Baby Teeth Timeline: When They Come In, When They Fall Out and How to Care for Them

Few milestones get as much attention as a baby’s first tooth, and few cause as many questions. When should teeth appear? What order do they come in? When do they fall out, and does it matter that they will eventually be replaced? This guide walks through the general timeline described by the ADA and MedlinePlus, how to ease teething, and how to care for baby teeth so they do their job until the permanent teeth arrive. Every child is different, so treat the ages below as typical ranges, not deadlines.

Table of Contents

Babies are born with their teeth already forming

According to the ADA’s MouthHealthy site, babies are born with all 20 primary (baby) teeth already in their jaws. Sometime around 6 months of age, the first teeth break through the gums, usually in the lower front, and most of the rest appear by age 3, when children typically have 10 top and 10 bottom teeth (MouthHealthy: Baby teeth). MouthHealthy’s eruption chart page adds that by age 21, all 32 permanent teeth have usually come in (MouthHealthy: Eruption charts), and it offers downloadable charts for both sets.

The typical order baby teeth appear

MedlinePlus describes a common sequence (MedlinePlus: Teething):

The two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) often come in first.
Next are usually the two top front teeth (upper central incisors).
Then the other incisors, followed by the first molars, the canines, and finally the back molars.

MedlinePlus says teething generally begins between 6 and 8 months and that all 20 baby teeth should be in place by about 30 months. MouthHealthy gives a slightly wider window, saying teeth typically start to come through between 6 and 12 months. Both agree that timing varies, and MedlinePlus notes that some children do not show any teeth until much later than 8 months, which is usually normal for that child.

When to ask about late teeth

MedlinePlus has a separate page on delayed or absent tooth formation, which explains that the timing of teeth can vary and that a child with no teeth by a certain point, or with teeth that seem to be missing, should be checked by a provider (MedlinePlus: Tooth formation). If you are worried, ask your pediatrician or dentist rather than comparing your child with others.

Teething: what is normal and what is not

MouthHealthy lists normal teething signs as fussiness, trouble sleeping, irritability, loss of appetite and more drooling than usual (MouthHealthy: Teething). MedlinePlus adds biting or chewing on hard objects and gum swelling and tenderness.

Both sources draw a clear line on other symptoms. MedlinePlus states that teething does not cause fever or diarrhea, and MouthHealthy lists fever, diarrhea and rash as reasons to call your pediatrician. Don’t assume these are “just teething.”

Safe ways to soothe sore gums

Gently rub the gums with a clean finger, a small cool spoon, or a moist gauze pad or washcloth.
Offer a clean, solid rubber teether. Avoid liquid-filled rings or plastic objects that could break, and watch your child while they use it.
If your child uses a bottle for comfort, MedlinePlus advises filling it only with water, since formula, milk or juice can cause decay.

Things to avoid

MouthHealthy warns against teething necklaces and bracelets, noting FDA reports of serious injuries including strangulation and choking. It also relays the FDA’s warning against numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine for young children, citing serious risks. MedlinePlus advises never tying a teething ring around a child’s neck, never cutting the gums to help a tooth through, and not placing anything frozen directly against the gums. Ask your pediatrician before giving any medicine.

Why baby teeth matter

It is tempting to think baby teeth are temporary and therefore unimportant. MouthHealthy explains that primary teeth are essential for chewing, help children speak clearly and smile with confidence, and hold space for the permanent teeth developing beneath them. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain and infection, so it deserves treatment. Our cavities guide explains how decay develops at any age.

Daily care by age

Before teeth appear: wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth.
Once teeth appear: brush gently with a soft, child-sized toothbrush and follow your dentist’s guidance on fluoride toothpaste amounts.
As teeth begin to touch: ask your dentist when to start cleaning between them.

Ask your dentist whether professional fluoride is right for your child; our fluoride treatments guide covers the basics.

When baby teeth fall out

Baby teeth loosen and fall out as the permanent teeth beneath them push up. MouthHealthy notes that baby teeth shed at various times throughout childhood, and its permanent teeth chart shows the usual windows for each tooth. As a broad pattern, the teeth that came in first, the front teeth, also tend to be the first to go, and the transition continues through the early teen years. If a permanent tooth seems to be coming in behind a baby tooth that hasn’t loosened, or a tooth is lost early through injury or decay, mention it to your dentist, who can check whether space needs to be held.

The years of mixed baby and adult teeth are also when bite problems can become visible. Our guide on when kids should see an orthodontist explains why an early check is often recommended.

The first dental visit

Many parents wonder when to start. Your child’s dentist can advise on timing, and our guide to choosing a pediatric or general dentist explains the difference between the two. Early visits are often short and focus on getting comfortable, checking the teeth that have come in, and giving parents care tips.

Keeping track at home

Some parents like to note the date each tooth appears and each one is lost. It is not required, but it gives you something concrete to share if you ever have a question about timing. MouthHealthy’s downloadable eruption charts make this easy, since you can mark each tooth as it arrives and compare it with the typical range rather than with a sibling or friend’s child.

Frequently asked questions

How many baby teeth will my child have?

Twenty. MouthHealthy says children typically have 10 on top and 10 on the bottom by about age 3.

My baby is 10 months old with no teeth. Should I worry?

Not necessarily. MedlinePlus notes that some children show no teeth until well after 8 months and that this is usually normal. If you are concerned, ask your pediatrician or dentist.

Does teething cause a fever?

MedlinePlus says teething does not cause fever or diarrhea. Contact your child’s provider if these occur.

Are teething gels safe?

MouthHealthy relays FDA warnings against benzocaine and lidocaine numbing products for young children. Ask your pediatrician before using any gel or medicine.

Do cavities in baby teeth need fillings?

Often yes. Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and decay can cause pain and infection. Your dentist will explain the options for the specific tooth.

Sources

By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.

Featured image: “Smiling young girl with deciduous teeth” by Basile Morin, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed for the web.

Dentist Review Editorial Team

Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.