Baby Teeth
Question
My child has no teeth, he is 9 months old. Is there a problem that I should get checked out? I worry about this because he has been so early at all the other developmental stages.
Dana Martin – Indiana
Dr. Greene's Answer
For an infant, the mouth is an exquisitely sensitive portal connecting the world around him to his developing mind and body. He uses his mouth to meet his mother, to sate his constant hunger, to comfort himself between feedings, and to explore objects in the widening world around him. When hard teeth begin protruding into this soft, sensitive orifice, it is a major event in the life of an infant.
Many parents worry about the timing of the appearance of their children’s teeth. While the average time for the appearance of the first teeth is between five and seven months of age, there is a wide normal variation of timing. The teeth might come in as early as one month of age, or they might wait until a child is almost one-and-a-half-years old. Anywhere in this range can be normal.
Generally lower teeth come in before upper teeth, and generally girls’ teeth erupt earlier than those of boys (much like with everything else). Delayed eruption of all teeth may be the result of a nutritional problem, such as rickets, or a systemic condition, such as hypopituitarism or hypothyroidism.
Natal teeth or teeth present at birth are found in about one out of two thousand newborn infants. These are often extra teeth, but this should be confirmed radiographically before any attempt is made to remove them. Natal teeth may cause pain to the infant, poor feeding, and, if the baby is nursing, maternal discomfort. Natal teeth may also cause damage or even amputation of the tip of the newborn’s tongue due to strong sucking behavior. Early appearance of all teeth may indicate a hormonal problem such as hyperthyroidism.
The following tables outline the normal ranges for teeth to erupt and to shed:
Eruption of Primary or Deciduous Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 6-8 months | 5-7 months |
| Lateral incisors | 8-11 months | 7-10 months |
| Cuspids (canines) | 16-20 months | 16-20 months |
| First molars | 10-16 months | 10-16 months |
| Second molars | 20-30 months | 20-30 months |
Â
Shedding of Primary or Deciduous Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 7-8 years | 6-7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 8-9 years | 7-8 years |
| Cuspids (canines) | 11-12 years | 9-11 years |
| First molars | 10-11 years | 10-12 years |
| Second molars | 10-12 years | 11-13 years |
Â
Eruption of Permanent Teeth
| Upper | Lower | |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | 7-8 years | 6-7 years |
| Lateral incisors | 8-9 years | 7-8 years |
| Cuspids (canines) | 11-12 years | 9-11 years |
| First premolars (bicuspids) | 10-11 years | 10-12-years |
| Second premolars (bicuspids) | 10-12 years | 11-13 years |
| First molars | 6-7 years | 6-7 years |
| Second molars | 12-13 years | 12-13 years |
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | 17-22 years | 17-22 years |
(Adapted from chart prepared by PK Losch, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, from Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics.)
If a permanent tooth becomes visible before the primary tooth above it has fallen out, generally the primary tooth should be extracted.
I hope that gives you enough to chew on!
Alan Greene MD
Our goal is to improve children's health by inspiring parents to become knowledgable partners who can work with their children's physicians in new and rich ways.
Recent Comments
Thanks doctor
Hi, my child at 6mths is trying to grow the upper teeth first , I don’t know if it is normal
My Daughter is 18 Month Old but not come teeth till today
My son is 13 months he has not get teeth. Is there any problem or it will come lately.
thanks Doctor , i have read that if a baby is born with natal teeth and i clean them well regularly. and i check to see if they are firm in the gum.
I don’t need them removed, right????
Hi, thanks for writing in!
Dr. Greene writes above, “Natal teeth or teeth present at birth are found in about one out of two thousand newborn infants. These are often extra teeth, but this should be confirmed radiographically before any attempt is made to remove them. Natal teeth may cause pain to the infant, poor feeding, and, if the baby is nursing, maternal discomfort. Natal teeth may also cause damage or even amputation of the tip of the newborn’s tongue due to strong sucking behavior. Early appearance of all teeth may indicate a hormonal problem such as hyperthyroidism.”
Hope that helps!
Alexandra (caring helper at DrGreene.com, not a doctor)
My daughter is 22 months old and she only has 4 teeth’s,2 on top and 2 in bottom that came just few months back and again its stopped I don’t see anything sprouting. She loves to eat but I am really worried why her teeth’s are not coming out.
My 5 year old daughter has strange looking baby teeth. Does anyone know the cause?
