What Order Should Your Baby's Teeth Arrive In?
Quick answer: Most babies cut their first tooth between six and ten months, usually a lower central incisor, and have all twenty baby teeth in place by around age three. The order teeth arrive in matters more than the exact month. At JuniorDental, parents hear the same reassurance most need: a few months' variation in either direction is normal, and the first dental visit should happen by the first tooth or first birthday, whichever comes first.
Baby Teeth Arrival Schedule, Month by Month
Central Incisors:
- Upper jaw: 8–12 months
- Lower jaw: 6–10 months
Lateral Incisors:
- Upper jaw: 9–13 months
- Lower jaw: 10–16 months
First Molars:
- Upper jaw: 13–19 months
- Lower jaw: 14–18 months
Canines:
- Upper jaw: 16–22 months
- Lower jaw: 17–23 months
Second Molars:
- Upper jaw: 25–33 months
- Lower jaw: 23–31 months
Treat these ranges as a guide, not a deadline. A six-month spread on either side of average still falls within normal.
The order most babies follow
1. Lower central incisors, around six to ten months
2. Upper central incisors, around eight to twelve months
3. Upper lateral incisors, around nine to thirteen months
4. Lower lateral incisors, around ten to sixteen months
5. First molars, around thirteen to nineteen months
6. Canines, around sixteen to twenty-three months
7. Second molars, around twenty-three to thirty-three months
How teething feels for a baby
Drool increases, and your baby may gnaw on hands, toys or anything within reach. Mild irritability and broken sleep are common for a day or two around a new tooth, along with warm cheeks, puffy gums, and a smaller appetite. A high fever, diarrhea or a persistent rash are not teething symptoms. Call your pediatrician if any of those show up.
Relief that pediatric dentists recommend
A chilled, not frozen, silicone teether helps, as does a clean damp washcloth for gnawing. Gentle finger massage on the gums works well too, and comfort from a parent does more for a fussy baby than any product on the shelf. Amber teething necklaces, benzocaine gels and homeopathic teething tablets carry documented safety concerns for infants and are worth avoiding.
Why the first visit matters more than parents expect
Global pediatric dentistry guidance calls for a first dental visit by the first tooth or the first birthday, whichever lands first. Dr. Rafif Tayara, founder of JuniorDental, points out that early visits are less about treatment and more about catching small problems before they turn into pain, while helping a child grow comfortable with the dentist's chair from the start. JuniorDental sees children from birth, and the first appointment is built around that early-visit guidance.
Frequently asked questions
My baby is twelve months old with no teeth yet. Is that a problem?
Not necessarily. Eruption up to fifteen or eighteen months is common and sometimes runs in families. Book a dental visit if no teeth have appeared by eighteen months.
Should I brush gums before any teeth erupt?
Wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds. Once the first tooth breaks through, brush twice daily with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste.
Why did my baby's teeth arrive out of the usual order?
Order matters more than exact timing, and small variations are usually harmless. A dentist should look at persistent asymmetry or teeth that seem to be missing.
Do baby teeth matter if they eventually fall out?
Yes. They hold space for adult teeth, guide jaw growth, protect airway space, and support speech and chewing along the way.
