Updated November 2026.
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, though anywhere from about 4 to 12 months is normal. The first teeth are usually the two bottom front teeth, followed by the top front teeth. Teeth keep coming in until about age 3, when most children have all 20 baby teeth.
Your baby’s first tooth is an exciting milestone, and it often arrives with drool, chewing and a few fussy nights. This guide explains when babies get teeth, the order baby teeth come in, a month-by-month teething chart, how to tell teething from illness, safe ways to soothe sore gums, and how to protect brand-new teeth from the very first day, something that matters even more for keiki in Hawaiʻi.
When do babies get teeth?
Every baby is born with 20 baby teeth already forming under the gums. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), these primary teeth start to come in at about 6 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says most babies develop teeth between 6 and 12 months, and that most children have all of their baby teeth by age 3.
The range is wide. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) notes that some babies get teeth as early as 3 months, while others don’t have a full set until age 3. Timing often runs in families, so ask when you or your partner got your first teeth.
Baby teething timeline and chart
This chart shows the typical order and age range for each pair of baby teeth, plus when each one usually falls out. Ages come from the ADA’s primary tooth eruption chart.
| Order | Tooth | Usually comes in | Usually falls out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower central incisors (bottom front) | 6–10 months | 6–7 years |
| 2 | Upper central incisors (top front) | 8–12 months | 6–7 years |
| 3 | Upper lateral incisors | 9–13 months | 7–8 years |
| 4 | Lower lateral incisors | 10–16 months | 7–8 years |
| 5 | Upper first molars | 13–19 months | 9–11 years |
| 6 | Lower first molars | 14–18 months | 9–11 years |
| 7 | Upper canines (eyeteeth) | 16–22 months | 10–12 years |
| 8 | Lower canines | 17–23 months | 9–12 years |
| 9 | Lower second molars | 23–31 months | 10–12 years |
| 10 | Upper second molars | 25–33 months | 10–12 years |
Teeth usually come in in pairs, one on each side. Ranges overlap, and it’s normal for the exact order to vary a little from child to child.
What teeth come in first for babies?
For most babies, the first teeth are the two lower central incisors, the bottom front teeth. The AAP says the first teeth to come in are almost always these lower front teeth. Next come the two upper central incisors, the top front teeth, and then the lateral incisors beside them.
One surprise for many parents: the first molars usually come in before the canines (the pointed “eyeteeth”). That leaves a gap between the front teeth and the first molars for a few months. The large second molars at the back are last, often between 2 and 3 years.
Baby teeth coming in: month-by-month
- Around 6 to 10 months: the bottom front teeth come in.
- Around 8 to 13 months: the top front teeth and the top lateral incisors arrive.
- Around 10 to 16 months: the bottom lateral incisors fill in, giving many babies four teeth on top and four on the bottom.
- Around 13 to 19 months: the first molars come in for chewing.
- Around 16 to 23 months: the canines fill the gaps.
- Around 23 to 33 months: the second molars complete the set of 20.
How do baby teeth come in? Teeth development in infants
Teeth development in infants starts long before birth. Baby teeth begin forming in the jaw during pregnancy, and the enamel on baby teeth keeps forming into infancy. When a tooth is ready, it slowly moves up through the bone and gum until it breaks through, which is called eruption.
Before a tooth appears, you may see a red, swollen area on the gum or a lighter spot where the tooth is about to come through. CHLA notes that each teething episode can last around 3 to 8 days. Because enamel forms while teeth are still under the gums, some problems, such as enamel hypoplasia, can be visible as soon as a tooth comes in.
Signs your baby is teething
Common teething signs include:
- More drooling than usual, sometimes with a rash around the mouth or chin
- Swollen, tender gums
- Chewing or biting on fingers, toys and anything nearby
- Fussiness or irritability
- Changes in sleep or appetite
- Rubbing the cheeks or pulling at the ears, especially when molars come in
- A slightly higher temperature, below the level of a fever
Teething or illness? When to call your pediatrician
Teething doesn’t cause a true fever. The AAP says a temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) “is not associated with teething and is actually a sign of an illness or infection.” Cleveland Clinic also advises calling your child’s provider for diarrhea, vomiting or a rash. Ear pulling with a high fever can be a sign of an ear infection, not teething.
How to soothe teething pain safely
Gentle comfort usually works best:
- Massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger.
- Offer a clean, cool, wet washcloth or a solid teething ring chilled in the refrigerator.
- Give extra cuddles and keep drool wiped away to protect the skin.
- Ask your pediatrician before giving any pain reliever. The AAP mentions acetaminophen for an occasional rough night.