Pls help!!! My daughter is 10 mos old and has her bottom
Front and just got the top front tooth but I just realized one of the top is soft and I’m freaking out can someone pls let me know what this is and Is there something I did wrong ? I brush her teeth already bc I’m trying to develop good habits with her
My 10 month old daughter two canine teeth is come first .what is a reason behind canine is come first.??
Hi Nilesh,
Thanks so much for writing in! Children vary in terms of which teeth come in first and at what times. If you’re worried about it, you could check with your dentist to be sure.
Hope that helps!
Alexandra (caring helper at drgreene.com, not a doctor)
My granddaughter is 35 months old and has 24 milkteeth. Is it normal?
Hi Frieda,
Thanks for writing in! Dr. Greene’s chart indicates that usually there are 20 baby or milk teeth, although children’s tooth patterns can vary. If you’re worried, you could talk to your granddaughter’s dentist.
Hope that helps!
Alexandra (caring helper at drgreene.com, not a doctor)
Gd Eve Sir. My daughter has completed 10 months today ie. 24 Nov 16. There is not a single teeth in her mouth. What may be the season. Could I please suggest me what I have to do or there is no worry.
My daughter is 13 months and has her top canines and one middle top coming through. No sign of any bottom teeth yet. Should I be worried?
I have that wxact same question- my little one almost 13 months only has one top tooth and nothing else – no sign of any teeth at the botom either – i wasn’t worried bit my dentist wants to refer me to a Pediatric dentist and i don’t want to waste money of this is still normal and ok
Is it wrong for my baby boy to develop an upper one tooth first.
hello.my baby complete his 11 month on 23 September. bt his teeth deos not come.BT his gums are very heard. I m worried about his teeth. plz give me some suggestions.
Priyanka,
If a child doesn’t have any teeth by 11 months it is a good idea to see a pediatrician. He or she may refer you to a pediatric dentist after an initial consult.
Best,
@MsGreene
Anna
My son is 9months old. He got the first 2 bottom teeth at 7months and now at nine months the third bottom teeth has appered before the upper 2. Is this normal
My daughter is the same. She is 8 months now and Her two bottom have grown and now a third bottom one is coming through but not her top teethes. Was wondering has your son too teeth come in and how long was that??
My baby boy started having his first teeth when he is 4 months old and at 5 months he had another 2 upper teeth now that he is 5 1/2 months he has having another 2 upper teeth and 2 lower teeth, is this normal?… im worried hope you could help me…
Yes it is perfectly ok as average children start teething between 4 to 6 months….and any teeth before or around 3 months is said to be early. The only thing to worry about is baby bite while feeding and early cavities!! Rest enjoy to see your baby growing fast!!
My daughter is almost 9 months with no teeth, she’s doing everything else like calling daddy and mommy, she’s even stepping off. I see younger babies with teeth and it scares me to not see hers
my baby dont sleep well at night is dir any pill for nite teething
A pill? For a baby?
There is teething Gel, and things like that. But babies shouldn’t be popping pills! I hope you haven’t given your baby any pain relief pills.
my baby 9 month 12 days ,he have no teeth,its worry about the teeth?plz give me the right information about that,
My 15 month old daughter got one of her lower lateral incisors in and not the other it has been about a month and a half since she got the first one will the orher one come in it should I worry?
My seventeen year old daughter still has all her baby teeth what can I do
I have a son that has just turned 11 years old – he has only lost 8 of his teeth.
Is there any reason for this medically or is he okay and just his teeth are taking their time deciding to come in?
my baby is one year and six month she have cisors, Lateral incisors, cuspids in the upper but in lower only two teeth cisors. is it normal???
hi doc!
my baby girl is 8mos but doesn’t have teeth yet..
what can i do?
Well you can’t do much at all. You can’t force them to appear!
i have have a 12 mth old baby girl. She has 2 bottom teeth. On the top she has one and on the other side it’s loss skin hanging down. What is the lois skin??
My daughter 13 month but no teeth
Is it possible that Lower Canine (Cuspid) Teeth or First Premolar (Bicuspid) teeth come first in baby Child on four months?
My son is having canine teeth and doesn’t have any other coming up and he is 9 months old … is that normal thing ?
My son is 2 years old and he have not got all his teeth, 4 at upper and 6 at lower. Please suggest anything serious about this.
