Baby Teeth Not Falling Out
Content reviewed against published AAPD, AAP, Mayo Clinic guidelines
Last reviewed:
If your baby has been diagnosed with or you suspect baby teeth not falling out, here is what the evidence says.
The short answer
Baby teeth typically begin falling out around age 6, starting with the lower central incisors, but there is a wide normal range. Some children lose their first tooth as early as age 4 or as late as age 8. Delayed loss of baby teeth can be caused by a late pattern of tooth development, missing permanent teeth underneath, or crowding. If a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out (sometimes called shark teeth), the baby tooth usually loosens and falls out on its own within weeks.
Key takeaways
- Baby teeth typically begin falling out around age 6, starting with the lower central incisors, but there is a wide normal range. Some children lose their first tooth as early as age 4 or as late as age 8. Delayed loss of baby teeth can be caused by a late pattern of tooth development, missing permanent teeth underneath, or crowding. If a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out (sometimes called shark teeth), the baby tooth usually loosens and falls out on its own within weeks.
- Usually normal when: Your child has not lost any baby teeth yet but is under age 7
- Call your doctor if: A baby tooth was knocked out or is severely damaged from trauma and needs immediate dental evaluation to protect the permanent tooth underneath
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Fever itself is not an illness — rather, it is a sign or symptom that the body is fighting an infection. Fever stimulates certain defenses, such as the white blood cells, which attack and destroy invading bacteria.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
This concern is not applicable at this age. Baby teeth are just beginning to erupt and will remain in place for years. The full set of 20 primary teeth usually comes in by age 2.5 to 3 years.
3-6 months
Baby teeth are erupting during this period. All 20 primary teeth will serve important functions for chewing, speech development, and holding space for permanent teeth. They are not expected to begin falling out until approximately age 6.
6-12 months
The primary teeth are still actively erupting. Parents should focus on oral hygiene and dental visits. The permanent teeth are developing within the jaw below the baby teeth and will not begin pushing them out for several more years.
12 months+
All baby teeth should be in by age 3. The first baby teeth typically fall out around age 6, though the range of normal extends from about age 4 to 8 for the first lost tooth. If baby teeth have not begun to loosen by age 8, a dental evaluation with X-rays can check whether permanent teeth are developing normally underneath. Some children have congenitally missing permanent teeth, which means the baby tooth above that space may be retained indefinitely.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your child has not lost any baby teeth yet but is under age 7
- Baby teeth are falling out in a different order than expected
- A permanent tooth is coming in behind a still-present baby tooth (shark teeth) and the baby tooth is starting to get loose
- Your child is a late bloomer developmentally and also a late teether, as these patterns often correlate
- Your child is 8 years old and has not lost any baby teeth yet
- A permanent tooth has erupted behind a baby tooth that shows no sign of loosening after several weeks
- Baby teeth were lost very early (before age 4) due to decay or trauma, and you want to ensure the permanent teeth will come in correctly
- A baby tooth was knocked out or is severely damaged from trauma and needs immediate dental evaluation to protect the permanent tooth underneath
- Your child has significant pain, swelling, or infection around a retained baby tooth
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss Baby Teeth Not Falling Out.
Things to mention
- Your child is 8 years old and has not lost any baby teeth yet
- A permanent tooth has erupted behind a baby tooth that shows no sign of loosening after several weeks
- Baby teeth were lost very early (before age 4) due to decay or trauma, and you want to ensure the permanent teeth will come in correctly
Observations to share
- Your child is 8 years old and has not lost any baby teeth yet
- A permanent tooth has erupted behind a baby tooth that shows no sign of loosening after several weeks
- Baby teeth were lost very early (before age 4) due to decay or trauma, and you want to ensure the permanent teeth will come in correctly
Urgent signs to report immediately
- A baby tooth was knocked out or is severely damaged from trauma and needs immediate dental evaluation to protect the permanent tooth underneath
- Your child has significant pain, swelling, or infection around a retained baby tooth
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is baby teeth not falling out normal?
When should I call the doctor about baby teeth not falling out?
When is baby teeth not falling out normal?
What causes baby teeth not falling out?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about baby teeth not falling out?
Is baby teeth not falling out normal at 0-3 months?
Is baby teeth not falling out normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for baby teeth not falling out?
Does baby teeth not falling out go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Guideline on Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry. AAPD
- [2]American Academy of Pediatrics. Losing Baby Teeth. HealthyChildren.org. AAP
- [3]Mayo Clinic. Baby teeth: When do children start losing them? Mayo Clinic
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of baby teeth not falling out are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if a baby tooth was knocked out or is severely damaged from trauma and needs immediate dental evaluation to protect the permanent tooth underneath.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Medical Concerns
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become enlarged (adenoid hypertrophy), they can block the nasal airway, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, nasal speech, and sleep-disordered breathing. Enlarged adenoids are most common between ages 2-7 and are a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea in young children. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting and nasal steroids to surgical removal (adenoidectomy) if breathing or sleep is significantly affected.
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in Babies
X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a genetic disorder affecting about 1 in 17,000 newborns, caused by mutations in the ABCD1 gene on the X chromosome. It primarily affects boys and impairs the breakdown of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs), which accumulate and damage the myelin sheath in the brain and the adrenal glands. The most severe form, cerebral ALD, typically affects boys between ages 4-10 with rapid neurological decline. Newborn screening now enables early detection, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant or gene therapy performed before significant brain involvement can be life-saving.
How to Advocate for Your Child's Needs
You know your child better than anyone, and your observations matter. If you feel something is not right with your child's development or health, you have every right to ask questions, request evaluations, and seek second opinions. Advocating for your child is not being difficult - it is being a good parent.
Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC)
Agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) is a condition in which the corpus callosum — the bundle of nerve fibers connecting the left and right hemispheres of the brain — fails to develop partially or completely. It occurs in approximately 1 in 4,000 births and is one of the most common brain malformations. ACC can be detected on prenatal ultrasound or postnatal MRI. Outcomes vary enormously: some individuals with isolated ACC have normal intelligence and minimal difficulties, while others (especially when ACC occurs alongside other brain abnormalities or genetic syndromes) may have significant developmental delays. The variability means that prenatal counseling and postnatal monitoring are both essential.