Quick answer: Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, usually a lower front tooth, followed by the upper front teeth around 8 to 12 months. By their first birthday, most babies have 4 to 8 teeth, though anywhere from zero to a full mouth of teeth by then is still considered normal. A full set of 20 baby teeth isn’t complete until closer to age 3.
Watching for that first tooth is exciting and a little nerve-wracking. It rarely arrives on the exact day a chart says it should, and that’s normal. Every baby runs on their own timeline.
Here’s what tends to happen month by month during the first year, what symptoms are worth expecting, and which ones are worth a call to your pediatrician instead.
The First Year, At a Glance
| Age Range | What’s Usually Happening |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | Teeth are developing under the gums; nothing visible yet for most babies |
| 4 to 7 months | The first tooth erupts, almost always a lower central incisor |
| 6 to 12 months | Upper central incisors follow, then lateral incisors on both jaws |
| By 12 months | Most babies have 4 to 8 teeth, though the normal range is wide |
Months 0 to 3: Before Any Teeth Show
Teeth erupting: None yet · Watch for: Increased drooling, mouthing hands
Your baby is actually born with all 20 primary teeth already formed beneath the gums, just waiting for their turn to erupt. During these early months, there’s usually nothing to see yet, though some babies drool more than others or start mouthing their hands as their gums prepare for what’s ahead.
A small number of babies are born with a tooth already through, or get one in the first few weeks. This is uncommon but not dangerous, and your pediatrician or dentist can check that it’s stable if it happens.
Months 4 to 6: The First Tooth Usually Arrives
Teeth erupting: Lower central incisors · Watch for: Drooling, gum swelling, chewing on everything
This is when most parents start watching closely. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teething usually starts between four and seven months, with the two bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) almost always leading the way.
In the days beforehand, you may notice increased drooling, gum swelling, a desire to chew on everything within reach, and some general fussiness. This is also a good time to start a simple oral care routine, even before the tooth breaks through: wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds. Our guide to baby oral care from the very first tooth covers how to build this habit before it becomes urgent.
Months 6 to 8: The Top Front Teeth Follow
Teeth erupting: Upper central incisors · Watch for: A milder repeat of earlier symptoms
Once the lower central incisors are through, the upper central incisors, the top two front teeth, are usually next, typically appearing between 8 and 12 months. Some babies experience a second, brief round of teething discomfort as these come in, though it’s often milder than the first tooth since parents already know what to expect and what to watch for.
Months 9 to 12: Lateral Incisors and the First Birthday Checkup
Teeth erupting: Lateral incisors (top and bottom) · Also due: First dental visit
As the first birthday approaches, the lateral incisors, the teeth just next to the front two on both the top and bottom, often start to emerge. By 12 months, most babies have somewhere between 4 and 8 teeth, though plenty of healthy babies have fewer, and a few have more.
Our full breakdown of the order baby teeth typically erupt in covers what comes next through the toddler years.
Twelve months is also the age the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit, or within six months of that first tooth coming in, whichever comes first.
Signs and Symptoms to Expect Along the Way
Teething discomfort tends to follow a familiar pattern in the days right before a tooth breaks through:
- Increased drooling
- Swollen, tender, or reddened gums
- Chewing or biting on fingers, toys, or anything nearby
- Mild fussiness or disrupted sleep
- A slightly elevated temperature, though not a true fever
Our guide on teething and baby discomfort goes deeper into what’s typical and what tends to help.
What’s Not a Teething Symptom
It’s worth being clear about this, since it’s a common misconception: teething alone does not cause a true fever, diarrhea, or vomiting.
If your baby has a temperature above 100.4°F, or symptoms beyond mild fussiness and drooling, something else is usually going on, and it’s worth a call to your pediatrician rather than waiting it out. The two are commonly confused around this age; we cover the distinction in more detail in teething and fever: what’s normal and what’s not.
Safe Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
A few simple, well-tested options work better than most parents expect:
- Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or damp gauze
- Offering a firm, solid rubber teething toy, never a frozen one, which can be too hard on delicate gums
- A cold, damp washcloth for your baby to chew on
Two things are worth actively avoiding:
- Teething gels containing benzocaine. The FDA has warned against these for children under two, due to a rare but serious risk to blood oxygen levels.
- Amber teething necklaces. These carry a strangulation and choking risk, and there’s no reliable evidence they relieve pain at all. See our guide to amber teething necklaces for the full picture.
For a fuller list of what actually helps, see our guides to safe teething pain relief and choosing safe teething toys.
Caring for That First Tooth
The moment a tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing, twice a day, with a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice, using a small, soft-bristled toothbrush.
This matters more than many parents expect: even a single baby tooth can develop a cavity, especially if a bottle is used at bedtime. Our guides on preventing baby bottle tooth decay cover the specific habits worth building from month one.
What If My Baby Has No Teeth by 12 Months?
It happens more often than most parents realize, and on its own, it’s rarely a cause for concern. Some healthy babies simply don’t get their first tooth until closer to 14 or even 16 months. Genetics play a real role here; if a parent was a late teether, their baby often is too.
That said, it’s worth mentioning at your child’s next checkup so your pediatrician can rule out anything else going on. Our guide to delayed teething covers when this timeline is still within the wide range of normal and when it’s worth a closer look.
What Comes After the First Year
The first year only covers the beginning of the story:
- First molars: typically 13 to 19 months
- Canines: typically 16 to 23 months
- Second molars: typically 23 to 33 months, by which point most children have their complete set of 20 primary teeth
FAQ
Is it normal for my baby to have no teeth at 6 months?
Yes. While many babies have their first tooth by 6 months, the normal range stretches well beyond that. As long as your baby is otherwise developing well, a later start is usually just their own timeline.
Which tooth usually comes in first?
The lower central incisors, the two bottom front teeth, are the most common first tooth, typically arriving between 4 and 7 months.
How many teeth should my baby have by their first birthday?
Most babies have between 4 and 8 teeth by 12 months, though fewer or slightly more can both be normal.
Should I be worried if my baby’s teeth come in a different order than expected?
Not usually. While there’s a typical sequence, plenty of healthy babies deviate from it slightly. It’s worth mentioning at a checkup if you’re unsure, but order alone is rarely a red flag on its own.
The Bottom Line
No two babies teethe on exactly the same schedule, and that’s completely normal. What matters more than hitting an exact month is knowing what to expect, what’s a genuine symptom versus a myth, and when that first dental visit should happen. If you’re ever unsure whether something you’re seeing is typical, it’s always worth asking rather than guessing.
Want a second opinion on your baby’s teething progress, or ready to book that first visit? Come see us at The Shine Dental in Lalitpur.