Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, starting with the two bottom front teeth. From there, teeth arrive in a fairly predictable pattern, working from front to back, until all 20 primary teeth are in place by roughly age 2½ to 3. A useful rule of thumb: for every six months of life, expect about four new teeth to appear.
The Full Eruption Sequence
Lower teeth generally come in slightly before their upper counterparts. Here’s the typical order and age range for each set:
- Lower central incisors (bottom front two): 6 to 10 months
- Upper central incisors (top front two): 8 to 12 months
- Upper lateral incisors (flanking the top front teeth): 9 to 13 months
- Lower lateral incisors (flanking the bottom front teeth): 10 to 16 months
- First molars (upper and lower): 11 to 19 months
- Canines (upper and lower): 16 to 23 months
- Second molars (lower then upper): 20 to 33 months
Teeth almost always arrive in pairs, one on each side of the jaw. So when you see one bottom front tooth push through, the other is usually close behind. By the time all 20 teeth are in (10 on top, 10 on the bottom), your child has four incisors, two canines, and four molars in each jaw.
Front Teeth Come First
The eight incisors, your baby’s front teeth, fill in during the first year or so. The bottom center pair leads the way around 6 months, followed by the top center pair a couple of months later. The lateral incisors (the teeth just beside the center ones) come next, filling out that initial row. This is the stage most parents notice first, since the teeth are visible every time a baby smiles or cries.
These front teeth are thin and sharp, designed for biting rather than chewing. Babies at this stage can handle soft finger foods but aren’t yet equipped for tougher textures.
Molars and Canines Fill In Next
After the front eight teeth are in, there’s often a brief pause before the first molars arrive, typically between 11 and 19 months. These are the broad, flat teeth toward the back of the mouth. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry places the window for first molars at 11 to 18 months for both the upper and lower jaw, though there’s some individual variation.
The canines, the pointed teeth between the incisors and molars, usually show up between 16 and 23 months. Many parents find the canines cause more fussiness than the front teeth because they’re thicker and push through a denser area of gum tissue.
Finally, the second molars close out the set. These arrive between 20 and 33 months, completing the row of teeth at the very back of the mouth. Once those last molars are in, your child has a full set of 20 primary teeth.
Wide Variation Is Normal
The ranges listed above are averages, and plenty of healthy babies fall outside them. Some babies sprout their first tooth at 4 months. Others don’t get one until after their first birthday. Both situations are within the range of normal development. Genetics play a large role: if you or your partner teethed early or late, your baby may follow the same pattern.
The order can also vary slightly. Some babies get their upper front teeth before the lower ones, or a lateral incisor pokes through before a central one. These minor shuffles are common and rarely a concern. What matters more than exact timing is that teeth are coming in at all. If your child has no teeth by 12 months, a visit to a pediatric dentist is a reasonable next step. And if all 20 teeth haven’t appeared by age 4, a professional evaluation can help rule out any underlying issues.
Babies Born With Teeth
In rare cases, babies are born with one or more teeth already visible. These are called natal teeth, and they occur in roughly 1 in 289 newborns worldwide. Teeth that appear within the first 30 days after birth (neonatal teeth) are even less common, showing up in about 1 in 2,200 babies. These early teeth are sometimes loose and may need to be monitored or removed if they pose a choking risk or interfere with breastfeeding, but in many cases they’re simply early-arriving normal teeth.
What Teething Actually Feels Like for Babies
Teething has a reputation for causing all sorts of misery, but the reality is milder than most parents expect. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that teething babies are “little different from kids who are not teething.” Mild gum discomfort is real, but it shouldn’t dramatically change a baby’s mood, sleep, or daily routine.
One of the most persistent myths is that teething causes fevers. It doesn’t. Teething may nudge a baby’s temperature slightly above their baseline, but it won’t push it to 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. A true fever at that level signals an infection, not a new tooth. The same goes for diarrhea and diaper rash: these have other causes and shouldn’t be dismissed as teething symptoms.
Drooling, chewing on objects, and mild irritability are the most reliable signs that a tooth is on its way. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gentle gum massage with a clean finger can ease the discomfort. If your baby seems to be in significant pain, is sleeping poorly for days, or has a fever, something other than teething is likely going on.
First Dental Visit Timing
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling a child’s first dental visit when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday, whichever comes first. This early visit isn’t about drilling or filling. It establishes a baseline, catches any early issues with tooth development, and gives you a chance to ask about cleaning, fluoride, and bottle habits before problems start.