Baby Teeth Chart: When Teeth Come In and Fall Out

Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, usually one of the two bottom front teeth. All 20 baby teeth are usually in by about age 3.

They start falling out around age 6 or 7, front teeth first. Most kids lose their last baby tooth somewhere between 10 and 12.

The chart below shows every tooth, top and bottom, with when it usually comes in and falls out.

Baby teeth chart: when each tooth comes in and falls out

Maybe you’re running a finger along your baby’s gums at 2 a.m., wondering if that’s a tooth. Or your first grader has a wiggly tooth and wants to know which one is next.

Tap any tooth on the chart to see its timeline.

Baby teeth chart

Tap any tooth to see when it usually comes in and falls out. Switch the view to see the order.

Numbers show the usual order teeth come in.

Lower tooth

Central incisor

Usually comes in

6 to 10 months

Usually falls out

6 to 7 years

Usually number 1 of 7 in the order baby teeth come in.

Ages from the American Dental Association eruption chart. Every child’s timing varies. You’re welcome to share or print this chart with a link back to this page.

All ages come from the American Dental Association (ADA) primary tooth eruption chart.

Tooth	Top: comes in	Top: falls out	Bottom: comes in	Bottom: falls out
Central incisor (front teeth)	8 to 12 months	6 to 7 years	6 to 10 months	6 to 7 years
Lateral incisor (next to the front teeth)	9 to 13 months	7 to 8 years	10 to 16 months	7 to 8 years
Canine (cuspid)	16 to 22 months	10 to 12 years	17 to 23 months	9 to 12 years
First molar	13 to 19 months	9 to 11 years	14 to 18 months	9 to 11 years
Second molar	25 to 33 months	10 to 12 years	23 to 31 months	10 to 12 years

Want one for the fridge? The printable version adds a spot to write the date each tooth shows up and the date the Tooth Fairy collects it.

Print the baby teeth chart

One page for the fridge, with space to write the date each tooth comes in and the day the Tooth Fairy collects it.

Download the printable chart (PDF)

In what order do baby teeth come in?

Based on the ADA ranges, here’s the usual order:

Bottom front teeth (lower central incisors), 6 to 10 months
Top front teeth (upper central incisors), 8 to 12 months
Top teeth beside those (upper lateral incisors), 9 to 13 months
Bottom teeth beside those (lower lateral incisors), 10 to 16 months
First molars, top and bottom, 13 to 19 months
Canines, top and bottom, 16 to 23 months
Second molars, bottom then top, 23 to 33 months

Two things surprise a lot of parents.

First, the bottom teeth don’t always beat the top ones. The upper side teeth usually show up a little before the lower ones.

Second, the first molars usually come in before the canines. For a few months your toddler may have front teeth, a gap, then molars.

That gap is expected. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) describes the same order: front teeth, first molars, then canines.

When do babies get teeth, and how do they come in?

Your baby was born with all 20 baby teeth already in the jaws, waiting under the gums.

Around 6 months, the first one pushes through, usually in the lower front. The rest follow over the next two years or so.

Partners usually travel together. The left and right versions of each tooth have the same age range, so they often appear around the same time.

What does it look like when a tooth is about to come in?

The gum over the tooth often gets swollen and tender. You might notice more drooling, more chewing on fists and toys, and a fussier baby than usual.

The AAP notes that babies can feel teething discomfort weeks or even months before the tooth breaks through.

How early can teething start?

Sources differ a little. The ADA says around 6 months, the AAP says 4 to 7 months, and MedlinePlus (NIH) says 6 to 8 months.

They agree that timing varies a lot. The AAP says timing may run in families, and a late first tooth doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

Teething: what’s normal and what isn’t

Normal teething looks like drooling, chewing, swollen gums and some extra crankiness. The AAP says it can cause a slight rise in temperature, but not over 101°F (38.3°C).

A real fever or diarrhea is a different story. The AAP and MedlinePlus both say teething doesn’t cause them, so call your pediatrician.

What helps:

Rub the sore gums with a clean finger.
Give a firm rubber teether. Skip liquid-filled ones.
Don’t freeze the teether. The AAP and FDA both warn that frozen teethers get too hard and can hurt gums.
Try a damp washcloth chilled in the freezer, an AAP suggestion. Tie a knot in one end for better chewing.

What to skip, according to the FDA:

Numbing gels with benzocaine or lidocaine. They offer little to no benefit and benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and sometimes fatal blood condition.
Homeopathic teething tablets.
Amber teething necklaces and other teething jewelry, which have caused choking and strangulation.

If your baby still seems miserable, ask your pediatrician about pain medicine and the right dose.

First tooth? Time for a first dental visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first exam when the first tooth comes in, and no later than 12 months old.

It’s a quick, gentle visit. We count teeth, check the gums, look for early decay, and show you how to brush a squirmy baby.

First tooth in? Book the first visit

The AAPD recommends a first exam when the first tooth comes in, and by the first birthday. It’s quick, gentle and mostly about showing you what to watch for.

Request a pediatric visit or call (804) 741-2226

Here’s what to expect at your child’s first visit.

Brushing starts with that first tooth too. The AAP recommends a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste until age 3, then a pea-sized amount.

Once two teeth touch, the ADA says to floss between them. Our guide to brushing a toddler’s teeth has tips for the wiggly ones.

