Teething Order and Timeline
The short answer
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, though the normal range is 4 to 15 months. The typical order begins with the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars. All 20 primary teeth are usually in by age 2.5 to 3 years. Significant variation in timing is normal.
Parents everywhere have the same worry. You are doing the right thing by looking into it.
By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Most babies do not have teeth yet. Increased drooling around 2-3 months is a normal developmental change in saliva production and does not necessarily mean teething has started. Some babies may show early teething signs like gum rubbing, but actual tooth eruption before 3 months is uncommon.
3-6 months
The first teeth typically appear between 4 and 7 months. The lower central incisors (bottom front two teeth) usually erupt first, followed by the upper central incisors. Some babies may get their first tooth as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months, and both extremes are within normal range.
6-12 months
This is the most active teething period. After the central incisors, the upper and lower lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front teeth) typically come in between 9 and 13 months. Most babies have 4 to 8 teeth by their first birthday, though some may have more or fewer.
12 months+
The first molars typically appear between 13 and 19 months, canines (the pointy teeth) between 16 and 23 months, and second molars between 23 and 33 months. Molar eruption can be more uncomfortable than incisors due to their larger size. By age 3, most children have all 20 primary teeth.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby gets their first tooth anywhere between 4 and 15 months of age
- Teeth come in a slightly different order than the standard chart, which is common
- Your baby has fewer teeth than a same-age peer, as there is a wide normal range
- Teething causes mild fussiness, drooling, and desire to chew on things
- Your baby has no teeth by 12 months, though some healthy babies are late teethers
- Teeth appear significantly discolored, malformed, or pitted when they erupt
- Your baby has persistent high fever or diarrhea attributed to teething, as these are not truly caused by teething and may indicate illness
- Your child is 18 months old with no teeth at all, which may warrant evaluation for conditions affecting tooth development
- A newly erupted tooth appears dark, damaged, or the surrounding gum is severely swollen with pus, suggesting infection
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 Medical Concerns
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become enlarged (adenoid hypertrophy), they can block the nasal airway, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, nasal speech, and sleep-disordered breathing. Enlarged adenoids are most common between ages 2-7 and are a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea in young children. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting and nasal steroids to surgical removal (adenoidectomy) if breathing or sleep is significantly affected.
How to Advocate for Your Child's Needs
You know your child better than anyone, and your observations matter. If you feel something is not right with your child's development or health, you have every right to ask questions, request evaluations, and seek second opinions. Advocating for your child is not being difficult - it is being a good parent.
Air Quality and Baby Health
Babies and young children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they breathe faster, their lungs are still developing, and they spend more time close to the ground where some pollutants concentrate. The EPA recommends keeping babies indoors when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 100 (orange level). During wildfire smoke events, keep windows closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, and monitor your child for coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to air pollution can affect lung development.
Are Allergies Linked to Neurodivergence in Children?
Research has found statistical associations between atopic conditions (eczema, food allergies, asthma) and certain neurodevelopmental differences such as ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. However, having allergies does not mean your child will be neurodivergent, and most children with allergies develop typically. These conditions may share some underlying immune and genetic pathways, but one does not cause the other.