| Quick Answer: Kids get molars at three different times. Baby molars erupt as toddlers and fall out between ages 9 and 12, replaced by adult premolars. First permanent molars (6-year molars) erupt around age 6–7 — these are brand-new teeth that don’t replace anything. Second permanent molars (12-year molars) come in around age 11–13. Wisdom teeth, if present, erupt between 17 and 25. |
If you’re trying to figure out which teeth your kid is getting and when, the molar timeline can be confusing. There are baby molars that fall out, permanent molars that don’t replace anything, and adult premolars that show up later. At Rio Grande Children’s Dentistry, our kid-focused dentists explain this every week to Los Lunas-area families.
Here’s the complete molar timeline — clear, no jargon.
Two Different Sets: Baby Molars and Permanent Molars
This is the part that confuses most parents. Your child gets two completely separate sets of molars during childhood:
1. Baby molars (primary molars) — these come in as toddlers, fall out around age 9–12, and are replaced by adult premolars (also called bicuspids). Each child gets 8 baby molars total.
2. Permanent molars — these are brand-new teeth that erupt behind the baby molars. They never replace any baby tooth. They come in at three different times: first molars around age 6, second molars around age 12, and third molars (wisdom teeth) around 17–25.
By adulthood, most people have 12 permanent molars total (3 on each side of upper and lower jaw).
The Complete Molar Timeline
| Tooth | Type | Erupts / Falls Out |
|---|---|---|
| First baby molars | Baby (primary) | Erupts 13–19 months |
| Second baby molars | Baby (primary) | Erupts 23–33 months |
| First permanent molars (“6-year”) | Permanent (new) | Erupts age 6–7 |
| First baby molars | Baby (primary) | Falls out age 9–11 |
| Second baby molars | Baby (primary) | Falls out age 10–12 |
| First premolars/bicuspids | Adult (replaces 1st baby molar) | Erupts age 9–11 |
| Second premolars/bicuspids | Adult (replaces 2nd baby molar) | Erupts age 10–12 |
| Second permanent molars (“12-year”) | Permanent (new) | Erupts age 11–13 |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | Permanent (new) | Erupts age 17–25 (if at all) |
First Permanent Molars: Why They Matter
First permanent molars are some of the most important teeth in your child’s mouth. They:
- Are the first permanent teeth to erupt
- Have to last 70+ years
- Are critical for chewing and bite alignment
- Are some of the most cavity-prone teeth because of deep grooves
Because of their deep chewing surfaces, first molars are great candidates for sealants — a thin protective coating that reduces cavity risk by about 80%. Apply them shortly after the molar erupts.
How to Spot a New Molar Coming In
Signs your child has a permanent molar erupting:
- A new bump in the gum behind the existing baby molars
- Mild discomfort or chewing on one side preferentially
- Gum tenderness or slight swelling at the back
- Small white edges of the tooth visible through the gum
Most kids don’t have significant pain when permanent molars come in, but mild discomfort is normal. Cool foods and a soft-bristled toothbrush can help.
Visit Rio Grande Children’s Dentistry
Our kid-focused dental team monitors molar eruption at every routine visit and recommends sealants when first molars come in. We see Valencia County kids from 9 months to 18 (special needs to 26).
Frequently Asked Questions
When do kids get their first molars?
First permanent molars (also called “6-year molars”) typically erupt between ages 6 and 7. They come in behind the baby molars without replacing any baby teeth — they’re brand-new teeth in newly available space.
When do kids get their second molars?
Second permanent molars (“12-year molars”) typically erupt between ages 11 and 13. Like the first molars, they come in behind existing teeth in newly available space.
When do baby molars fall out?
Baby first molars typically fall out between ages 9 and 11. Baby second molars typically fall out between ages 10 and 12. They’re replaced by adult premolars (bicuspids), not adult molars.
What’s the difference between baby molars and permanent molars?
Baby molars (primary first and second molars) fall out and are replaced by adult premolars/bicuspids. Permanent molars (first, second, and third) are always permanent — they never replace anything.
Do kids get wisdom teeth?
Wisdom teeth (third molars) typically erupt — or attempt to — between ages 17 and 25. Some people never develop them at all; some have them removed when they cause crowding or impact.
Can my child get cavities in their first permanent molars?
Yes — and these are some of the most cavity-prone teeth in your child’s mouth because of their deep grooves. Sealants applied shortly after first molars erupt (around age 6–7) reduce cavity risk in those teeth by about 80%.
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Time for your child’s checkup or sealants? 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. Rio Grande Children’s Dentistry │ Los Lunas, NM │ Contact Us → |