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.
By Age
What to expect by age
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Altitude Sickness in Babies
Babies and toddlers can experience altitude sickness when traveling above 5,000-8,000 feet (1,500-2,500 meters). Symptoms are harder to recognize in infants because they cannot describe how they feel. Watch for unusual fussiness, poor feeding, disrupted sleep, vomiting, and fast breathing. Gradual ascent is the best prevention. Most pediatricians recommend avoiding sleeping at very high altitudes (above 8,000 feet) with infants when possible, and descending immediately if symptoms appear.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Treatment Timing
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of vision loss in children, affecting 2-3% of the population. It occurs when one eye develops weaker vision because the brain favors the other eye. Early detection and treatment are critical because the visual system is most responsive to treatment during early childhood. Treatment is most effective when started before age 7, though improvement is possible at older ages. Treatment options include patching the stronger eye, atropine eye drops, glasses, or a combination.