My Baby's Teeth Are Coming In Out of Order
The short answer
While there is a typical eruption order (lower central incisors first, then upper central incisors), many babies get teeth in a different sequence, and this is usually perfectly normal. As long as all teeth eventually come in and appear healthy, the order does not matter medically.
This is one of the most common questions parents ask. Searching for answers means you care.
By Age
What to expect by age
The typical first teeth are the lower central incisors, but some babies get upper teeth first or lateral teeth before central ones. This is a normal variation and does not indicate any dental problem.
Your baby may be getting teeth in an unusual sequence. As long as the teeth appear healthy (white, firm, properly shaped), the order of eruption is not medically significant.
Multiple teeth may be erupting. An unusual order is not concerning. By 18 months, most children have about 8-12 teeth. If teeth are significantly delayed overall, that is more important than the order.
All 20 primary teeth typically erupt by age 2.5-3. If your child has all their teeth despite an unusual eruption order, dental development is complete and normal. Missing teeth (fewer than 20) by age 3 should be evaluated.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Teeth are coming in but in a different order than typical.
- All teeth appear healthy and well-formed.
- The total number of teeth is appropriate for age.
- Your baby is comfortable and feeding well.
- Teeth appear discolored, malformed, or very small.
- Significantly fewer teeth than expected for age.
- One side has teeth and the other does not.
- Teeth are crumbling or breaking.
- Severe pain or infection around erupting teeth.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
Worrying about your baby means you care. That is a good thing.
Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Got Teeth Very Early
While most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, some babies teethe as early as 3-4 months, and rarely, babies are born with teeth (natal teeth). Early teething is usually a normal variation and not a medical concern. Natal teeth present at birth may need evaluation as they can be loose and pose a choking risk.
My Baby Has No Teeth After 12 Months
While most babies get their first tooth by 6-10 months, some healthy babies do not get teeth until 12-14 months or even later. Late teething often runs in families and is usually not a medical concern. However, if your baby has no teeth by 18 months, your pediatrician may refer to a pediatric dentist for evaluation.
My Baby Seems to Use One Side More Than the Other
Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.
My Baby Only Army Crawls
Army crawling (also called commando crawling) is a completely valid and normal way for babies to move. Many babies army crawl for weeks or even months before transitioning to hands-and-knees crawling, and some skip hands-and-knees crawling entirely. What matters is that your baby is independently mobile and exploring their environment.
One Side of My Baby's Body Moves Differently
Babies should generally use both sides of their body equally. If one side consistently moves differently, is weaker, stiffer, or less coordinated, this warrants evaluation. Asymmetric movement can indicate hemiplegia (cerebral palsy affecting one side), brachial plexus injury, or other neurological conditions that benefit from early therapy.
My Baby Crawls Unevenly
While some variation in crawling patterns is normal, consistently favoring one side or dragging one limb while crawling warrants attention. Babies should use both arms and both legs relatively equally when crawling. Persistent asymmetry could indicate muscle tone differences, hip issues, or neurological concerns that benefit from early evaluation.