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Baby Teething Timeline

Children's Dental Health
By: Spirit Dental
September 12, 2019


A mother reading Spirit Dental's guide on a teething timeline while holding her baby


Watching your baby’s first teeth come in is really exciting—and totally adorable. But what order should you expect them to erupt in? And when should you expect to see those small pearly whites show up, anyway? Oh, and how will you know if your little one’s teeth are growing on time? These are all common questions asked by parents, so we’ve created a handy baby teething timeline below that you can use to prepare yourself for what’s ahead.

A quick note: Before we dive in, just keep in mind that this is a general timeline, so your baby’s teeth might come in a little earlier or a little later than what we’ve listed. If you have any questions about your child’s dental health, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician or your child’s dentist.

Child’s Dental Timeline

6-10 Months
The first two teeth to emerge are the lower central incisors, a.k.a. the two front teeth on the bottom. You might notice that these teeth start to emerge around the same time as one another, so your baby might have a cute little pair of chompers before his or her first birthday.
8-12 Months
When your baby is anywhere from 8 months to a year old, the upper central incisors will show themselves. These are the two top teeth in the front of your baby’s mouth, so they will perfectly complement the two on the bottom.
9-13 Months
Next up are the two teeth on either side of the two front teeth on the top. These are known as the lateral incisors. So your baby will now have four lovely little teeth on the top and two on the bottom.
10-16 Months
The lower lateral incisors, the ones opposite to those that just emerged on top, will now begin emerging, giving your child four teeth on top and four on the bottom. Looking cuter than ever!
13-19 Months
Did you think the upper or lower canines were next? Think again! It’s the upper first molars that will appear anywhere from 13 to 19 months of age. They’re basically the molars that are next to the canines on the top row of teeth.
14-18 Months
Before long, your baby will be sporting those lower first molars, making it easier than ever to chew!
16-22 Months
Those canines we mentioned above might show up as early as 16 months, or later, around 22 months. So that little gap that was there will be filled in nicely, first on the top.
17-23 Months
Now it’s time for those lower canines to make themselves known, filling in that gap on the bottom row of teeth and creating an even more beautiful smile every time your baby giggles.
23-31 Months
You might think that more upper teeth are next, but the lower second molars actually come in around 23 months to 31 months of age. They’ll be in the back of your baby’s mouth.
25-33 Months
Finally, the second molars on the top come in, completing your baby’s 20 chompers. Usually, by the time children are three years old, they will have all of their teeth.

Is Your Baby Teething?

Remember, your baby’s teeth might come in on a slightly different schedule than the one discussed above. In fact, you might notice the first tooth emerging as early as four months, or it might be closer to a year before your baby’s first teeth break through the gums. Totally fine, and totally normal, so no need to worry!

Before you actually see a tooth breaking through, however, your child might begin exhibiting teething symptoms, and this could start around the time that your baby is just three to four months old.

What are some of the symptoms of teething that would alert you to the fact that those pearly whites are getting ready to come out?

  • Your baby might start putting various things into his or her mouth to chew on them. That’s because the chewing might help relieve the discomfort. This may be an appropriate time to introduce a teething ring.
  • Your baby might start drooling a lot. This might even lead to a rash around his or her mouth.
  • Your baby may end up with a low fever (under 101°F) associated with teething.
  • Your baby might be fussier than usual because of the pain that comes with teething. You could try gently rubbing your baby’s gums with your finger, or introduce a cold teething ring to provide relief.

Those Tiny Teeth Require Diligent Care!

Your child’s teeth might be small, and temporary, but they do require good care to keep them strong, healthy, and cavity-free. Plus, as your toddler grows, you’ll want to teach him or her about the importance of brushing and flushing, so starting early is highly recommended. And, by the time your baby is one year old, you can even take a trip to the dentist to have your child’s mouth checked by a pro. All of these smart steps will add up to help your baby’s chompers grow in perfectly.

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