Parent Guide · Updated April 2026 · 10 min read
Baby Teeth — Complete Guide to Eruption, Care & Loss
Babies are born with 20 baby teeth already formed under their gums. Between 6 months and 3 years, they\'ll all erupt — and by age 12-13, they\'ll all be replaced by permanent teeth. This guide covers the full baby teeth timeline, care at every stage, and how to prevent the 25% of children who develop cavities by age 5.
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Baby teeth at a glance
- 🦷 Total: 20 baby teeth (10 upper, 10 lower)
- ⏰ First tooth: typically 6-10 months (lower central incisor)
- ✅ All in by: age 3 (second molars)
- 🚪 Start falling out: age 6 (lower central incisors first)
- 🏁 All out by: age 12-13 (second molars last)
- 🪥 Start brushing: first tooth eruption (6-10mo)
- 🏥 First dental visit: by age 1
Eruption timeline — when baby teeth come in
Baby teeth (primary teeth) erupt in a predictable order, though timing varies by up to 6 months in healthy children. Typical sequence:
6-10 months
Lower central incisors (2 bottom front teeth). Usually the first to appear. Signs: drooling, gum rubbing, fussiness.
8-12 months
Upper central incisors (2 top front teeth). Photogenic baby smile stage. Cavity risk begins — start brushing.
9-13 months
Upper lateral incisors (2 teeth flanking top center). Completion of most "photo-ready" front teeth.
10-16 months
Lower lateral incisors. Baby now has 8 teeth and can bite/chew most soft solid foods.
13-19 months
First molars (front-back molars, upper + lower). Often painful eruption — can cause low-grade fever, disrupted sleep.
16-22 months
Canines (pointed teeth between incisors and molars). Often delayed — parents sometimes worry unnecessarily.
23-33 months
Second molars (back-back molars). The last baby teeth. Often the most uncomfortable eruption.
Age 3
All 20 baby teeth erupted. Complete primary dentition. Start pediatric dentist visits every 6 months.
Teething symptoms + safe relief
Teething is uncomfortable but rarely causes serious symptoms. Common signs: drooling, gum rubbing, fussiness, mild appetite reduction, disrupted sleep. NOT normal: high fever (>101°F), diarrhea, rash — these indicate illness, not teething.
Safe teething relief
- ✅ Cold (not frozen) teether rings — refrigerated silicone or rubber
- ✅ Clean finger massage on gums
- ✅ Cold damp washcloth to chew on
- ✅ Age-appropriate dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol Infant) if very uncomfortable — check with pediatrician
- ❌ AVOID: teething gels with benzocaine (FDA warning for infants under 2)
- ❌ AVOID: teething necklaces (choking/strangulation risk per AAP)
- ❌ AVOID: Orajel or similar numbing gels for infants
- ❌ AVOID: frozen teethers (can damage gum tissue)
Caring for baby teeth by age
Birth to first tooth (0-6 months)
Wipe baby\'s gums after feedings with a clean damp cloth. Never put baby to sleep with a bottle (except water) — this causes baby bottle tooth decay. Start the habit of oral hygiene before teeth appear.
First tooth to 18 months
Start brushing with a soft infant toothbrush (Firefly Kids or similar) and water only. 2x daily: morning and before bed. Parent does all brushing.
18 months to 3 years
Add rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste (Colgate Kids) OR fluoride-free n-HAp (RiseWell Kids) if baby swallows. Parent still does all brushing. Introduce first pediatric dental visit.
Ages 3-6
Pea-sized fluoride toothpaste. Child starts brushing with parent supervision and parent finishes the job. Introduce electric toothbrush like Oral-B Kids Electric (Disney). Regular 6-month pediatric dental checkups.
Baby bottle tooth decay prevention
Baby bottle tooth decay (early childhood caries) affects 25% of American children by age 5. Cause: sugar from bottle contents (milk, formula, juice, even breastmilk) bathes teeth while baby sleeps, allowing bacteria to produce acid unchecked for hours.
Prevention rules
- Never put baby to sleep with a bottle — except water
- Don\'t let baby walk around with a bottle during the day — milk/juice exposure compounds
- Wean from bottle by age 1 — transition to sippy cup, then regular cup by age 2
- No juice before age 1; limited juice (4 oz/day max) ages 1-6
- Water between meals — not milk or juice
- Brush after last feeding before bed
- Never dip pacifier in honey/sugar
- Own toothbrush — never share (parents\' cavity bacteria transfer to baby)
When baby teeth fall out
Baby teeth fall out in roughly the same order they came in — lower front teeth first (age 6-7), second molars last (age 10-12). Each baby tooth is pushed out by the permanent tooth erupting below it.
