Babies get 20 teeth in total. These primary (or “baby”) teeth start appearing around 6 months of age and typically finish coming in by age 2 to 3. The set includes 10 teeth on top and 10 on the bottom, made up of incisors, canines, and molars.
The Full Set: 20 Teeth Broken Down
Those 20 teeth arrive in matching pairs, with each tooth type appearing in both the upper and lower jaw. Here’s what makes up the complete set:
- 8 incisors: Four on top, four on the bottom. These are the flat front teeth used for biting.
- 4 canines: Two on top, two on the bottom. These are the pointed teeth next to the incisors.
- 8 molars: Four on top, four on the bottom. These are the wider, flatter teeth in the back used for chewing.
Unlike the 32 permanent teeth adults eventually get, babies don’t develop premolars or wisdom teeth. The 20 primary teeth are smaller and spaced to fit a child’s jaw, with gaps that naturally widen as the face grows.
When Each Tooth Comes In
Teeth generally arrive in a predictable order, though the exact timing varies from baby to baby. The lower central incisors (the two bottom front teeth) are almost always first, showing up around 6 months. The upper central incisors follow shortly after. From there, the teeth fill in outward: lateral incisors next, then first molars, canines, and finally second molars. Most children have their full set of 20 by around age 3.
Some babies are early teethers, sprouting a first tooth at 4 months. Others don’t see one until closer to 10 months. Both are normal. If your child still has no teeth by about 10 months (or 40 weeks of age), it may be worth mentioning to your pediatrician. Premature babies, in particular, often experience delayed eruption. Research from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that factors like birthweight, gestational age, and neonatal health can significantly affect when that first tooth appears.
In rare cases, babies are actually born with teeth already visible. These “natal teeth” occur in roughly 1 in 289 newborns and sometimes require early dental attention if they’re loose or interfere with feeding.
Signs a Tooth Is Coming
You’ll likely notice teething before you see the tooth. The earliest signs are heavy drooling and a baby who wants to gnaw on everything. Crankiness, disrupted sleep, and general irritability are common as the tooth pushes through the gum. Some babies run a mild temperature below 101°F during teething.
What teething does not cause: high fevers above 101°F, diarrhea, or a runny nose. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, those symptoms point to a viral illness, not teething, even if the timing happens to coincide. It’s easy to blame any discomfort on incoming teeth during the teething months, but infections still need attention on their own.
Caring for the First Teeth
Cleaning should start as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, no bigger than a grain of rice. Brush at least twice a day: once before bed and once at another time that works for your routine. This small amount of fluoride is enough to protect enamel without posing any risk if swallowed. You can increase to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste once your child turns 3.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends scheduling a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday or within six months of that first tooth, whichever comes first. This early visit is less about treatment and more about catching any issues with how teeth are developing and getting personalized guidance on care.
When Baby Teeth Fall Out
Baby teeth are temporary, but they stick around longer than many parents expect. The first ones don’t loosen until around age 6, and the last molars may not fall out until age 12 or 13. The order of loss generally mirrors the order they came in: the bottom front teeth go first, followed by the top front teeth, then lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars last.
These teeth matter even though they’re eventually replaced. They hold space in the jaw for the 32 permanent teeth developing underneath. Losing a baby tooth too early, whether from decay or injury, can cause neighboring teeth to shift and crowd the path for the adult tooth behind it. That’s one reason cavities in baby teeth still need treatment, even though the tooth itself won’t last forever.