Baby teeth

Baby teeth chart: when teeth come in and when they fall out

Most babies get their first tooth at around 6 months, usually one of the lower front teeth, and most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age 2 to 3. Baby teeth then start to fall out at around age 6, beginning with the front teeth, and the last ones usually go between about 10 and 12. Every child is different, so treat the ages below as a rough guide rather than a deadline.

By the Molar Squad team at Socket Science, a small studio run by a dentistUpdated October 29, 20265 min read

Baby teeth chart: when teeth come in and when they fall out

Key takeaways

Children have 20 baby teeth, and the first one usually appears at around 6 months.
The lower front teeth usually come first, and the back molars come last, often between 2 and 3 years.
Baby teeth usually start falling out at about age 6, in roughly the same order they came in.
Ages vary a lot from child to child, so a few months early or late is common.
Talk to your dentist if you are worried about timing, a tooth is knocked out early, or your child has tooth pain.

When do baby teeth come in?

Babies are born with 20 baby teeth already forming under the gums. According to the American Dental Association, these teeth usually start to come through at about 6 months of age.

The NHS says most babies start teething around 6 months, but some get their first tooth before 4 months and others after 12 months. Both are usually nothing to worry about. Most children have all their baby teeth by the time they are 2 to 3 years old.

Bottom teeth often arrive before the matching top teeth.

Baby teeth chart: approximate ages for each tooth

The chart below follows the American Dental Association's baby teeth eruption chart. The ranges are averages, so your child may be a little ahead of or behind them and still be perfectly on track.

Approximate ages when baby teeth come in and fall out (ADA/MouthHealthy chart). Ages vary from child to child.
Tooth	Jaw	Comes in	Falls out
Central incisor	Upper	8–12 months	6–7 years
Lateral incisor	Upper	9–13 months	7–8 years
Canine (cuspid)	Upper	16–22 months	10–12 years
First molar	Upper	13–19 months	9–11 years
Second molar	Upper	25–33 months	10–12 years
Central incisor	Lower	6–10 months	6–7 years
Lateral incisor	Lower	10–16 months	7–8 years
Canine (cuspid)	Lower	17–23 months	9–12 years
First molar	Lower	14–18 months	9–11 years
Second molar	Lower	23–31 months	10–12 years

What order do baby teeth come in?

Based on the ADA chart, the usual order is front teeth first, then the first molars, then the pointed canines, and the big second molars last. Notice that the first molars often appear before the canines, which surprises many parents.

Here is the typical sequence, though plenty of children follow their own order.

Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth)
Upper central incisors (top front teeth)
Upper and lower lateral incisors (either side of the front teeth)
First molars (back teeth used for chewing)
Canines (the pointed teeth)
Second molars (furthest back), often between 2 and 3 years

When do kids start losing baby teeth?

The American Academy of Pediatrics says children usually lose their first baby tooth at about age 6, when the middle front teeth loosen. The back molars are usually shed between ages 10 and 12.

Teeth often fall out in roughly the same order they came in, so the lower front teeth tend to go first. A child whose teeth came in early may also lose them a little earlier.

Long before a tooth wobbles, the adult tooth is growing underneath it. As it grows, the root of the baby tooth slowly dissolves, which is why a baby tooth that falls out naturally looks so small.

What to do about a wobbly tooth

A loose tooth usually comes out on its own. Your child can wiggle it gently with clean fingers or their tongue, but it is best not to force it out before it is ready.

If the tooth is hanging by a thread, the AAP suggests holding it firmly with a tissue or gauze and removing it with a quick twist. If a tooth will not loosen on its own, your dentist can advise you.

Talk to your dentist if your child has a toothache, if a baby tooth is knocked out by an accident, or if anything about your child's teeth worries you.

When do adult teeth come in?

Adult (permanent) teeth replace the 20 baby teeth, and extra molars grow in behind them, for up to 32 teeth including wisdom teeth. The ADA's permanent teeth chart shows the first adult molars arriving at around 6 to 7 years. These come in behind the baby teeth, without any baby tooth falling out first, so they are easy to miss.

New adult teeth can look larger, less white and a little ridged at first. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says this is normal. Because the first adult molars have to last a lifetime, it is worth helping your child brush right to the back of the mouth.

How Molar Squad helps with baby teeth

Losing a first tooth is a big moment, and children are often curious about which tooth is next. Molar Squad includes a baby-teeth chart, dentist-approved tooth facts and picture quizzes, so your child can learn about their own teeth in a playful way.

Every tooth still needs brushing, including the new adult molars at the back. The app's 2-minute guided brushing timer walks your child through the four zones of the mouth, and morning and evening streaks earn stickers and heroes. It is a tool to make the routine easier, not a replacement for dentist visits.

A baby-teeth chart plus dentist-approved tooth facts and picture quizzes
A 2-minute guided brushing timer that covers all four zones of the mouth
Adventure levels where children rescue baby teeth from germs and sugar storms
Parent reminders and a brushing calendar, all behind a parental gate

Questions parents ask

How many baby teeth do children have?

Children have 20 baby teeth: 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. Most children have all of them by about age 2 to 3. They are later replaced by adult teeth, plus extra molars at the back.

Is it normal if my baby has no teeth at 12 months?

Some babies do not get their first tooth until after their first birthday, and the NHS notes this can happen. If you have any worries about timing, talk to your dentist or doctor, who can check how things are developing.

Which baby teeth fall out first?

Usually the lower front teeth, at around age 6, followed by the upper front teeth. The back molars and canines are usually the last to go, often between ages 9 and 12.

Do baby teeth really matter if they fall out anyway?

Yes. Some back baby teeth stay until age 10 to 12, so they are part of your child's smile for many years. The ADA notes that cavities can start as soon as a baby has teeth, so baby teeth need brushing and check-ups just like adult teeth.

Why do my child's new adult teeth look yellow or bumpy?

New adult teeth often look larger, less white and a little ridged when they first come in. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says this is normal. If you notice spots, pain or anything else that worries you, ask your dentist to take a look.

Sources

This guide is based on the public health guidance below.

This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child's teeth, talk to your dentist or doctor.