Ages 6-7
Lower central incisors (bottom front). Usually the first to fall out — milestone photos!
Ages 6-8
Upper central incisors (top front). Classic "gap-toothed smile" phase.
Ages 7-8
Upper + lower lateral incisors. Permanent front teeth fully in place by end of this phase.
Ages 9-11
First molars + canines. Often overlapping loss — multiple loose teeth at once.
Ages 10-12
Second molars. Last baby teeth to go. All 32 permanent teeth usually fully erupted by age 13 (except wisdom teeth).
Ages 17-21
Wisdom teeth erupt (or don\'t). Orthodontic evaluation at age 7 if misalignment concerns.
The first dental visit
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendation: first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of first tooth. What to expect:
- Short, gentle exam — baby usually sits on parent\'s lap
- Visual check of teeth and gums for early decay or abnormalities
- Parent education — brushing technique, feeding practices, teething
- Fluoride varnish often applied (optional — discuss if fluoride-free family)
- No X-rays typically until age 3-4 unless decay visible
- Follow-up every 6 months established
Choose a pediatric dentist (specifically trained in child behavior) over a general dentist for best experience.
Frequently asked questions
When do baby teeth come in?
Baby teeth typically erupt between 6-12 months, starting with the lower central incisors (bottom front teeth). Complete timeline: 6-10 months lower central incisors, 8-12 months upper central incisors, 9-13 months upper lateral incisors, 10-16 months lower lateral incisors, 13-19 months first molars, 16-22 months canines, 23-33 months second molars. All 20 baby teeth are usually in by age 3. Variation is normal — anywhere from 3-14 months for the first tooth.
When do baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth start falling out around age 6 and finish by age 12-13. Order typically: lower central incisors (6-7yr), upper central incisors (6-7yr), lower lateral incisors (7-8yr), upper lateral incisors (7-8yr), first molars (9-11yr), canines (9-12yr), second molars (10-12yr). Each baby tooth is pushed out by the permanent tooth coming up beneath it. Loose teeth should be left to fall naturally — don't pull unless hanging by a thread.
How many baby teeth do kids have?
20 baby teeth total: 4 central incisors, 4 lateral incisors, 4 canines, 4 first molars, 4 second molars (10 upper, 10 lower). Adults have 32 teeth (including 4 wisdom teeth), so 12 additional teeth erupt during adolescence. All 20 baby teeth should be fully erupted by age 3.
Do baby teeth really matter if they'll fall out?
Yes — critically. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth (losing them early causes permanent tooth misalignment), allow proper chewing and nutrition during growth years, enable speech development, and prevent pain and infections that can damage developing permanent teeth underneath. Cavities in baby teeth are NOT "not a big deal" — they can spread to permanent teeth and cause lifelong problems. Treat baby teeth like permanent teeth.
When should I start brushing baby teeth?
Start at the first tooth eruption — usually 6-10 months. Use a soft infant brush or finger brush with water only until 18 months, then rice-grain fluoride toothpaste from 18 months to 3 years. Clean baby gums with a damp cloth even before first tooth eruption. This establishes the routine and exposes baby to oral hygiene early — which makes compliance easier when they're older.
What causes baby teeth to decay?
Three main causes: (1) Baby bottle tooth decay — bottles of milk, juice, or formula at sleep time coat teeth in sugar for hours, (2) Sugary snacks and drinks during the day without rinsing, (3) Not brushing adequately. Prevention: never put baby to bed with a bottle (except water), brush twice daily with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste, limit sugary drinks, first dental visit by age 1. Baby tooth decay is preventable in 95% of cases.
When is the first dental visit?
By age 1 or within 6 months of first tooth eruption (whichever comes first) — American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommendation. Early visits are mostly educational for parents and establish a positive dental experience for the child. After the first visit, every 6 months for routine cleanings and exams. Pediatric dentists are specifically trained for child behavior and dental development.
Start healthy habits from tooth #1
The Oral-B Kids Electric + Hello Kids Fluoride is the evidence-based starter kit for ages 3+.
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