| Quick Answer: Some do, some don’t. A child’s baby molars — the back teeth that come in during toddlerhood — do fall out and are replaced by permanent premolars around ages 10 to 12. But the permanent molars further back (the 6-year and 12-year molars) are NOT baby teeth and never fall out. All 20 baby teeth are replaced; the permanent molars are added behind them. |
It’s a question we hear often at our kid-focused dental practice in Las Cruces: if a child’s back teeth seem permanent, do they ever fall out? The answer depends on which back teeth you mean — because not all of them are baby teeth.
Here’s a clear breakdown of which back teeth fall out, which stay for life, and how to tell them apart.
Which Teeth Are Baby Teeth?
Children have 20 baby (primary) teeth in a full set — 10 on top and 10 on bottom. That includes eight incisors (front teeth), four canines, and eight molars (the back teeth that arrive between roughly 13 and 33 months). Every one of those 20 baby teeth is designed to fall out and be replaced.
The confusion usually comes from the back of the mouth, where baby molars and permanent molars sit near each other and look similar.
Do Baby Molars Fall Out?
Yes. The baby molars are among the last baby teeth to go, usually falling out between ages 10 and 12. They’re replaced not by adult molars but by permanent premolars (also called bicuspids), which take their place in the dental arch.
Which Back Teeth Do NOT Fall Out?
The permanent molars do not fall out. They aren’t baby teeth at all — they erupt behind the baby teeth as the jaw grows:
- First permanent molars (“6-year molars”) arrive around age 6, behind the last baby molars.
- Second permanent molars (“12-year molars”) arrive around age 12.
- Third molars (wisdom teeth) may arrive in the late teens or twenties.
Because these molars come in at the back without replacing a baby tooth, many parents assume they’re baby teeth that will fall out. They won’t — so protecting them from decay early matters a great deal.
A Simple Way to Tell Them Apart
| Back tooth | Baby or permanent? | Falls out? |
|---|---|---|
| Baby (primary) molars | Baby | Yes, ~ages 10–12 |
| First molars (6-year) | Permanent | No |
| Second molars (12-year) | Permanent | No |
| Wisdom teeth | Permanent | No |
A good rule of thumb: if a back tooth appeared before age 3, it’s a baby molar and will fall out. If it arrived around age 6 or later behind the others, it’s permanent.
Why the 6-Year Molars Deserve Special Attention
Because the first permanent molars erupt around age 6 — while a child is still losing front teeth — they’re easy to overlook. They have deep grooves that trap food and are a common spot for early cavities. Sealants and good brushing habits help protect them for the decades of chewing ahead.
Visit Children’s Dental Clinic of Las Cruces
Our kid-focused dental practice serves families across southern New Mexico — Las Cruces, Mesilla, Anthony, Doña Ana, Hatch, Truth or Consequences, and Alamogordo. We care for children from 9 months through age 18 (special needs to 26), and with orthodontics in the same building, we can follow your child’s smile from the first baby molar to the last permanent one. Contact our office to schedule a visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do children’s back teeth fall out?
The baby molars do — usually between ages 10 and 12, replaced by permanent premolars. The permanent molars further back (6-year, 12-year, and wisdom teeth) are not baby teeth and never fall out.
Are molars baby teeth?
Some are. The molars that come in during toddlerhood are baby molars and fall out. The molars that erupt around age 6 and later are permanent and stay for life.
At what age do baby molars fall out?
Baby molars are typically among the last baby teeth lost, usually between ages 10 and 12.
What replaces baby molars?
Permanent premolars (bicuspids) replace the baby molars — not adult molars, which erupt separately behind the baby teeth.
Why do my child’s 6-year molars matter so much?
They’re permanent teeth that arrive early and have deep grooves prone to decay. Protecting them with good brushing and sealants helps them last a lifetime.
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Questions about your child’s molars? We truly care about your child’s health and happiness. Reach out to get your child’s appointment scheduled. We can’t wait to see you. Children’s Dental Clinic & Orthodontics of Las Cruces │ 1901 Calle de Ninos, Las Cruces, NM 88005 │ (575) 526-5522 │ Contact Us → |