Hi my girl is 15 month and have 2 down teeth. And still no upper teeth.. Is that normal?
My daughter is now 10years old and she has most of her baby teeth still intact. please i am very worried.
please tell me if this will disturb her in future. or distroy her pretty face since her gum is protruding.
Thanks.
My baby son is of 11months with normal growth but still have no teeth. he was born in 37weeks and treated for Puv in first month of life.what should i do for his teeth to appear soon
Hello!
My son is 15 months old. He cut his first four teeth starting between 6 and 8 months. My concern is that he hasn’t cut anymore teeth and it’s been more than 6 months. Am I right to be concerned?
My daughter is 13 months she will be completeing 14 months on 4th september still she does not have any teeth.i m so worried about it.my dr has has advice ti give her ASCOCAL suspension.plz advice me.
Hello Doc.,
my son who is one month old have the lower central incisors. Is it normal for him to have them?
Hello Doctor,
My daughter is 10 months old and has no teeth. There are no signs of eruption. I am little worried about her development stages since girls teeth erupt much earlier than boys. I find all her actovoyiea are normal.
Please suggest if I have to consult a paediatrician.
Looking forward for your reply.
It is normal. My son was 12 months before the signs started
my son 10 month baby boy still has no teeth,what is the problem to know and its solution to growth up her teeth.
Hi there,
My daughter is almost 6 yrs old and has the smallest teeth I have ever seen. All her friends at school are losing their teeth and she is starting to feel left out. My daughter was born at 35 weeks and I was wondering if their is a connection between her being a premie and her very teeny tiny teeth.
hello sir..
my baby girl is 1 month old..and her lower teeth is erupting….I think this teeth is from birth….is this something wrong…
pls tell
Hello I have a daughter in the same situation and I noticed this is an older post. how did it go with your daughter? Did you extract the tooth, did the rest grow out normally?
My baby is 5 months old and she is drooling I saw a little bit of blood on her shirt in the drool and looked in her mouth and where her two bottom teeth should come in at there are two..well they look like little flaps of skin coming out of her gums! I can move them back and forth very easily .. Are they her baby teeth but soft dark and rotten? Or does the skin do this before teeth come out!? I can’t find anything that looks like this online. I will make her an appt Monday but I’m worried now :-(
Rachel did you find the answer for your question? My daughter has the same problem and I can’t find much information about it
Did you find an answer to this question?
My baby boy is almost 1 year, but still he doesn’t have any teeth. What should I do? Feeling confused.
My son is almost 6 months old and he has his four bottom teeth and barely getting in his top two teeth in…. Is something wrong???
My now 7 month old has both top and bottom bunny teeth. With more on the way. Should they be coming in so fast? He got all four in just over a month. My baby is in so much pain nothing Soothes him anymore.
Tried cold teethers, Pediatric Tylenol and/ or Advil. Gels.. Ice..
Hello Dr. Green,
My one year old has 7 teeth, with 2 bottom back teeth beginning to erupt. However, I fear she is out of eruption sequense. That doesn’t bother me as much as the fact that her left lateral incisor has not come in yet. The gums are hard there but no tooth. Should I be concerned. Should I call me pediatric dentist? Please help……
Sir
My baby boy is 11 month old and till now teeth haven’t came
I am very nervous sir plz give the solution
And nowadays he use to cry very loudly
My daughter is 9 months old, and she has a sign of getting the upper primary teeth before the lower. I am so worried. Is this a health problem?
I have the same problem, at the moment I’m giving her apples I see difference.
My son is 8 months old and still hasn’t gotten any teeth I’m worried because my nephew is 9 months old and has 4 teeth is it a development problem?
Dear Dr.
My son is 11 months old, and he has a sign of getting the upper primary teeth before the lower. I am so worried. Is this a health problem? I am waiting for your reply as soon as possible. Dr. help me.
Hello Dr, My daughter is six month and she is crying and pushed her mouth to my chest then, she gets pleasure and sleep. what is her problem?
My 9months old baby girl has started to produce Lower lateral incisors both sides, she has no other teeth.
My baby girl is now 14 months old, but still she doesn’t have any teeth. Should I go for a Xray.
Dr. is there a problem if a kid at 6 months cuts upper primary teeth before the lower side?
My baby’s upper teeth came before the lower. Is that normal or there is a problem?
My son will be 14 months Feb 10th and is getting his molars before his incisors. Can you tell me why?