Baby Teeth Order Chart: When All 20 Teeth Come In

All 20 baby teeth usually come in by about 30 months, bottom front first. The typical order, why 6 months early or late is normal, and how to log new teeth.

Once your baby's teeth start coming in, you may wonder which tooth is next and when, or whether your baby is a little behind. Here's the typical order and timing of baby teeth, and what counts as normal.

Twenty teeth, one after another

There are 20 baby teeth in all, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. They usually come in a set order, and all of them are in place by about 30 months. Here's the typical order and timing.

1. Lower front teeth: 6–10 months
2. Upper front teeth: 8–12 months
3. The teeth beside them: 9–16 months
4. First molars: 13–19 months
5. Canines: 16–23 months
6. Second molars: 23–33 months

Here's something worth noticing. The first molars often come in before the canines. The spot next to the front teeth stays empty for a while, and the canines fill it in later, so there's no need to worry about the gap.

These ages are only averages. Timing varies from baby to baby, so about 6 months earlier or later than average is normal. Teeth coming in late doesn't mean they're weak or that your baby is growing slowly. A slightly different order, like the upper front teeth arriving before the lower ones, is also common.

Teeth usually come in as left and right pairs around the same time. It's also common for one side to come first and its partner to follow a few weeks or months later.

It's easy to brush off baby teeth as "going to fall out anyway," but they do a lot of work. They help your child chew, speak clearly, and hold space for the permanent teeth that come later. The molars in particular stay in the mouth for a long time and do the chewing. That's why it's important to protect each one from the day it comes in.

Log each new tooth and brush it right away

Just before a tooth comes in, the gum may bulge or show a faint white line. If you run a clean finger along the gum, you may feel the rough edge of the tooth first. When you notice these changes, a new tooth is likely just days away.

When a new tooth comes up, here's what to do.

1. Log the date in the app's tooth chart. Use the day you first see a tiny white edge above the gum.
2. Look over the log to see whether teeth are coming in as left-right pairs and in roughly the expected order.
3. Brush every new tooth right away, twice a day with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste. Even if the tooth is only halfway through the gum, brush the part you can see.

Your log doesn't need to be perfect. If you're busy, just jot down the date, and add a photo when you have time. Even rough dates let you tell the dentist exactly which teeth came in when. Rather than comparing with other babies and worrying, use it to follow your own baby's pace.

Drooling and fussiness may come back with each new tooth. A chilled teething ring or gentle pressure on the gums with a clean finger can help. When molars come in especially, the gums may look swollen over a wider area.

Frequently asked questions

Mention these at your dental visit

• No teeth have come in by the first birthday
• A tooth came in on one side, and its partner hasn't shown up after more than 6 months
• The order is very different from the usual pattern
• A new tooth has white spots or brown stains

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A guide to the decisions behind dental care

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The information in this article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional dental care. Talk to a dentist about your child's condition.

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