Most 9-month-olds have zero to four teeth, with two being the most common count. The first baby teeth, the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors), typically appear between 6 and 10 months, followed by the two top front teeth between 8 and 12 months. So at 9 months, your baby might have their bottom pair already in and the top pair just starting to poke through, or they might still be completely toothless. All of this falls within the normal range.
The Typical Eruption Timeline
Baby teeth follow a fairly predictable sequence, though the timing varies widely from child to child. The lower central incisors come first, usually between 6 and 10 months. The upper central incisors follow at 8 to 12 months. After that, the upper lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the top front teeth) emerge between 9 and 13 months, and the lower lateral incisors between 10 and 16 months. Children eventually get 20 baby teeth total, but that process takes until roughly age 3.
At 9 months specifically, the realistic range is anywhere from zero to four teeth. A baby on the earlier end of the timeline might already have all four front teeth. A baby on the later end might not have broken through any yet. Neither scenario is a problem.
Why Some Babies Get Teeth Earlier or Later
Genetics is the biggest factor. If you or your partner were late teethers, your baby probably will be too. Premature birth also plays a role. Research published by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry found that in the general population, the first tooth erupts somewhere between 24 and 40 weeks of age (roughly 6 to 10 months). Babies born prematurely often fall on the later end of that window or beyond it, partly because their developmental clock started earlier.
Nutrition matters as well. Adequate calcium, vitamin D, and phosphorus support tooth development, so babies with significant nutritional deficiencies may see delays. But for a healthy, full-term baby, being toothless at 9 months is rarely a sign of any underlying issue.
When Late Teething Is Worth Mentioning
Pediatric dentists generally consider tooth eruption “delayed” if no teeth have appeared by about 10 months of chronologic age (40 weeks). Even then, many perfectly healthy babies simply run late. If your child reaches 12 to 13 months without a single tooth, it’s worth bringing up with your pediatrician or dentist, but the cause is almost always just individual variation. Conditions that genuinely delay eruption, like certain thyroid or nutritional disorders, are uncommon and usually come with other noticeable symptoms.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
Before a tooth breaks through, you’ll likely notice increased drooling, a strong urge to chew on everything, and irritability. Your baby’s gums may look swollen or feel firm in the spot where a tooth is pushing up. Some parents report mild fussiness at night or a slight decrease in appetite.
One thing teething does not cause is a true fever. It can nudge your baby’s temperature slightly above the normal 98.6°F baseline, but it won’t reach 100.4°F or higher. That threshold defines a fever, and a fever signals an infection, not teething. If your 9-month-old has a temperature of 100.4°F or above, something else is going on and it shouldn’t be dismissed as a teething symptom.
Safe Ways to Ease Teething Pain
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends two simple approaches: rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger, and offering a firm rubber teething ring to chew on. The teething ring should not be frozen solid, because something too hard can actually bruise tender gums. A chilled (not frozen) ring or a cool, wet washcloth works well.
Several products marketed for teething pain are genuinely dangerous. The FDA warns against using any oral numbing gels or liquids containing benzocaine or lidocaine on infants. Benzocaine (found in products like Orajel and Anbesol) can cause a life-threatening condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Lidocaine solutions can cause seizures, heart problems, and severe brain injury in young children. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been flagged for safety concerns.
Teething jewelry, including amber necklaces and silicone bead necklaces, poses choking and strangulation risks. The FDA has received reports of infant deaths linked to these products.
Caring for New Teeth
As soon as that first tooth appears, it needs brushing. Use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. That tiny amount is safe to swallow and provides enough fluoride to protect the new enamel. Brush twice a day, paying attention to the gum line where plaque tends to collect.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your baby’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This initial visit is mostly about checking development and giving you guidance on oral care. It’s quick, low-key, and sets a baseline for future checkups.
If your 9-month-old doesn’t have teeth yet, you can still wipe their gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings. This removes bacteria and gets your baby used to the sensation of having their mouth cleaned, which makes the transition to a toothbrush easier once those first teeth do arrive.