My Baby Has No Teeth After 12 Months
The short answer
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.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
Not having teeth yet at this age is common and normal. Teething timelines vary widely. If your baby's gums look healthy and they can manage appropriate solid foods with their gums, there is no concern.
Some babies do not get their first tooth until around their first birthday. This is a normal variation, especially if late teething runs in the family. Your baby can still eat a variety of age-appropriate foods using their gums.
If no teeth have appeared by 12 months, mention it to your pediatrician at the well visit. They may check for nutritional deficiencies like vitamin D, or note it for monitoring. Many late teethers are simply late bloomers.
If still no teeth by 15-18 months, a dental evaluation is recommended. Rarely, conditions like ectodermal dysplasia or vitamin D deficiency can delay teeth. A dental X-ray can confirm teeth are present under the gums.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Late teething runs in your family.
- Your baby's gums are healthy.
- Your baby is developing normally in all other areas.
- Your baby is under 14 months.
- No teeth by 12 months.
- Your baby has other signs of nutritional deficiency.
- Teeth are delayed along with other developmental delays.
- No teeth by 18 months with no family history of late teething.
- Your baby has missing hair, very dry skin, or absent sweating alongside missing 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's Teeth Are Coming In Out of Order
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.
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.