Most 8-month-olds have two to four teeth, though some have none at all. A widely used rule of thumb is that babies get roughly four teeth for every six months of life, which puts an 8-month-old right around two to four. But healthy babies vary a lot, and the range of normal is wider than most parents expect.
What the Typical Timeline Looks Like
Teething usually starts between four and seven months. The lower central incisors, the two bottom front teeth, almost always come in first, typically between 6 and 10 months. The upper central incisors follow, usually between 8 and 12 months. So at 8 months, the most common scenario is that your baby has their two bottom front teeth and may be working on the top two.
Some babies are ahead of schedule, already sporting four teeth by 8 months. Others are a bit behind, with just one tooth barely poking through. A smaller number of perfectly healthy babies still have a completely gummy smile at this age. Genetics play a big role. If you or your partner teethed late, your baby is more likely to as well.
The Full Eruption Sequence
After those first bottom front teeth, here’s the general order you can expect over the next couple of years, based on American Dental Association data:
- Lower central incisors: 6 to 10 months
- Upper central incisors: 8 to 12 months
- Upper lateral incisors (the teeth flanking the front two): 9 to 13 months
- Lower lateral incisors: 10 to 16 months
- First molars (upper and lower): 13 to 19 months
- Canines (upper and lower): 16 to 23 months
- Second molars (upper and lower): 23 to 33 months
By age 3, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Notice how wide those age ranges are. A baby who gets their upper lateral incisors at 9 months and one who gets them at 13 months are both completely normal.
Zero Teeth at 8 Months Is Usually Fine
If your 8-month-old doesn’t have any teeth yet, that alone isn’t a reason to worry. Some babies don’t get their first tooth until 12 months or even a little later. The four-teeth-per-six-months guideline is an average, not a requirement. Babies born prematurely often teethe later when you adjust for their corrected age. Nutritional status and family history also influence timing.
That said, if your baby reaches 18 months with no teeth at all, that’s worth bringing up with a pediatric dentist. At that point, an evaluation can rule out uncommon conditions that affect tooth development.
Signs a Tooth Is Coming In
You’ll often notice symptoms before you can actually see a tooth. Increased drooling, chewing on anything within reach, and fussiness are the classic signs. Your baby’s gums may look red or swollen where a tooth is about to break through. Some babies have disrupted sleep or refuse to eat for a day or two.
Teething does not cause high fevers. A very slight rise in temperature (below 100.4°F) can happen, but anything above that is more likely an unrelated illness. Diarrhea and rashes are also commonly blamed on teething, but there isn’t strong evidence connecting them.
Safe Ways to Ease Teething Pain
The simplest approach is also one of the most effective: gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. The pressure provides relief. You can also give your baby a firm rubber teething ring to chew on. Avoid liquid-filled teethers that could leak, and don’t freeze teething rings, as a rock-hard surface can actually bruise tender gums. A chilled (not frozen) ring is a better option.
Two products to avoid entirely. The FDA has warned against benzocaine-containing gels marketed for teething pain, because they can cause a rare but serious condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. The FDA has also reported deaths and serious injuries from teething jewelry, including amber necklaces, due to strangulation and choking risks.
Caring for Those First Teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. That tiny amount is safe even though your baby can’t spit yet, and it helps protect new enamel from decay. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American Dental Association all recommend fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth onward.
Brush twice a day, paying particular attention to where the tooth meets the gum line. Even a single tooth can develop a cavity if milk or food residue sits on it overnight, so a quick brush before bed matters.
When to Schedule a First Dental Visit
The current recommendation is to see a dentist by your child’s first birthday or within six months of their first tooth, whichever comes first. If your baby got their first tooth at 6 months, that means a dental visit by 12 months. These early appointments are short and low-key. The dentist checks for early signs of decay, looks at how the teeth are coming in, and gives you guidance on cleaning and diet. Starting early also helps your child get comfortable with dental visits before they’re old enough to feel anxious about them.