My Baby Has No Teeth After 12 Months
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about has no teeth after 12 months, here is what you need to know.
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Late teething runs in your family.
- Call your doctor if: No teeth by 18 months with no family history of late teething.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
“Supervised tummy time is recommended daily from the time the baby comes home from the hospital to help prevent flat head syndrome and to strengthen neck and shoulder muscles.”
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, NIH, CDC guidelines, 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. At 6-9 months, 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. It is generally considered normal when late teething runs in your family. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if no teeth by 18 months with no family history of late teething.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
6-9 months
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.
9-12 months
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.
12-15 months
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.
15-18 months
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 to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed has no teeth after 12 months and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if no teeth by 12 months.
- Mention if your baby has other signs of nutritional deficiency.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
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.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice has no teeth after 12 months — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that late teething runs in your family — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 6-9 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if no teeth by 18 months with no family history of late teething.
Related Conditions
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.
Related Resources
Milestone Checklists by Age
Track your baby's developmental milestones from birth to 5 years with age-specific checklists.
Month-by-Month Development
Detailed monthly development guides from birth through 24 months.
When to Call the Doctor
General guide on when to call the pediatrician, visit urgent care, or go to the ER.
Frequently asked questions
Is has no teeth after 12 months normal?
When should I call the doctor about has no teeth after 12 months?
When is has no teeth after 12 months normal?
What causes has no teeth after 12 months?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about has no teeth after 12 months?
Is has no teeth after 12 months normal at 6-9 months?
Is has no teeth after 12 months normal at 9-12 months?
Should I go to the ER for has no teeth after 12 months?
Does has no teeth after 12 months go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Has No Teeth After 12 Months.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed has no teeth after 12 months and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if no teeth by 12 months.
- Mention if your baby has other signs of nutritional deficiency.
- Let your doctor know if you have noticed any related concerns, such as changes in feeding, sleep, or movement patterns.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- No teeth by 12 months.
- Your baby has other signs of nutritional deficiency.
- Teeth are delayed along with other developmental delays.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- 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.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources5 medical advisory board members
Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of has no teeth after 12 months are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if no teeth by 18 months with no family history of late teething.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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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.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
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Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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.
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