What to avoid: the AAP advises against teething tablets, gels with benzocaine, homeopathic teething gels or tablets, and amber teething necklaces. Cleveland Clinic notes that the FDA warns against teething necklaces and bracelets made of amber, silicone, marble or wood because they pose strangulation and choking risks. Avoid liquid-filled teething rings too.
Protecting babies’ first teeth from day one
Most teething guides stop at soothing sore gums, but new teeth can get cavities as soon as they come in. Baby-tooth enamel is thinner than adult enamel, so early care matters:
- Brush twice a day from the first tooth with a soft, small toothbrush. The AAP recommends a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice until age 3, then a pea-sized amount. Our guide to the best toothbrush for babies and toddlers can help you choose one.
- Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice.
- Lift the lip once a month to look for chalky white spots on baby teeth along the gumline, an early sign of decay.
- Book a first dental visit when the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday, as the AAP recommends.
Why this matters more for keiki in Hawaiʻi
Most public water in Hawaiʻi has no added fluoride. According to the CDC’s 2022 water fluoridation statistics, only 8.5% of Hawaiʻi residents on community water systems received fluoridated water, the lowest share in the nation. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Health’s Hawaiʻi Smiles report also found that 71% of third graders had experienced tooth decay, compared with 52% nationally. Starting fluoride toothpaste and dental visits as soon as the first tooth arrives gives Oʻahu babies a stronger start.
What if my baby’s teeth come in early or late?
Some babies get teeth early, and a few are even born with a tooth. Others still have smooth gums at their first birthday. Both are often normal. If your child has no teeth by 12 to 18 months, or teeth come in very out of order, mention it at your child’s next visit. Our article on late teething and early intervention explains what a pediatric dentist checks.
Your baby’s first dental visit
An infant oral health exam is a short, gentle visit, often with your baby on your lap. The dentist checks how teeth are coming in, looks for early signs of decay, and shows you how to clean your baby’s teeth and gums at home. It’s also a great time to ask about teething, pacifiers, feeding and fluoride.
Frequently asked questions about baby teeth
When do babies get teeth?
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, though anywhere from about 4 to 12 months is common. The first teeth are usually the two bottom front teeth. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age 3. Every baby is different, so a few months earlier or later is usually nothing to worry about.
What teeth come in first for babies?
The lower central incisors, the two bottom front teeth, usually come in first, often between 6 and 10 months. The two top front teeth usually follow between 8 and 12 months, then the teeth beside them. First molars typically arrive before the pointed canine teeth, and second molars come in last.
Would a 3-month-old be teething?
It’s possible but early. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles notes that some babies get teeth as early as 3 months, and many babies drool and chew on their hands around this age even before teeth are close. If your baby seems uncomfortable or unwell, check with your pediatrician.
Is it normal for a 10-month-old to have no teeth?
Often, yes. The first tooth can appear anywhere up to about 12 months, and the bottom front teeth can erupt as late as 10 months on the ADA’s eruption chart. If your child has no teeth by 12 to 18 months, mention it at a dental or pediatric visit so the dentist can check how the teeth are developing.
How do baby teeth come in?
Baby teeth form under the gums before birth. When a tooth is ready, it moves up and breaks through the gum. Parents may see a red, swollen area or a light spot on the gum first. Teeth usually come in in pairs, one on each side, starting at the front of the mouth and moving back.
Does teething cause fever?
Teething can make a baby’s temperature rise slightly, but it doesn’t cause a true fever. The AAP says a temperature over 100.4°F (38°C) is a sign of illness or infection, not teething. Diarrhea, vomiting and rash are also reasons to call your pediatrician.
When should my baby first see a dentist?
The AAP and AAPD recommend a first dental visit when the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday. That visit checks how teeth are coming in, shows you how to clean them and helps prevent early cavities.
How to use this parent guide
Use this article to prepare questions and recognize details worth sharing at a dental visit. General education cannot diagnose a child or replace an individual examination. If your child has pain, swelling, bleeding, an injury, fever, difficulty eating, or another urgent concern, call the dental office for guidance. Bring current health information, medications, relevant dental records, and notes about when symptoms began.
Schedule your baby’s first visit in Kahala
Families have trusted Uchida Pediatric Dentistry for more than 30 years. When your baby’s first tooth appears, call (808) 739-0878 to book a first visit in Suite 3070 at Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816, with free parking at Kahala Mall.
How to use this parent guide
Use this article to prepare questions and recognize details worth sharing at a dental visit. General education cannot diagnose a child or replace an individual examination. If your child has pain, swelling, bleeding, an injury, fever, difficulty eating, or another urgent concern, call the dental office for guidance. Bring current health information, medications, relevant dental records, and notes about when symptoms began. The dentist can then evaluate the child, explain the findings, and discuss appropriate next steps with a parent or guardian.