When do baby teeth fall out?

Most kids lose their first baby tooth around age 6 or 7. The last ones usually go between 10 and 12.

Using the ADA ranges, here’s the usual order:

Front teeth (central incisors), 6 to 7 years
Teeth next to them (lateral incisors), 7 to 8 years
First molars, 9 to 11 years
Canines, 9 to 12 years
Second molars, 10 to 12 years

Notice the pattern? Teeth tend to leave in roughly the order they arrived.

How do baby teeth fall out?

The adult tooth forms under the baby tooth. As it grows, the baby tooth’s roots slowly dissolve. That’s why a baby tooth gets loose and comes out with very little root left.

Occasionally an adult tooth comes in behind or beside a baby tooth instead. The baby tooth’s roots may not dissolve the way they should, so it stays put.

When that happens, your pediatric dentist may need to help the baby tooth out. Our extraction page explains how we keep that comfortable.

The six-year molars don’t replace anything

Around age 6, the first permanent molars come in at the very back of the mouth, behind the baby molars. No baby tooth falls out to make room for them.

Because nothing falls out, they’re easy to miss. They have deep grooves, which is why sealants are often recommended once they’re in.

Why baby teeth matter even though they fall out

Baby teeth help kids chew, speak clearly and smile. They also hold space for the adult teeth. The ADA calls them “nature’s braces.”

When a baby tooth is lost early to decay or injury, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) notes it can cost the space the adult tooth needs. That can lead to crowding later.

Look at the chart again. A back baby molar usually has to last until age 10 to 12. A cavity in that tooth at age 4 has years to grow.

Not sure a cavity in a baby tooth is worth fixing? Try the “how long does that baby tooth have left” tool on our restorative dentistry page. Pick your child’s age and the tooth to see how many years it still has to last.

When to call a pediatric dentist

Most timing differences are just your child’s own schedule. These are worth a call:

No teeth by about 9 months. MedlinePlus suggests mentioning it to your child’s doctor. It’s usually normal.
Spots or stains on new teeth. The NIH says healthy baby teeth should be all one color. Spots can mean early decay or enamel hypoplasia.
An adult tooth coming in while the baby tooth is still firm.
One side far behind the other. The AAPD lists uneven eruption as worth checking.
A baby tooth lost early to a cavity or an accident.
Crowding as adult teeth come in. Our orthodontists can tell you if early orthodontic treatment makes sense.

Baby teeth FAQ

What if my baby’s teeth come in out of order?

A small change in order is common, since the ADA age ranges overlap. If one side is many months behind the other, or a tooth seems skipped, have your pediatric dentist take a look.

Does teething cause a fever?

Not a real one. The AAP says teething may cause a slight rise in temperature, but not over 101°F (38.3°C). A higher fever is probably something else, so call your pediatrician.

When should I worry if my baby has no teeth yet?

MedlinePlus suggests talking with your child’s doctor if there are no teeth by 9 months. A late first tooth is usually normal and may run in families. The first dental visit by 12 months is a good time to check.

Can babies be born with teeth?

Yes, though it’s uncommon. MedlinePlus calls them natal teeth, and they most often show up on the lower gum where the front teeth will be. They’re often loose, so your baby’s doctor will check if one should be removed.

How many baby teeth do kids have?

Twenty: 10 on top and 10 on the bottom. Each side of each jaw has two incisors, one canine and two molars. By about age 21, most people have all 32 permanent teeth, according to the ADA.

Which baby teeth fall out first?

The front teeth, the central incisors, usually go first, somewhere between ages 6 and 7. The ADA gives the top and bottom front teeth the same 6 to 7 year range.

Why does my 12-year-old still have baby teeth?

The ADA chart puts the last baby canines and second molars at 10 to 12 years, so a baby tooth or two at 12 can be on schedule. If one hangs on well past that, an X-ray can show if the adult tooth is coming. The AAPD notes that over-retained baby teeth sometimes mean the adult tooth is missing.

What if an adult tooth comes in behind a baby tooth?

This happens sometimes. If the baby tooth is loose, it may still come out on its own. If it’s firm and the adult tooth is already showing, call us, because the baby tooth may need help coming out so the adult tooth can move into place.

Baby teeth care in the Richmond area

If you’re in the Richmond area, our specialty-trained pediatric dentists can check your child’s teeth against the chart and catch problems early. Each has at least two extra years of training after dental school.

You’ll find us at four pediatric offices:

Short Pump: 12270 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23233, (804) 741-2226
West End: 2560 Gaskins Rd, Richmond, VA 23238, (804) 741-2226
Mechanicsville: 7521 Right Flank Rd #110, Mechanicsville, VA 23116, (804) 741-2226
Midlothian: 13901 Coalfield Commons Pl, Suite 101, Midlothian, VA 23114, (804) 741-2226 (pediatric dentistry on Wednesdays)

We accept Virginia Medicaid (Cardinal Care Smiles, DentaQuest and Doral) at all four pediatric offices, plus most major dental plans.

First tooth just showed up? Wiggly tooth that won’t budge? Request a visit or call (804) 741-2226.

See a pediatric dentist in Richmond

Short Pump, West End, Mechanicsville and Midlothian. Virginia Medicaid and most major dental plans accepted.