flat permanent teeth at the back of your mouth that crush and grind food.
Tooth decay: Damage to a tooth caused by acids produced by mouth bacteria.
Dentist: A doctor who cares for your teeth, gums, and mouth.
Space maintainer: A dental tool that helps maintain enough space for a permanent tooth when a baby tooth is lost too early.
Did You Know?
🦷 Your teeth are super strong! Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body.
🦷 Your baby teeth began to develop many months before you were born.
🦷 Your teeth help you make sounds, too. Try saying “th,” “f,” and “v.” Your teeth, tongue, and lips all work together to help make these sounds.
One Last Look in the Mirror
The next time you see a child with a gap where a tooth used to be, remember: something amazing is happening.
That little gap is not just a missing tooth. It shows the mouth is growing, changing, and preparing for the next stage.
So if your tooth starts to wobble, don't be too surprised. Your mouth isn't losing something for no reason. It's making room for what's next.
References
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Ask the ADA Tooth Fairy. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/resources/activity-sheets/ask-the-tooth-fairy
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Eruption charts. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/eruption-charts
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Removing a loose tooth. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/dental-care/removing-a-loose-tooth
American Dental Association. (n.d.). Space maintainers. MouthHealthy. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/space-maintainers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About tooth loss. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/about-tooth-loss.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Oral health tips for children. https://www.cdc.gov/oral-health/about/about-tooth-loss.html
Space Maintainers | Space Preservation - MyBracesClinic. (2024). MyBracesClinic. https://www.mybracesclinic.com/service/space-maintainers/
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