Baby Teething Chart: When Do Babies Get Their Teeth?

Most babies start teething at around six months, but there is a wide range of normal. Some babies get their first tooth before four months, while others may not have one until after their first birthday.

The first teeth to appear are usually the bottom front teeth, known as the lower central incisors. These are commonly followed by the top front teeth, then the teeth beside them. Molars and canines tend to arrive later.

If your baby’s teeth do not follow the usual order or timetable exactly, that does not automatically mean anything is wrong. A baby teething chart is best used as a rough guide rather than a deadline.

Baby teething chart

The NHS gives the following approximate timeline for when milk teeth usually appear:

Baby teeth Approximate timing

Central incisors Around 6 months Lateral incisors Around 8 months First molars Around 12 months Canines Around 18 months Second molars Around 24 months Full set of 20 milk teeth Usually by 2 to 3 years

These timings are approximate.

Your baby may get a tooth earlier or later, and individual teeth do not always appear according to a perfectly predictable schedule.

When do babies get their first tooth?

Most babies begin teething at around six months, according to the NHS.

There is plenty of variation around that age.

Some babies are born with a tooth already present. Others begin teething before four months, while some do not get their first tooth until after 12 months.

This means comparing your baby’s mouth with another baby’s is rarely very useful.

Two babies of exactly the same age can have completely different numbers of teeth and still be developing normally.

Which baby teeth usually come first?

The lower central incisors are usually the first teeth to appear.

These are the two teeth right at the front of the lower gum.

The upper central incisors usually follow, although the exact sequence can vary.

Once those first teeth appear, you may gradually see the lateral incisors, molars and canines emerging over the following months and years.

You do not need to track every tooth unless you find it helpful.

What matters more is beginning dental care as soon as the first tooth appears and arranging your baby’s first dental visit according to NHS guidance.

Central incisors: around 6 months

The central incisors are the front teeth.

According to the NHS, these generally appear at around six months, with the lower central incisors usually coming through first.

For many parents, these are the first tiny white edges they notice when their baby smiles.

You may see teething symptoms before the tooth becomes visible, such as:

Sore or red gums
Increased dribbling
Chewing or gnawing
One flushed cheek
More unsettled behaviour
Less settled sleep

Some babies have very few noticeable symptoms.

A tooth can also seem to appear surprisingly quickly after days or weeks of wondering whether teething has started.

Lateral incisors: around 8 months

Lateral incisors sit next to the central front teeth.

The NHS says these usually appear at around eight months.

Once they emerge, your baby’s front teeth begin to fill out across the upper and lower gums.

Again, the timing is approximate.

A baby may get several teeth close together, have long gaps between new teeth or develop them in a slightly different order.

Unless a dentist or healthcare professional has given you a reason for concern, there is no need to expect every tooth at an exact age.

First molars: around 12 months

The first molars are larger teeth towards the back of the mouth.

The NHS gives around 12 months as the typical time for these teeth to appear.

Molars have a broader surface than the small front incisors, so parents may notice another period of chewing or gum discomfort as they emerge.

If your baby seems uncomfortable, simple measures such as an appropriate teething ring or gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger may help.

If your baby appears to be in significant pain or seems unwell, do not automatically assume a molar is responsible.

Canines: around 18 months

Canines are the pointed teeth that sit between the lateral incisors and molars.

The NHS says these generally appear at around 18 months.

By this point, your child may already have several teeth and be well into a regular tooth-brushing routine.

Teething symptoms can still come and go as new teeth emerge.

A toddler may also be better able to communicate discomfort than a younger baby, although that does not necessarily make it obvious that teeth are the cause.

Second molars: around 24 months

The second molars sit further towards the back of the mouth and usually appear later than the first molars.

The NHS gives around 24 months as the typical timing.

These are among the final milk teeth to emerge.

By the time they are in place, your child will be moving towards their full set of 20 milk teeth.

Regular brushing and dental visits remain important throughout this period, not only while teeth are actively appearing.

When do children have all their milk teeth?

Most children have all 20 milk teeth by the time they are between two and three years old, according to the NHS.

Those milk teeth remain important even though they will eventually be replaced by adult teeth.

They help children chew and speak and hold space for the permanent teeth developing underneath.

Looking after them starts from the first tooth rather than waiting until the full set has appeared.

Does every baby follow the same teething order?

No.

A teething chart shows the pattern that is commonly seen, but individual babies do not have to follow it precisely.

Some babies get teeth early.

Others start much later.

Several teeth may appear close together, or there may be a long pause between them.

The order can vary too.

If your baby’s teeth appear in a slightly different sequence but they are otherwise well, there is usually no reason to compare the pattern too closely with a chart.

If you have concerns about how your baby’s teeth or mouth are developing, a dentist is the right person to assess them individually.

Can babies be born with teeth?

Yes, although it is uncommon.

The NHS says some babies are born with their first teeth.

Teeth present at birth are sometimes called natal teeth.

