Most 9-month-olds have between zero and four teeth, with two being the most common count. The two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) typically break through first, followed by the two top front teeth. But the range of normal is wide, and some perfectly healthy babies don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12 months.
What’s Normal at 9 Months
Baby teeth generally start appearing around 6 months, though some infants sprout their first tooth as early as 3 months and others not until 12 months. By the 6-to-12-month window, most babies will have up to four teeth. At exactly 9 months, you’re right in the middle of that window, so anywhere from zero to four teeth falls within the expected range.
The first teeth to arrive are almost always the two lower central incisors, the small, flat teeth at the bottom center of the mouth. The two upper central incisors usually follow shortly after. If your 9-month-old has two bottom teeth and two top teeth just poking through, that’s a textbook timeline. If they only have one tooth, or none at all, that’s also perfectly normal.
Which Teeth Come In First
Baby teeth follow a fairly predictable sequence, even though the timing varies from child to child. After the four front teeth (central incisors), the lateral incisors come next. These are the teeth directly beside the front ones. Then come the first molars, the canines (the pointed teeth), and finally the second molars. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by age 3.
At 9 months, you’re likely only seeing the very beginning of this process. Don’t expect molars or canines for a while yet.
When No Teeth Is a Concern
A 9-month-old with zero teeth is not considered delayed. Pediatric dentists don’t classify late teething until a child reaches 12 to 13 months without a single tooth. If your baby passes their first birthday with completely bare gums, that’s the point to bring it up with a dentist. Before that, there’s no medical reason to worry.
Genetics play the biggest role in when teeth appear. If you or your partner were late teethers, your baby likely will be too.
Signs a Tooth Is Coming
If your 9-month-old is drooling more than usual, chewing on everything, or unusually fussy, a new tooth is probably on its way. The gums where a tooth is about to erupt often look red, swollen, and tender. Other common teething signs include difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and biting or gnawing on objects.
One important distinction: teething can cause a very slight rise in temperature, but a true fever above 100.4°F (38°C) is not caused by teething. Diarrhea, vomiting, and rashes are also not teething symptoms, even though they’re commonly blamed on it. Those warrant a call to your pediatrician.
Soothing Teething Pain
The simplest relief is also one of the most effective. Rubbing your baby’s gums firmly with a clean finger or a piece of wet gauze for about two minutes can ease discomfort, and you can do it as often as needed. The counter-pressure on sore gums works surprisingly well.
Chilled (not frozen) teething rings, pacifiers, or wet washcloths from the refrigerator also help. If you use a teething ring, look for one filled with distilled water rather than gel, since new teeth can puncture the ring. Avoid anything frozen, including ice or frozen pops, because these can cause frostbite on delicate gum tissue. And skip dipping teething items in sugar or honey.
If your baby normally breastfeeds but is refusing because of sore gums, try offering breast milk in a cup instead. The sucking motion can aggravate tender gums, so a cup sidesteps the problem.
Caring for New Teeth
Once that first tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day from the first tooth until age 3. A soft-bristled infant toothbrush is all you need. Gently brush the front and back of each tooth and along the gumline.
Both the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend scheduling a child’s first dental visit before their first birthday. If your 9-month-old already has teeth coming in, now is a reasonable time to book that appointment. The visit is brief and focused on checking that development looks normal, plus it gets your baby comfortable with the dentist early.