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

Every child is different, and a few months earlier or later is normal. These are the typical ages.

Baby teeth coming in

• About 6–10 months: lower front teeth.
• About 8–13 months: upper front teeth.
• About 13–19 months: first baby molars.
• About 16–22 months: canines.
• About 25–33 months: second baby molars.

By about 3 years most children have all 20 baby teeth.

Teething tips

Gently rub the gums with a clean finger or give a cool (not frozen) teething ring. Fever, diarrhoea or a rash are not caused by teething — see a doctor if they appear.

Adult teeth

• About 6 years: first adult molars appear behind the baby teeth — they don’t replace any tooth, so parents often miss them.
• About 6–8 years: front teeth are replaced.
• About 9–12 years: canines and premolars.
• About 12 years: second molars.
• From about 17 years: wisdom teeth, if present.

Why baby teeth matter

They help children chew, speak and smile, and they hold space for adult teeth. Decay in baby teeth can hurt, cause infection and affect the adult teeth underneath. See preventing cavities in children.

Move the age slider in the child teeth timeline to see which teeth are usually present at each age.