Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, though the normal range stretches from about 4 to 12 months. The two bottom front teeth almost always come in first, and by age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth in place.
The Typical Teething Timeline
The lower central incisors, your baby’s two bottom front teeth, usually break through the gums between 6 and 10 months. The upper front teeth follow shortly after, typically between 8 and 12 months. From there, teeth tend to arrive in pairs, one on each side of the jaw, working outward from the center of the mouth.
Here’s the general sequence and age range for each set of teeth:
- Lower front teeth: 6 to 10 months
- Upper front teeth: 8 to 12 months
- Upper lateral incisors (next to the front teeth): 9 to 13 months
- Lower lateral incisors: 10 to 16 months
- First molars: 13 to 19 months
- Canines (the pointy ones): 16 to 23 months
- Second molars: 23 to 33 months
Lower teeth generally erupt before their upper counterparts. By roughly 2.5 to 3 years old, all 20 baby teeth (10 on top, 10 on the bottom) are usually in. These teeth eventually fall out in roughly the same order they appeared.
When Late Teething Is Worth Noting
Some perfectly healthy babies don’t get a tooth until well past their first birthday. In clinical terms, delayed eruption is typically defined as no teeth by about 10 months of age, but a late first tooth on its own is rarely a concern. Genetics play a big role. If you or your partner were late teethers, your baby probably will be too.
Babies born prematurely tend to teethe later. Research from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that the severity of neonatal illness, birth weight, and how quickly a premature baby transitioned to full feedings all influenced when the first tooth appeared. For preemies, pediatric dentists often calculate tooth eruption based on the baby’s adjusted age rather than their birth date.
What Teething Actually Feels Like for Your Baby
You’ll likely notice signs of teething a few days before a tooth breaks through. The most common symptoms are increased chewing and gnawing on anything within reach, fussiness or irritability, swollen and tender gums, rubbing at the gums or ears, and changes in eating patterns. Some babies drool more than usual, and some lose interest in nursing or bottles because the sucking motion puts pressure on sore gums.
Teething can cause a slightly elevated temperature, but it does not cause a true fever. Doctors define a true fever as 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. If your baby’s temperature reaches that threshold, something else is going on, and teething shouldn’t be treated as the explanation. The timing is coincidental: babies start teething right around the age when the antibodies they received from their mother begin to fade, making infections more common.
Safe Ways to Soothe Sore Gums
A wet washcloth chilled in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes is one of the simplest and most effective teething remedies. Your baby can gnaw on the cold, textured fabric, and it’s easy to toss in the wash afterward. A clean finger massaged gently along the gums also works well. If you’ve already introduced solid foods, a frozen banana or frozen berries in a mesh feeder can provide relief and a snack at the same time.
Solid teething rings made of rubber or silicone are a good option. Avoid liquid-filled plastic rings, which have been recalled in the past due to bacterial growth inside the liquid and the risk of a baby biting through the ring. If you’re trying to limit plastics, a tightly rolled cotton sock or silicone and latex teething toys are safer alternatives. Whatever you use, clean it after every session. Teething rings can be chilled in the refrigerator or freezer, but take them out before they freeze solid. A rock-hard ring can actually bruise swollen gums.
Products to Avoid
The FDA has issued clear warnings against using numbing gels or tablets for teething pain. Over-the-counter products containing benzocaine can cause a rare but potentially fatal condition in which the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dramatically. Prescription lidocaine solutions are equally dangerous for infants, with risks including seizures, heart problems, and severe brain injury. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been flagged after reports of adverse events. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends sticking to non-medicated options: chilled teethers, gum massage, and firm rubber rings.
Caring for Those First Teeth
Start brushing the moment the first tooth appears. Use a baby-sized toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Brush at least twice a day, with one of those times being right before bed. The easiest position is to sit your baby on your lap with their head resting against your chest, brushing in small circles across all surfaces. Let your child spit out the toothpaste but skip the water rinse, since rinsing washes away the fluoride that protects the enamel.
Your child’s first dental visit should happen between the appearance of their first tooth and their first birthday. This early appointment is less about treatment and more about checking that teeth are developing normally, discussing oral care habits, and getting your baby comfortable with the dental chair before any real work is ever needed.