Most 17-month-olds have between 8 and 12 teeth, though anywhere from 4 to 16 falls within the normal range. A common rule of thumb is that children get roughly four teeth for every six months of life, which puts a 17-month-old right around 10 to 12. But teeth follow their own schedule, and healthy toddlers can be several months ahead or behind those averages.
Which Teeth Are Typically In at 17 Months
By 17 months, most children have their eight front teeth: four upper and four lower incisors. The lower central incisors usually come in first, between 6 and 10 months, followed by the upper central incisors around 8 to 12 months. The lateral incisors (the ones on either side of the front teeth) fill in over the next several months, with the upper laterals arriving around 9 to 13 months and the lower laterals between 10 and 16 months.
Beyond those eight front teeth, the first molars are the big development happening right around 17 months. These are the flat, broader teeth toward the back of the mouth. Upper first molars typically emerge between 13 and 19 months, lower first molars between 14 and 18 months. A prospective study published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that first molars start becoming palpable around 14 months on average but don’t fully emerge until closer to 17 or 18 months. So at 17 months, your toddler may have molars that are just breaking through, fully visible, or not yet started.
The canines (the pointed teeth between the incisors and molars) are next in line. Upper canines come in between 16 and 22 months, lower canines between 17 and 23 months. Some 17-month-olds will already have one or two canines poking through, while most won’t see them for a few more months.
What Counts as a Normal Range
The variation between children is wide. A 17-month-old with 6 teeth and one with 14 teeth can both be perfectly healthy. Genetics, nutrition, and prematurity all influence timing. Children born premature often hit teething milestones later when measured by birth age rather than adjusted age.
If your child has no teeth at all by 9 months, that’s the threshold where most providers recommend an evaluation. By 17 months, nearly all children have at least a few teeth. If your toddler hasn’t cut any by this age, a pediatric dentist can check for underlying causes, which range from simple family patterns of late eruption to less common conditions like hypothyroidism or certain genetic syndromes. For the vast majority of late teethers, though, the teeth simply arrive on a slower timeline with no lasting consequences.
Molar Teething at 17 Months
If your 17-month-old seems crankier than usual, first molars are a likely culprit. Molars have a larger, flatter surface than incisors, which means more gum tissue has to stretch and break for them to come through. Many parents notice increased drooling, disrupted sleep, ear pulling, and fussiness that can last on and off for weeks as these teeth work their way in.
For relief, soft rubber teething toys work well at this age. A damp washcloth twisted up and placed in the freezer gives your toddler something cold and textured to gnaw on, but avoid letting them chew on anything frozen solid, since hard objects can bruise tender gums. A cold sippy cup of water does double duty: hydration plus a soft spout to chew on. Gently massaging the sore spots on your child’s gums with a clean finger or knuckle can also help, especially at bedtime when discomfort tends to feel worse.
Topical numbing gels marketed for teething are not recommended for babies and toddlers. Excess drool washes them away too quickly to be effective, and the active ingredients can pose safety risks. If your child is in significant discomfort, talk to your pediatrician about age-appropriate pain relief options.
Caring for New Teeth
With molars arriving, your toddler now has chewing surfaces where food can collect. The American Dental Association recommends brushing with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears, using an amount no larger than a grain of rice for children under 3. A small, soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day, especially before bed, helps protect those new molars from early decay.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the ADA, and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend a first dental visit before a child’s first birthday. If your 17-month-old hasn’t been to a dentist yet, it’s not too late. A pediatric dentist can check that teeth are coming in properly, look for early signs of cavities, and give you specific guidance on brushing technique and fluoride use for your child’s situation.
What Comes Next
Children eventually get 20 primary teeth total. After the first molars and canines finish arriving (usually by age 2), the second molars come in between 23 and 33 months. Most kids have their full set of baby teeth by age 3. These primary teeth stick around until age 6 or so, when permanent teeth gradually begin replacing them, a process that continues into the early teen years.