Baby teeth usually start to come in at 6–10 months — the lower central incisors first — and by age 3 a child has all 20. They start falling out at 6–7 years, beginning with the central incisors, and by 12–13 they have usually all been replaced by permanent teeth. See a pediatric dentist if there is no tooth at 15 months or no baby tooth has fallen out after age 7.
Baby (primary) teeth are essential for chewing, speech and the proper eruption of permanent teeth. Their eruption and loss timing can vary widely within normal range.
Baby teeth eruption — average ages
| Tooth | Age (months) |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisor | 6–10 |
| Upper central incisor | 8–12 |
| Upper lateral incisor | 9–13 |
| Lower lateral incisor | 10–16 |
| First molar (upper and lower) | 13–19 |
| Canines | 16–22 |
| Second molar | 25–33 |
By age 3 a child typically has all 20 baby teeth.
Baby teeth loss — average ages
| Tooth | Age (years) |
|---|---|
| Central incisor | 6–7 |
| Lateral incisor | 7–8 |
| First molar | 9–11 |
| Canine | 10–12 |
| Second molar | 10–12 |
By age 12–13 all baby teeth are usually replaced by permanent teeth.
When to be concerned
- At 15 months, no first tooth has emerged
- After age 7, no baby teeth have started falling out
- Six months after a baby tooth falls out, no permanent tooth has emerged
- The permanent tooth erupts behind the baby tooth ("shark teeth")
- Order is disrupted — teeth erupt in wrong positions
Pain and discomfort during teething
- Gum redness and swelling are normal
- Cold teether provides relief
- High fever or diarrhea are NOT normal teething symptoms — consult a pediatrician
Baby teeth: frequently asked questions
How many baby teeth do children have?
Children have 20 baby teeth — 10 in each jaw: 4 incisors, 2 canines and 4 molars. There are 28–32 permanent teeth — 32 including the wisdom teeth.
In what order do baby teeth come in?
Usually the lower central incisors come first (6–10 months), then the upper central incisors, the lateral incisors, the first molars, the canines and finally the second molars (25–33 months). Small deviations from this order are mostly normal; if teeth are clearly coming in out of place, have a pediatric dentist take a look.
What if baby teeth come in late?
A first tooth by 12 months is within the normal range, and in some children the timing runs later because of heredity. If there is still no tooth at 15 months, take your child to a pediatric dentist: the dentist examines them, checks with an X-ray if needed that the tooth buds are present, and works with the pediatrician to rule out general causes.
What if a permanent tooth grows in behind a baby tooth?
This is common, especially with the lower incisors ("shark teeth"). In most cases the baby tooth loosens and falls out by itself within a few weeks, and the tongue gradually pushes the permanent tooth into place. If the baby tooth is still not loose after 2–3 months, hurts or the gum around it is inflamed, the dentist removes it so the permanent tooth can settle correctly.
Do baby teeth need to be treated?
Yes. Untreated decay in a baby tooth can lead to pain, inflammation and an abscess, and the infection can affect the permanent tooth forming underneath. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the neighbouring teeth drift into the gap and the permanent tooth may run out of room. How to prevent it: caries in children.
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Clinic services on this topic
- Pediatric dentistry — check-ups, prevention and stress-free treatment for children
- Orthodontics — braces and aligners, digital diagnostics and a staged treatment plan
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