My Baby's Teeth Aren't Coming In
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, CDC, AAP guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about teeth aren't coming in, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
The first tooth typically appears around 6 months, but the normal range is enormous - some babies are born with teeth, and others don't get their first tooth until 12-14 months. Late teething is almost always a normal variation and very rarely indicates a problem. If your baby has no teeth by 18 months, your pediatrician or dentist can take a look.
Key takeaways
- The first tooth typically appears around 6 months, but the normal range is enormous - some babies are born with teeth, and others don't get their first tooth until 12-14 months. Late teething is almost always a normal variation and very rarely indicates a problem. If your baby has no teeth by 18 months, your pediatrician or dentist can take a look.
- Usually normal when: Your baby is under 12 months - late teething within the first year is a normal variation.
- Call your doctor if: Your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an X-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
- 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.”
Thousands of parents search for this exact thing. You are not alone.
What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, CDC guidelines, the first tooth typically appears around 6 months, but the normal range is enormous - some babies are born with teeth, and others don't get their first tooth until 12-14 months. Late teething is almost always a normal variation and very rarely indicates a problem. If your baby has no teeth by 18 months, your pediatrician or dentist can take a look. At 4-6 months, the average age for the first tooth is around 6 months, but "average" means half of all babies get their first tooth before this and half after. Many babies show teething signs (drooling, chewing, fussiness) weeks or even months before a tooth actually appears. Don't worry if you see no teeth yet - this is perfectly normal. It is generally considered normal when your baby is under 12 months - late teething within the first year is a normal variation. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an X-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
4-6 months
The average age for the first tooth is around 6 months, but "average" means half of all babies get their first tooth before this and half after. Many babies show teething signs (drooling, chewing, fussiness) weeks or even months before a tooth actually appears. Don't worry if you see no teeth yet - this is perfectly normal.
7-9 months
Many babies still don't have teeth at this age, and that's completely fine. Late teething often runs in families, so ask your parents when your teeth came in. Your baby can start eating soft solid foods even without teeth - their gums are surprisingly strong. Keep offering age-appropriate foods regardless of tooth status.
10-12 months
If your baby doesn't have any teeth by their first birthday, there's still no need to panic - this is within the normal range. Mention it at their 12-month well visit so your pediatrician can take a look, but late teething on its own (without other delays) is rarely a concern. Some perfectly healthy babies simply follow a later teething schedule.
13-18 months
Most babies have at least a few teeth by 18 months. If your child still has no teeth, your pediatrician may suggest an X-ray to confirm that tooth buds are present beneath the gums. In the vast majority of cases, the teeth are there - they're just taking their time. Very rarely, missing tooth buds (anodontia) can occur, but this is extremely uncommon.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed teeth aren't coming in and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby has no teeth by 12 months - worth a mention at the next well visit, though it's usually normal.
- Mention if teeth are coming in but in an unusual order or pattern.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is under 12 months - late teething within the first year is a normal variation.
- There's a family history of late teething - genetics play a major role in when teeth emerge.
- Your baby is premature - teeth may come in later based on adjusted age.
- Your baby is developing normally in all other areas - isolated late teething is almost never a sign of a developmental problem.
- Your baby has signs of teething (drooling, gum rubbing, fussiness) even though no tooth has broken through - it's coming.
- Your baby has no teeth by 12 months - worth a mention at the next well visit, though it's usually normal.
- Teeth are coming in but in an unusual order or pattern.
- Your baby has teeth that look unusually shaped, discolored, or have visible defects when they come in.
- Your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an X-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
- Teeth that have come in are loose, falling out, or breaking easily - this is unusual and should be evaluated.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice teeth aren't coming in — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby is under 12 months - late teething within the first year is a normal variation — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 4-6 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 your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an X-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
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 teeth aren't coming in normal?
When should I call the doctor about teeth aren't coming in?
When is teeth aren't coming in normal?
What causes teeth aren't coming in?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about teeth aren't coming in?
Is teeth aren't coming in normal at 4-6 months?
Is teeth aren't coming in normal at 7-9 months?
Should I go to the ER for teeth aren't coming in?
Does teeth aren't coming in go away on its own?
References
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby's Teeth Aren't Coming In.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed teeth aren't coming in and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby has no teeth by 12 months - worth a mention at the next well visit, though it's usually normal.
- Mention if teeth are coming in but in an unusual order or pattern.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby has no teeth by 12 months - worth a mention at the next well visit, though it's usually normal.
- Teeth are coming in but in an unusual order or pattern.
- Your baby has teeth that look unusually shaped, discolored, or have visible defects when they come in.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an X-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
- Teeth that have come in are loose, falling out, or breaking easily - this is unusual and should be evaluated.
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 teeth aren't coming in are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if your child has no teeth by 18 months - a dental evaluation and possibly an x-ray is recommended to check for tooth buds.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
Was this page helpful?
Related Physical Concerns
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.
Baby-Proofing a Small Apartment
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.
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.