If your baby is born with a tooth, your maternity or paediatric team can check it.

A tooth may need assessment if it is loose, affects feeding or creates another concern.

Do not try to remove or alter it yourself.

Is it normal for a baby to have no teeth at 12 months?

Some babies do not begin teething until after 12 months, and the NHS specifically notes that teething can start after a baby’s first birthday.

A chart showing six months as the usual starting point does not mean every baby should have teeth by that age.

If you are concerned about your baby’s teeth, mention it to your dentist or health visitor.

The NHS recommends that children see a dentist when their first milk teeth appear or before they are 12 months old, so you can also discuss tooth development at that appointment.

How can you tell if a tooth is coming?

You may notice a combination of changes before a tooth appears.

The NHS lists common teething symptoms including:

Red or sore gums
One flushed cheek
Increased dribbling
Chewing or gnawing
Rubbing an ear
Being more fretful
Sleeping less well
A facial rash
A slightly raised temperature below 38°C

Some babies experience very mild symptoms or none that are obvious.

You may also be able to see or feel the outline of a tooth beneath the gum shortly before it breaks through.

Try not to repeatedly press on tender gums to check.

Does teething cause a fever?

The NHS says teething may be associated with a mild temperature of less than 38°C.

A temperature of 38°C or above is considered a fever and should not simply be attributed to teething.

Babies can become ill at the same time as they are teething, so the appearance of a tooth does not explain every symptom.

If your baby has a fever or seems unwell, follow NHS guidance and seek medical advice where appropriate.

Does teething cause diarrhoea?

The NHS states that there is no evidence that teething causes diarrhoea.

If your baby develops diarrhoea, vomiting or other symptoms of illness, consider those separately.

Do not delay seeking advice because you can also see a new tooth appearing.

Teething is common, which means it will sometimes happen at exactly the same time as an unrelated illness.

What can help while a tooth is coming through?

If your baby seems uncomfortable, start with simple measures.

The NHS recommends options including:

A suitable teething ring
Cooling an appropriate teething ring in the fridge
Gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger
Comfort and distraction
Wiping away excess dribble to help protect irritated skin

Do not put teething rings in the freezer because frozen rings may damage the gums.

Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck because this creates a strangulation risk.

If simple measures are not enough and your baby appears to be in pain, speak to a pharmacist or healthcare professional about appropriate pain relief.

When should you start brushing baby teeth?

Start as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears.

The NHS recommends brushing baby teeth twice a day, including just before bed.

For children under three, use a tiny smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000 parts per million fluoride.

Use a small, soft toothbrush suitable for your child’s age.

At first, brushing may feel more like a quick attempt than a polished routine. That is fine.

The goal is to clean the teeth and establish the habit from the beginning.

When should your baby first see a dentist?

The NHS recommends taking your baby to the dentist when their first milk teeth appear, or before they are 12 months old.

You can also take your baby with you to your own dental appointments before they have teeth. This can help the dental environment become familiar.

At an early appointment, a dentist can:

Check developing teeth
Look at the gums and mouth
Give advice about brushing
Discuss fluoride toothpaste
Answer questions about tooth development
Advise on preventing tooth decay

You do not need to wait until your child has a full mouth of teeth.

What happens after the baby teeth are all in?

Milk teeth remain in place for several years before permanent teeth gradually replace them.

The NHS says children usually have all 20 milk teeth by two to three years old.

From there, the focus shifts away from waiting for new baby teeth and towards protecting the teeth already there.

Keep brushing twice daily with an appropriate fluoride toothpaste and continue regular dental care.

As your child grows, they can gradually become more involved in brushing, although young children still need help and supervision to clean their teeth properly.

Baby teething timeline: the simple version

If you want an easy way to remember the general sequence, think:

Around 6 months: central front teeth.

Around 8 months: lateral front teeth.

Around 12 months: first molars.

Around 18 months: canines.

Around 24 months: second molars.

By 2 to 3 years: most children have all 20 milk teeth.

Keep the word “around” in mind.

Your baby’s mouth does not have a calendar, and there is no benefit in worrying because a tooth arrived a few months earlier or later than the average.

Use the chart to understand the general pattern, then let your baby’s individual development set the pace.

When to get professional advice

Speak to a dentist, health visitor or GP if you are worried about your baby’s tooth development, gums or mouth.

The NHS notes that some babies do not start teething until after 12 months, so a later first tooth is not automatically a problem. However, you can raise any concerns at your child’s dental appointment.

Seek medical advice if your baby seems unwell rather than simply mildly uncomfortable from teething. A temperature of 38°C or above should not be assumed to be caused by teething, and the NHS states there is no evidence that teething causes diarrhoea.

If your baby has difficulty feeding, signs of dehydration, unusual sleepiness, severe or persistent pain, or another symptom that concerns you, contact an appropriate healthcare professional.

Call 999 if your baby is seriously unwell or has a medical emergency.