Baby Teeth

When is it normal for teeth to come in and for baby teeth to fall out? The following tables outline the most common ranges for teeth to erupt and to shed.
Photo credit: Deedee Geli

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 most common ranges for teeth to erupt and to shed:

Eruption of Primary or Deciduous Teeth

UpperLower
Central incisors6-8 months5-7 months
Lateral incisors8-11 months7-10 months
Cuspids (canines)16-20 months16-20 months
First molars10-16 months10-16 months
Second molars20-30 months20-30 months

 

Shedding of Primary or Deciduous Teeth

UpperLower
Central incisors7-8 years6-7 years
Lateral incisors8-9 years7-8 years
Cuspids (canines)11-12 years9-11 years
First molars10-11 years10-12 years
Second molars10-12 years11-13 years

 

Eruption of Permanent Teeth

UpperLower
Central incisors7-8 years6-7 years
Lateral incisors8-9 years7-8 years
Cuspids (canines)11-12 years9-11 years
First premolars (bicuspids)10-11 years10-12-years
Second premolars (bicuspids)10-12 years11-13 years
First molars6-7 years6-7 years
Second molars12-13 years12-13 years
Third molars (wisdom teeth)17-22 years17-22 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!

Last medical review on: December 07, 2021

About the Author

Alan Greene MD

Photo of Alan Greene MD
Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.
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Busayo on July 27, 2018

Thanks doctor

Emmanuel Destiny on April 11, 2018

Hi, my child at 6mths is trying to grow the upper teeth first , I don’t know if it is normal

Vishal Jariwala on April 27, 2017

My Daughter is 18 Month Old but not come teeth till today

Anjali on April 19, 2017

My son is 13 months he has not get teeth. Is there any problem or it will come lately.

Peninah on March 3, 2017

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????

Anonymous on March 4, 2017

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)

Parita Gohil on February 8, 2017

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.

Maya on February 26, 2017

My 5 year old daughter has strange looking baby teeth. Does anyone know the cause?

Melissa on January 30, 2017

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

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