A 5-year-old typically has 20 teeth. This is the full set of primary (baby) teeth: 8 incisors, 4 canines, and 8 molars, evenly split between the upper and lower jaws. Most children have all 20 in place by age 3, and at 5, they’re usually still intact before the first ones start to fall out.
The Full Set of 20 Primary Teeth
Each jaw holds 10 teeth, arranged in the same pattern top and bottom. Starting from the center of the mouth and moving back, the lineup is: two central incisors, two lateral incisors, two canines (the pointy ones), two first molars, and two second molars. Multiply that by two jaws, and you get 20.
The incisors handle biting, the canines tear food, and the molars grind it. These teeth are smaller and whiter than the permanent teeth that will eventually replace them, with thinner outer layers. They also have wider spacing between them, which is completely normal and actually a good sign. Those gaps mean the jaw is growing properly and making room for the larger adult teeth that will come in later.
When Teeth Start Falling Out
Most children begin losing baby teeth around age 6, though some start as late as 7. At 5, your child is right on the edge of this transition but likely hasn’t lost any teeth yet. The two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) are almost always the first to go, loosening as the permanent teeth underneath push upward.
The process follows a predictable schedule, though the timing varies from child to child. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the lower central incisors typically fall out between ages 6 and 7, followed by the upper central incisors between 7 and 8. The lateral incisors come next, then the canines and molars over the following years. The last baby teeth don’t fall out until age 11 to 13. So even though the process starts soon, a 5-year-old still has years of mixed baby and adult teeth ahead.
The First Permanent Molars May Already Be Coming
Here’s something many parents don’t realize: the very first permanent teeth don’t replace baby teeth at all. Around age 5.5 to 7, four new molars (called “6-year molars”) erupt behind the existing baby teeth, in empty space at the back of the jaw. Because they don’t push out a baby tooth, they can appear without much fanfare, and parents sometimes mistake them for additional baby teeth.
These molars are important. They’re the first permanent teeth your child will have, and they need to last a lifetime. They’re also larger and have deeper grooves than baby molars, which makes them more prone to cavities if not brushed well. If your 5-year-old is complaining about soreness at the very back of the mouth, it could be these new molars breaking through the gums.
Why Spacing Between Teeth Matters
Small gaps between a 5-year-old’s teeth are a healthy sign. Permanent teeth are significantly wider than baby teeth, and those spaces give them room to come in straight. A mouth where the baby teeth are packed tightly together with no gaps can sometimes signal that the adult teeth may crowd each other, potentially leading to alignment issues later.
Dentists pay attention to spacing patterns in primary teeth because they offer early clues about jaw development. The jaw bones are actively lengthening and widening during these years to prepare for the larger permanent set. If gaps don’t close naturally, or if baby teeth are lost too early from decay or injury, neighboring teeth can shift and block the path for incoming adult teeth. This is one reason pediatric dentists recommend monitoring tooth development starting well before the first baby tooth falls out.
Caring for a 5-Year-Old’s Teeth
Even though baby teeth are temporary, cavities in them can cause pain, infection, and problems for the permanent teeth developing underneath. At age 5, children should brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (about 0.25 grams). That small amount provides cavity protection while minimizing the risk of swallowing too much fluoride, since most kids this age are still developing their swallowing reflexes.
Most 5-year-olds still need help brushing, especially reaching the back molars. A good rule of thumb: if your child can’t tie their own shoes, they probably don’t have the fine motor skills to brush thoroughly on their own. Supervising and doing a quick follow-up brush after they’ve had their turn makes a real difference, particularly now that those first permanent molars may be on their way in.