Why Do Our Teeth Fall Out?

What You'll Learn

• Children have a set of baby teeth, also called primary teeth
• Baby teeth help kids chew and make space for adult teeth
• As children grow, their jaws get bigger
• Adult teeth form under the gums and push baby teeth out
• Losing teeth is a normal part of growing up

Words to Know

Baby teeth

The first set of teeth

"I lost one of my baby teeth."

Adult teeth

The second set of permanent teeth

"My adult tooth grew in."

Jaw

The bone that holds your teeth

"My jaw grew bigger."

Wiggly

Loose and moving

"My tooth was wiggly."

Check What You Learned

Fun Facts

• Children have 20 primary (baby) teeth that begin to erupt around 6 months of age

  Source: American Dental Association

• Adult teeth, also called permanent teeth, develop under the gums before birth and erupt during childhood

  Source: ADA

• As the jaw grows, permanent teeth resorb the roots of primary teeth, causing them to loosen and fall out

  Source: ADA

• Primary teeth hold space and guide permanent teeth into proper position

  Source: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

• Most children lose their first primary tooth around age 5-6

  Source: AAPD

• Permanent teeth are meant to last a lifetime; good oral hygiene is essential

  Source: ADA