In the Know for You to Know

You know your baby is going to get their teeth soon. You’re sad to see their adorable toothless grin go, but you’re anxiously awaiting that first pearly white tooth.

Everyone is telling you when baby teeth come in, and how long they take. But no one has mentioned the order baby teeth come in, or if there even is an order.

Well, yes there is a typical sequence for the way baby teeth come in (aka tooth eruption).

Today we’re talking about the usual order baby teeth (aka primary teeth) erupt into a baby’s mouth, and what happens if teeth come in out of order.

What Is The Order Baby Teeth Usually Come In?

Your baby’s teeth have been forming during your pregnancy. When your baby is born they have all their baby teeth under their gums. With their teeth waiting to come into their mouth at the right time.

The Typical Pattern For Baby Tooth Eruption

Baby teeth tend to erupt in pairs. So the tooth on the right will come in around the same time as their partner on the left.

Central Incisor

These are the front teeth. These teeth are thin and flat. When your baby is on solid food, they help them bite into their food. There are 4 incisors, 2 lower and 2 upper.

Lower Central Incisors come in between 4-9 months of age.
Upper Central Incisors erupt between 8-12 months of age.

Lateral Incisor

Each of these teeth comes in to the right and left of your baby’s central incisors. There are 4 lateral incisors, 2 lower and 2 upper.

Lower Lateral Incisors erupt between 10-16 months of age.
Upper Lateral Incisors come in between 9-13 months of age.

Canine (aka Cuspid)

Each canine comes in behind the lateral incisors. These teeth have the pointed edge and help to tear into food. There are 4 canines, 2 lower and 2 upper.

Lower Canines come in between 17-23 months of age.
Upper Canines erupt between 16-22 months of age.

Molars

Molars are the largest teeth in the mouth. They have large flat biting surfaces that help to chew and grind food. There are 8 molars.

First Molars come in behind the canine teeth. There are 4 first molars, 2 lower and 2 upper.

Lower First Molars erupt between 14-18 months of age.
Upper First Molars come in between 13-19 months of age.

Second Molars come in behind the first molars. There are 4 second molars, 2 lower and 2 upper. These teeth are the furthest back in the mouth.

Lower Second Molars come in between 23-31 months of age.
Upper Second Molars come in between 25-33 months of age.

What Is The Time Line For Baby Teeth To Come In?

Typically the first baby teeth to come through the gums are the bottom front central incisors. These teeth come in when baby’s are around 4-9 months old.

The usual order for baby teeth to erupt is~

• Lower Central Incisors 4-9 months
• Upper Central Incisors 8-12 months
• Upper Lateral Incisors 9-13 months
• Lower Lateral Incisor 10-16 months
• Upper First Molars 13-19 months
• Lower First Molars 14-18 months
• Upper Canines 16-22 months
• Lower Canines 17-23 months
• Lower Second Molar 23-31 months
• Upper Second Molars 25-33 months

How Many Baby Teeth Should My Child Have?

Between 25-33 months of age, the upper second molars erupt. By their 3rd birthday your toddler should have a full set of 20 primary teeth.

What If Baby Teeth Come In Out Of Order?

Children’s teeth are just like they are, lots of variety. While there is a typical time line for baby teeth to come in there is also variability in the process.

There may be no cause to worry if your baby’s teeth don’t come in the same order as their sibling’s, cousin’s or your friend’s baby.

Maybe their upper central incisors come in before their lower ones. Or, maybe the lower canine comes in before the upper first molars.

The exact order the teeth come in doesn’t matter. What matters is that the teeth come in and your child has their full set of 20 baby teeth by about their third birthday.

Did You Know?

3 Tips to know about baby teeth~

• Girls get their baby teeth earlier than boys.
• Baby teeth are called milk teeth because they are whiter than adult teeth.
• You can start brushing your chid’s baby teeth when they first start to come in, and floss their teeth when 2 teeth are touching.

What To Remember

Your baby’s first teeth are an important milestone in their growth. Baby teeth have an impact on your child’s facial development, their bite and how they chew their food.

The average age for a baby’s first tooth come into their mouth is between 4 and 9 months old. You can expect to see 2-4 new teeth come in every 3-4 months.

Teeth come in starting with the front central incisors, followed by the lateral incisors, canines, first molars and second molars.

When teeth come in, the bottom and top teeth typically alternate in terms of appearance.

Sometimes teeth come in out of sequence, and that’s okay, as long as they come in and they are healthy.

Do you remember which baby tooth was the first one your child had come into their mouth? It’s okay if you don’t, this isn’t a test. Which was the last baby tooth that came in? Did your child follow the typical tooth path or did they forge their own? Tell us, We’d really like to know! Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@proton.me Like Us and Chat with us on Facebook

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!