Baby Teeth Eruption & Teething Timeline: What to Expect Month by Month

Most babies cut their first tooth between 6 and 10 months, usually one of the two bottom front teeth, and have all 20 baby teeth by about age 3. That window is wide, and every baby moves through it on their own schedule. At Northfield Pediatric Dentistry in Denver, CO, parents and guardians often ask us the same questions: Is this fussiness teething? Is my baby running late? What is actually safe to give them? Dr. Roz and our team put this guide together to answer those questions month by month.

This Article Will Address

• When the first signs of teething usually show up
• The order baby teeth arrive, month by month
• Safe ways to comfort a sore mouth at home, and what to skip
• Whether fever or diarrhea can be blamed on teething
• When baby teeth loosen and fall out
• The right time to schedule a first dental visit

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months, with the first tooth breaking through between 6 and 10 months. Discomfort can begin weeks before anything is visible, and some babies show signs as early as 3 months. All 20 primary teeth are already formed inside the jaw at birth, so teething is simply those teeth working their way up through the gums.

Common baby teething symptoms include:

• Heavy drooling, sometimes with a rash on the chin or cheeks
• Chewing on fists, toys, and anything within reach
• Swollen or tender gums
• Extra fussiness, especially at night
• Rubbing a cheek or pulling at an ear on the same side as the erupting tooth

Symptoms usually flare for a few days around each tooth. A baby who seems uncomfortable for weeks on end may have something else going on, so check in with the pediatrician.

What Order Do Baby Teeth Come In?

Baby teeth usually come in from the front of the mouth to the back, often in pairs, starting with the two lower front teeth. The age ranges below follow the typical baby teeth eruption timeline published by the American Dental Association:

• 6 to 10 months: lower central incisors (the two bottom front teeth)
• 8 to 12 months: upper central incisors
• 9 to 13 months: upper lateral incisors
• 10 to 16 months: lower lateral incisors
• 13 to 19 months: first molars, top and bottom
• 16 to 23 months: canines, also called eyeteeth
• 23 to 33 months: second molars, which complete the set of 20

The first molars are often the hardest stretch. They are wide, flat teeth with a large surface pushing through the gum, and many parents and guardians notice more drooling, more night waking, and less interest in eating when they arrive between the first and second birthdays.

When Early or Late Teething Is Worth a Closer Look

Running a few months ahead of or behind this primary teeth chart is normal and often runs in families. A few situations deserve a professional look: a baby born with a tooth (called a natal tooth), no teeth at all by around 18 months, or teeth arriving far out of the usual order. Dr. Roz can check how the teeth and jaws are developing and, since she also treats infant tongue and lip ties, evaluate those attachments if feeding has been a struggle.

How Can I Soothe My Teething Baby at Home?

The most effective teething remedies for babies are gentle pressure and cool temperatures. Counter-pressure on the gums eases the ache of a tooth pushing through, and cold dulls the soreness. Try these:

• Rub the gums with a clean finger or a cool, damp washcloth
• Offer a solid rubber teething ring chilled in the refrigerator, not the freezer
• Serve cold purees or plain yogurt if your baby already eats solids
• Wipe drool away often to keep the skin on the chin from getting raw
• Add extra cuddle time and distraction, like a stroller walk or a favorite song

If your baby is still miserable, ask your pediatrician about infant acetaminophen, or ibuprofen for babies older than 6 months, and the right dose for your baby’s weight. For children past the baby stage, our guide to easing tooth pain in toddlers covers molar and canine discomfort in more detail.

Teething Products Parents and Guardians Should Avoid

Some popular teething products carry real risks, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns against several of them:

• Numbing gels and liquids containing benzocaine or lidocaine, which can cause serious side effects in young children
• Homeopathic teething tablets and gels
• Amber teething necklaces, bracelets, and beads, which pose choking and strangulation risks
• Liquid-filled teethers that can leak or break
• Ice, frozen foods, or hard foods like raw carrots that can injure gums or cause choking

Does Teething Cause Fever or Diarrhea?

No. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, teething does not cause fever or diarrhea. Some babies feel slightly warm while a tooth erupts, but a true fever of 100.4°F or higher points to an illness, not a new tooth. The same goes for vomiting, a runny nose, or a widespread rash.

The myth survives because of timing. Teething begins right as the antibodies babies received at birth fade and everything goes straight into their mouths, so infections become more common in those same months. Blaming a fever on teething can delay care for an ear infection or other illness. If your baby has a fever or loose stools, call your pediatrician rather than waiting it out.

When Do Baby Teeth Start Falling Out?

Baby teeth usually start falling out around age 6, in roughly the same order they came in, with the lower front teeth leading the way. Most children lose their last baby teeth, the second molars, between ages 10 and 12. A typical shedding schedule looks like this:

• 6 to 7 years: central incisors
• 7 to 8 years: lateral incisors
• 9 to 11 years: first molars
• 9 to 12 years: canines
• 10 to 12 years: second molars

Around age 6, the first permanent molars also erupt behind the baby teeth without replacing any of them and are easy to miss. Baby teeth hold space for the permanent teeth underneath, so losing one early to decay or injury can let neighboring teeth drift and crowd the adult teeth. That space-saving role is a big part of why baby teeth are important, and it is where Dr. Roz’s focus on early orthodontic intervention comes in. Catching spacing and bite concerns early can guide jaw growth and head off more extensive treatment later.

When Should Your Baby First See a Pediatric Dentist?

Your baby should see a pediatric dentist within six months of the first tooth appearing, and no later than the first birthday. For most babies, that lands between 6 and 12 months, right in the middle of the teething timeline.

A first dental exam for a baby is short and gentle. Dr. Roz typically examines the teeth and gums with your little one on your lap, checks how each tooth is coming in, looks for early signs of decay, and shows you how to brush with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste. It is also a good time to ask about pacifiers, bottles, and night feedings.

Our office was designed with anxious and sensory-sensitive children in mind. Dimmable lights, weighted blankets, noise-cancelling headphones, and a TV in every room help kids settle in. Starting early is the heart of our preventative care approach, and it gives your family a trusted team to call when questions come up. As your child grows, our pediatric dental services grow with them.

Schedule Your Baby’s First Dental Visit with Dr. Roz

Whether your baby has one tooth, a full mouthful, or none yet, Northfield Pediatric Dentistry is welcoming new patients and would love to be your family’s dental home. Dr. Rosalyn Shkolnikov is a board-certified pediatric dentist who takes time to answer every question parents and guardians bring. To book a first visit with our pediatric dentist in Denver, CO, call, email, or contact our office through our online form. We accept most major insurance plans, including Delta Dental and Medicaid/CHP+, and we look forward to meeting your little one.

Sources

• Teething Pain Relief: How to Soothe Your Baby’s Discomfort (American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org)
• Baby Teeth Eruption Charts (American Dental Association, MouthHealthy)
• Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)