Most 9-month-old babies have two to four teeth, though anywhere from zero to six is perfectly normal. The lower central incisors (the two bottom front teeth) usually appear first, between 6 and 10 months, followed by the upper central incisors between 8 and 12 months. Since these ranges overlap right around 9 months, some babies will have all four front teeth while others are still waiting for their first one to break through.
Which Teeth Come In First
Baby teeth follow a fairly predictable order. The two bottom front teeth lead the way, typically arriving between 6 and 10 months. The two upper front teeth come next, between 8 and 12 months. After those, the upper lateral incisors (the teeth flanking the front two) start appearing between 9 and 13 months, and the lower lateral incisors follow between 10 and 16 months.
At 9 months, a baby is right in the window for the first four teeth. But because each tooth has a wide eruption range, there’s a lot of variation. A baby who got their bottom teeth at 6 months and top teeth at 8 months could already have four teeth by now. A baby whose bottom teeth didn’t appear until 9 months might have just two. Both scenarios are completely typical. Children eventually get all 20 baby teeth, and starting earlier or later has no effect on how healthy those teeth turn out to be.
What If Your Baby Has No Teeth at 9 Months
Some 9-month-olds haven’t cut a single tooth yet, and this is not unusual. Tooth eruption timing is largely genetic. If you or your partner were late teethers, your baby likely will be too. Premature babies also tend to get teeth later, based on their adjusted age rather than their birth date.
A delay only becomes worth investigating if your child has no teeth by 12 months. At that point, a dentist can check for any underlying issues. In the vast majority of cases, the teeth are simply taking their time and will appear on their own within the next few months.
Signs a Tooth Is About to Appear
Before a tooth breaks through, you’ll likely notice changes in your baby’s behavior and their gums. The gums where a tooth is erupting often look red, swollen, and tender. You might even feel a hard bump under the surface if you gently run a clean finger along the gum line.
Common teething signs include:
- Increased drooling, sometimes enough to soak through bibs
- Fussiness and irritability, especially in the days before a tooth emerges
- Chewing or biting on objects, from toys to fingers to the edge of a crib
- Disrupted sleep, with more frequent night waking
- Reduced appetite, particularly for solid foods that press on sore gums
One important distinction: teething does not cause a true fever. Your baby’s temperature might rise slightly, but anything above 100.4°F (38°C) is not from teething and points to something else, like an infection.
Safe Ways to Ease Teething Pain
Gently rubbing or massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger is one of the simplest and most effective ways to provide relief. You can also give them a firm rubber teething ring to chew on. Avoid frozen teethers, which can be hard enough to bruise tender gums. A chilled (not frozen) ring or a cold, wet washcloth works well.
Several popular teething products are actually dangerous. The FDA warns against using benzocaine gels (sold over the counter for oral pain) on infants because they can cause a rare but serious condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Prescription lidocaine solutions are even more dangerous for babies, with risks including seizures, heart problems, and death. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been linked to serious harm in children. And amber teething necklaces, despite their popularity, pose real strangulation and choking risks. The FDA has received reports of infant deaths associated with teething jewelry.
Caring for New Teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Brush twice a day, including right before bed. Even though these teeth will eventually fall out, they’re vulnerable to decay from the moment they emerge, particularly if your baby falls asleep with a bottle of milk or juice.
Major pediatric dental organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend scheduling your child’s first dental visit before their first birthday. This early appointment is less about treatment and more about establishing a baseline, checking that teeth are developing normally, and getting personalized guidance on care.