Baby and Adult Teeth: A Complete Tooth Eruption Timeline for Parents

Understanding when your child’s teeth are supposed to come in and fall out helps you know what’s normal, what’s early, and what’s late. It also helps you know when to schedule checkups and when to keep an eye on things.

This guide walks you through the full eruption timeline from that first baby tooth all the way to the last set of adult molars.

Baby Teeth (Primary Teeth): Coming In

Children get 20 primary teeth total, and they usually come in over about 3 years.

The average timing is:

• Bottom two front teeth (central incisors): 6 to 10 months

• Top two front teeth (central incisors): 8 to 12 months

• Top lateral incisors: 9 to 13 months

• Bottom lateral incisors: 10 to 16 months

• First molars: 13 to 19 months

• Canines: 16 to 23 months

• Second molars: 23 to 33 months

By age 3, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Every child is different, and variations of a few months in either direction are usually normal.

Baby Teeth: Falling Out

Primary teeth usually start falling out in the same general order they came in, typically beginning around age 6.

• Bottom central incisors: 6 to 7 years

• Top central incisors: 6 to 7 years

• Top and bottom lateral incisors: 7 to 8 years

• First molars: 9 to 11 years

• Canines: 9 to 12 years

• Second molars: 10 to 12 years

The last baby teeth are usually gone by age 12 or 13.

Adult Teeth (Permanent Teeth): Coming In

Children eventually develop up to 32 permanent teeth, including wisdom teeth.

The average timing is:

• First molars: 6 to 7 years. These are often the first adult teeth to appear and are sometimes mistaken for baby teeth because they come in behind the primary molars without another tooth falling out first.

• Central incisors: 6 to 8 years

• Lateral incisors: 7 to 9 years

• Canines: 9 to 12 years

• Premolars (bicuspids): 10 to 12 years

• Second molars: 11 to 13 years

• Wisdom teeth (third molars): 17 to 25 years, if they come in at all

What If My Child’s Teeth Are Late?

Variations in timing are common and usually not a concern.

However, if your child is significantly outside these ranges, such as having no teeth by 18 months or no permanent teeth by age 8, it’s worth scheduling a checkup to make sure everything is developing normally.

Genetics also play a major role in eruption timing, so a family history of early or late tooth development may explain the difference.

When to Schedule Dental Visits

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends:

• First dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing

• Regular dental checkups every 6 months once teeth are in. Our preventative pediatrics team provides cleanings, exams, sealants, and fluoride treatments.

• First orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Our early orthodontic intervention program can help identify developing bite and jaw issues while your child is still growing.