Your Child’s Baby Teeth Timeline
Baby teeth arrive on a loose schedule, leave on another, and do far more work in between than most people give them credit for. Knowing roughly what to expect, and when, helps parents spot what is normal, what needs attention, and when to call the dentist. This guide walks through the full timeline, from the first tooth to the last baby molar.
Watching that progression closely is part of everyday care for Dan Knechtel, DDS, who has been practicing dentistry since 2002 and focusing on children since completing his pediatric dentistry residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in 2008. At Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry, where he sees children from age one through their late teens, monitoring how teeth and jaws develop over time is a routine part of every checkup. Dr. Dan Knechtel is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Why Baby Teeth Matter
It is easy to think of baby teeth as temporary, but some of them stay in place until age 12 or later. Baby teeth help children chew a healthy range of foods, form sounds clearly as they learn to speak, and hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing underneath. When a baby tooth is lost too early to decay or injury, nearby teeth can drift into the gap and leave the permanent tooth without room to come in. Untreated decay in a baby tooth can also cause pain and infection.
When Baby Teeth Come In
Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age three. Every child follows their own schedule, so a few months early or late is usually not a concern. Approximate ages for each group of teeth include:
- Central Incisors: About 6 to 12 months, usually starting with the two bottom front teeth.
- Lateral Incisors: About 9 to 16 months.
- First Molars: About 13 to 19 months.
- Canines: About 16 to 23 months.
- Second Molars: About 23 to 33 months.
Teething can bring drooling, chewing on everything, and some extra fussiness. A clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger can help. Avoid teething gels containing benzocaine for children under two and teething necklaces or bracelets, which the FDA warns against because of safety risks. Teething does not cause a high fever, so call your pediatrician if your baby has one. Our page on infant oral care and teething covers more.
When Baby Teeth Fall Out
Children typically start losing baby teeth around age six, and the process continues until about age 12. Teeth usually come out in roughly the order they came in, starting with the lower front teeth.
Around age six, the first permanent molars also come in behind the last baby teeth. Because no baby tooth falls out to make room for them, parents often mistake them for baby teeth. These molars are permanent, have deep grooves that trap food, and are a common place for cavities, which is why dental sealants are often recommended once they erupt. The second permanent molars typically arrive around age 12, and wisdom teeth, if they develop, usually appear in the late teens or later.
Parents are often surprised to learn that a six-year-old’s back molars are permanent teeth. Those are the teeth I want to protect early, because they need to last a lifetime.
— Dr. Dan Knechtel
Caring for Teeth at Every Stage
- First Tooth to Age Three: Brush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
- Ages Three to Six: Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, help with brushing, and encourage your child to spit rather than swallow.
- School Age: Keep supervising brushing until your child can do it thoroughly on their own, and begin flossing once teeth touch.
- Every Stage: Limit sugary drinks and frequent snacking, never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, and keep regular checkups. Dr. Dan Knechtel tracks your child’s progress through growth and development monitoring.
When to Call the Dentist
Call the office if your child has a toothache, a tooth that has turned dark, swelling of the gums, or a baby tooth knocked loose or out by an injury. A knocked-out baby tooth should not be put back in the socket, as this can damage the permanent tooth developing underneath. A knocked-out permanent tooth is different: hold it by the crown, rinse it gently, place it back in the socket or in a cup of milk, and get to a dentist right away. If your child has facial swelling that is spreading, swelling near the eye, a fever with dental pain, or any trouble swallowing or breathing, go to the nearest emergency room. Learn more about pediatric emergency care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Teeth
Some children get their first tooth later than others, and that is often normal. Bring your child in for their first visit by age one so Dr. Dan Knechtel can check on development. Read about the age one dental visit.
This is common in the lower front teeth. The baby tooth often loosens and falls out on its own, but if it does not within a few weeks, have Dr. Dan Knechtel take a look.
Neighboring teeth may shift into the space. Depending on the tooth and your child’s age, a space maintainer may be recommended to hold room for the permanent tooth.
Yes, in most cases. Untreated decay can cause pain, infection, and early tooth loss, and it can affect the permanent teeth developing below. Learn more about restorative care.
Keep Your Child’s Smile on Track in Asheville
From the first tooth to the last baby molar, regular checkups make it easier to catch problems early and keep your child’s development on track. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Dan Knechtel at Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry in North Asheville.
Medically reviewed by Dan Knechtel, DDS on
