Most babies have between two and eight teeth by their first birthday, with six being a common number at the 12-month mark. The exact count varies quite a bit from one child to another, and some perfectly healthy babies still have no teeth at all when they turn one.
Which Teeth Come In First
Baby teeth follow a fairly predictable sequence, even if the timing differs. The two lower front teeth (central incisors) are almost always the first to appear, typically between 6 and 10 months. The two upper front teeth follow shortly after, usually between 8 and 12 months. Next come the upper lateral incisors, the teeth on either side of the top front two, followed by the lower lateral incisors.
By 12 months, a baby who’s right on the average timeline will have their four front teeth on top and two on the bottom, giving them six teeth total. Babies on the faster end may already have all four upper and all four lower incisors, totaling eight. Babies on the slower end might only have their two bottom teeth, or none at all. First molars don’t typically start arriving until 13 to 19 months, so those aren’t part of the picture at age one.
What’s Normal and What’s Not
There’s a wide window for when the first tooth shows up. Some babies cut a tooth as early as 4 months, while others don’t see one until after their first birthday. Both ends of that range are normal. Genetics play the biggest role in timing. If you or your partner were late teethers, your baby likely will be too.
If your baby has zero teeth by 18 months, that’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician. Before that point, a late start on its own isn’t a concern.
Teething Signs Around 12 Months
At this age, your baby is likely in the middle of an active stretch of teething. The upper lateral incisors are often working their way through right around the first birthday, which means you may notice extra drooling, red or swollen gums, fussiness, disrupted sleep, decreased appetite, and a strong urge to bite or chew on anything within reach. These symptoms tend to come and go as each new tooth pushes through, and they usually peak in the day or two before a tooth breaks the surface.
Some parents worry when teething coincides with a low fever or loose stools. Mild temperature increases can happen during teething, but a true fever (above 100.4°F) is more likely from an illness that just happened to show up at the same time.
Caring for Those First Teeth
Brushing should start as soon as the first tooth appears, not when your baby has a full set. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association all recommend fluoride toothpaste for children under three at that rice-grain amount. The CDC takes a slightly more cautious stance, suggesting parents consult with a dentist or doctor before introducing fluoride toothpaste to children under two.
Brush twice a day, especially before bed. At this age, you’re doing all the brushing yourself. Lay your baby in your lap or on a changing surface so you can see into their mouth clearly. Focus on the gum line where plaque builds up, and gently brush the front and back of each tooth.
Bottle Feeding and Decay Risk
New teeth are especially vulnerable to decay because their enamel is still maturing. Milk, formula, and juice all contain sugars that can pool around the teeth when a baby falls asleep with a bottle. Research from the University of Sydney found that children who were bottle-fed to sleep at age three had nearly twice as many teeth affected by decay in early childhood. The risk starts well before age three, though, which is why health guidelines recommend introducing cups at 6 months and phasing out bottles by 12 months. If your baby still takes a bedtime bottle at one, switching to water for that last feeding protects their new teeth.
The First Dental Visit
Your child’s first dental appointment should happen between the eruption of their first tooth and their first birthday, whichever comes first. This visit is less about treatment and more about establishing a baseline. The dentist checks for early signs of decay, looks at how the teeth and jaw are developing, and walks you through brushing technique and nutrition for healthy teeth. Many parents assume dental visits can wait until a child has most of their teeth, but catching problems early, especially in babies with higher decay risk, makes a real difference.
The Full Baby Teeth Timeline
After the first birthday, teeth keep arriving steadily. First molars show up between 13 and 19 months, canines (the pointy teeth) between 16 and 23 months, and second molars between 23 and 33 months. By age three, most children have all 20 primary teeth. These baby teeth stick around longer than many parents expect. The last ones don’t fall out until age 11 or 12, so keeping them healthy from the start matters for years of chewing, speech development, and holding space for the permanent teeth underneath.