My Baby's Teeth Aren't Coming In
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.
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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 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.
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 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.
My Baby Still Has the Fencing Reflex (Persistent ATNR)
The asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR, also called the fencing reflex) causes your baby to extend the arm on the side they are looking toward. It should integrate between 4-6 months. If the ATNR persists strongly beyond 6 months, it can interfere with bringing hands to midline, bilateral hand use, and rolling. Evaluation is recommended.
Signs of Ataxia in Babies and Toddlers
Ataxia refers to wobbly, uncoordinated movements that result from problems with the cerebellum (the brain's coordination center). Signs include an unsteady, wide-based gait, difficulty with precise hand movements, and intention tremor (shaking that worsens when reaching for something). If you notice these signs, evaluation by a pediatric neurologist is important.