Teething doesn’t happen all at once. Baby teeth erupt in a fairly predictable order, typically beginning around 6 months and finishing by age 3. While every child develops at their own pace, most follow a similar eruption timeline for their primary (baby) teeth.
1. Lower Central Incisors: 6–10 months
You’ll typically see:
2. Upper Central Incisors: 8–12 months
Upper teeth can sometimes feel more uncomfortable due to thicker gum tissue.
3. Upper Lateral Incisors: 9–13 months
These teeth appear next to the upper front teeth, gradually filling in the smile along the top gum line.
4. Lower Lateral Incisors: 10–16 months
These erupt beside the lower central incisors. By this stage, many babies have between six and eight visible teeth.
5. First Molars (Upper and Lower): 13–19 months
First molars are wider, flatter teeth located toward the back of the mouth. Because they are larger and push through thicker gum tissue, this stage can be more uncomfortable and may temporarily affect sleep.
6. Canines (Cuspids): 16–22 months
Canines are the pointed teeth that sit between the lateral incisors and first molars.
7. Second Molars: 23–33 months
Second molars are the final baby teeth to erupt. By around age 3, most children have:
20 total primary teeth
10 upper teeth
10 lower teeth
Teething Symptoms — And Why They Can Start Before You See a Tooth
Many parents are surprised to learn that teething symptoms can begin weeks — and sometimes months — before a tooth becomes visible. Teeth move slowly beneath the gums before breaking through. During this process, pressure and inflammation can cause discomfort long before eruption.
Common signs of teething include:
Symptoms often come and go. You may notice a few difficult nights followed by calm, then another flare-up as the tooth continues moving upward.
Important Note: Not all babies follow the exact timeline. Some start as early as 3 months. Others closer to 9 months. Mild fever can happen, but high fever, diarrhea, or persistent illness is not typically caused by teething.
