Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, starting with the two bottom front teeth. From there, the remaining 19 primary teeth follow a fairly predictable pattern over the next two to two and a half years, filling in from front to back until all 20 are in place.
The Typical Eruption Order
Babies end up with 20 primary teeth total: 10 on top and 10 on the bottom. Lower teeth generally come in before their upper counterparts, and teeth tend to arrive in pairs, one on the left and one on the right. Here’s the usual sequence:
- Lower central incisors (6 to 10 months): The two bottom front teeth are almost always first. These are the thin, flat teeth right in the center of the lower jaw.
- Upper central incisors (8 to 12 months): The matching top front teeth follow shortly after, giving your baby that classic two-top, two-bottom grin.
- Upper lateral incisors (9 to 13 months): These appear on either side of the upper central incisors, filling out the top row.
- Lower lateral incisors (10 to 16 months): The teeth flanking the bottom central incisors come next, completing the set of eight front teeth.
- First molars (13 to 19 months): Both upper and lower first molars emerge toward the back of the mouth, skipping over the canine spot for now. These broader teeth are built for chewing.
- Canines (16 to 23 months): The pointed teeth between the incisors and molars fill in the gap. Upper canines typically appear around the same time as lower canines.
- Second molars (23 to 33 months): The very back teeth are the last to arrive. Once these are in, the full set of 20 primary teeth is complete, usually by age 2½ to 3.
Why the Order Can Vary
This sequence is a general pattern, not a strict rule. Some babies get their upper front teeth before their lower ones. Others skip ahead to lateral incisors before the central pair is fully in. A tooth arriving a few months early or late, or slightly out of the expected order, is common and rarely signals a problem.
What stays consistent for most babies is the front-to-back progression. Incisors come first, followed by first molars, then canines, then second molars. The pairs pattern also holds up well: if you see a tooth on one side, its partner on the opposite side usually shows up within a few weeks.
What Teething Actually Feels Like for Your Baby
The days before a tooth breaks through the gum are often the worst. You’ll likely notice increased drooling, a strong urge to chew on anything within reach, and swollen or tender gums where the tooth is pushing through. Some babies get fussy or have disrupted sleep, while others barely seem bothered.
One persistent myth is that teething causes fever. It doesn’t cause a true fever, though it can raise body temperature slightly, staying under 100.4°F. A temperature at or above 100.4°F is a real fever and points to illness, not teething. This distinction matters especially for babies under 3 months old, where a rectal temperature of 100.4°F or higher is considered serious regardless of whether teeth are coming in.
Caring for New Teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day. That tiny amount is safe to swallow and provides enough fluoride to protect the enamel. Once your child turns 3, you can increase to a pea-sized amount.
The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in, whichever happens first. This early visit is less about fixing problems and more about checking that everything is developing normally and getting your child comfortable in a dental chair before anything complicated needs to happen.
When Teeth Are Late
Some babies don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12 or even 14 months. This is usually just normal variation, often influenced by genetics. If one or both parents were late teethers, the baby is more likely to follow the same timeline. If your baby reaches 18 months with no teeth at all, a pediatric dentist can take a look to rule out uncommon issues like missing tooth buds, but in most cases late teethers catch up without any intervention and end up with a full set of 20 on a slightly delayed schedule.