Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, but teeth can appear much earlier. Some babies are born with teeth already visible, and others don’t see a first tooth until after their first birthday. The range is wide, and almost all of it is normal.
The Typical Timeline
The first tooth usually appears around 6 months of age, with most babies developing teeth somewhere between 6 and 12 months. The lower front teeth (bottom central incisors) almost always come in first, followed by the upper front teeth a month or two later. By age 3, most children have all 20 of their primary teeth.
After the front teeth arrive, the lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front two) typically follow, then the first molars, canines, and finally the second molars. The exact timing varies from baby to baby, and the order can occasionally shuffle. One child might get a top tooth first while another starts with the bottom. None of this signals a problem.
Babies Born With Teeth
Some babies arrive with teeth already in place. These are called natal teeth, and a 2023 analysis found they occur in roughly 1 out of every 289 newborns worldwide. A smaller number of babies develop teeth within the first month of life, at about one-third the rate of natal teeth.
These early teeth are usually the lower front teeth and often have very little root structure, which can make them loose. That looseness is the main concern: a tooth that’s wobbly enough could pose a choking risk if it falls out. Early teeth can also cause problems with breastfeeding. The tooth may rub against the underside of the baby’s tongue, creating a painful ulcer that makes the baby reluctant to feed. Mothers may experience nipple pain during nursing as well, though this doesn’t happen in every case.
If your baby is born with a tooth or develops one in the first few weeks, a dentist or pediatrician will check how firmly it’s attached. Stable teeth are generally left alone. Loose ones may need to be removed to prevent complications.
Teething Signs Before the Tooth Appears
You might notice teething symptoms weeks before a tooth actually breaks through the gum. Babies as young as 2 or 3 months sometimes start drooling heavily and chewing on their hands, which parents often interpret as early teething. Sometimes it is, but at that age, increased drooling and hand-chewing are also just normal developmental behavior as babies explore the world with their mouths.
When a tooth is genuinely on its way, common signs include:
- Red, swollen gums where the tooth is pushing through
- More drooling than usual
- Chewing and gnawing on fingers, toys, or anything within reach
- One flushed cheek
- A facial rash from excess drool
- Ear rubbing on the same side as the incoming tooth
- Fussiness and disrupted sleep
Teething Does Not Cause a True Fever
Teething can nudge your baby’s body temperature slightly above normal, but it won’t cause a real fever. A fever is defined as 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If your baby hits that threshold or goes beyond it, something else is going on, most likely an infection. The timing can be coincidental since babies begin teething around the same age their immune protection from the womb starts to fade, making infections more common. Don’t write off a fever as “just teething.”
When Late Teething Is a Concern
Some perfectly healthy babies don’t get a first tooth until 12 or even 14 months. Genetics play a large role: if you or your partner were late teethers, your baby may be too. Premature babies also tend to teethe later when measured by birth date rather than due date.
That said, if your baby has no teeth at all by 12 months, it’s worth a dental visit. The dentist can check whether teeth are developing beneath the gums and, if needed, refer you to a specialist. If a child still hasn’t gotten all their baby teeth by age 4, that also warrants a closer look.
Caring for That First Tooth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, even if your baby is only 6 months old. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, roughly the size of a grain of rice. That small amount is safe to swallow and provides enough fluoride to protect the new enamel. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Dental Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry all recommend fluoride toothpaste from the very first tooth.
Before any teeth come in, you can wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings. This helps establish a routine and keeps the mouth clean for incoming teeth. Once that first tooth does arrive, brushing twice a day, morning and before bed, sets a pattern that will carry through childhood.