The two bottom front teeth, called the lower central incisors, are almost always the first baby teeth to appear. They typically break through the gums between 6 and 10 months of age, though the exact timing varies from baby to baby. From there, the remaining 18 primary teeth follow a fairly predictable pattern over the next two years.
The Full Eruption Order
After the two bottom front teeth arrive, the four upper front teeth come next, usually between 8 and 13 months. This group includes both the central incisors (the two middle teeth on top) and the lateral incisors (the ones on either side). The lower lateral incisors follow shortly after.
From there, the pattern continues outward and back through the mouth:
- Lower central incisors (bottom front two): 6 to 10 months
- Upper central and lateral incisors (top front four): 8 to 13 months
- Lower lateral incisors (bottom sides): 10 to 16 months
- First molars (top and bottom): 13 to 19 months
- Canines (the pointed teeth): 16 to 23 months
- Second molars (top and bottom, in the very back): 20 to 30 months
One useful rule of thumb: for most tooth types, the lower teeth tend to show up slightly before their upper counterparts. Baby teeth also tend to erupt in pairs, with the left and right versions of the same tooth appearing within days or weeks of each other.
Most children have their full set of 20 primary teeth by age 3. The entire process takes roughly two and a half years from the first tooth to the last.
Why Some Babies Get Teeth Earlier or Later
The age ranges listed above are averages, and many perfectly healthy babies fall outside them. Some infants sprout a first tooth at 4 months, while others don’t see one until after their first birthday. Genetics plays the biggest role. If you or your partner teethed early, your baby is more likely to as well.
Premature birth can shift the timeline, too. Babies born early often hit teething milestones later when measured by their birth date, but closer to schedule when measured by their original due date. Nutritional factors, particularly calcium and vitamin D intake, can also influence timing. If your baby hasn’t developed any teeth by 9 months, it’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician. In most cases nothing is wrong, but occasionally delayed eruption signals a nutritional gap or an underlying condition worth checking.
Signs a Tooth Is About to Come In
Teething symptoms often start a few days before the tooth actually pokes through. The gum over the emerging tooth may look red and swollen, and your baby will likely drool more than usual. Other common signs include fussiness, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, chewing on anything within reach, a flushed cheek on the side where the tooth is coming in, and ear rubbing.
A slight rise in temperature is normal during teething, but a true fever above 100.4°F (38°C) is not caused by teething. If your baby develops a high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea while teething, those symptoms have a separate cause and deserve attention on their own.
Soothing Teething Discomfort
The simplest relief is also the most effective: gently rub your baby’s sore gums with a clean finger or knuckle. The counter-pressure feels good to them, and it works especially well at bedtime when fussiness tends to peak. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring or cold washcloth gives your baby something safe to gnaw on.
Numbing gels marketed for babies are not recommended. Drool washes them away almost immediately, and topical anesthetics pose real safety risks for infants. Products containing benzocaine have been linked to a serious condition that affects how red blood cells carry oxygen. Lidocaine-based products carry risks of heart problems and seizures. Homeopathic teething tablets, particularly those containing belladonna, have also raised safety concerns. And rubbing alcohol on the gums, an old home remedy, is dangerous because infants absorb it rapidly into the bloodstream.
If your baby seems truly uncomfortable, an occasional dose of infant acetaminophen can help. Check with your pediatrician on the right amount for your baby’s weight.
When to Schedule a First Dental Visit
Current guidelines recommend taking your child to the dentist by age 1, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. That first visit is brief and low-key. The dentist checks that the teeth are developing normally and can give you guidance on cleaning those new teeth and protecting them from early decay. Starting dental visits early also helps your child get comfortable with the experience before they’re old enough to be anxious about it.
Baby Teeth Fall Out in the Same Order
Years down the road, primary teeth typically fall out in the same sequence they arrived. The bottom front teeth loosen first, usually around age 6, followed by the top front teeth. The lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars follow in roughly the same order they erupted. The last baby teeth are usually gone by age 12 or 13, replaced by their permanent successors.