Every child’s mouth develops on its own schedule, but baby (primary) teeth tend to follow a predictable order. This chart breaks down when each of the 20 baby teeth typically comes in and when it’s expected to fall out to make room for permanent (adult) teeth. Here’s what the timeline looks like in more detail:
The lower central incisors are almost always the first teeth to appear, typically between 5 and 8 months. They’re usually followed by:
The upper teeth generally follow shortly after their lower counterparts:
By around 30 months (2.5 years), most children have all 20 of their primary teeth. The molars — both first and second — are typically the last baby teeth to erupt, usually appearing between 11 months and 2.5 years, and they’re also among the last to fall out, sometimes staying in place until age 11 or 12.
These ranges are broad for a reason: it’s completely normal for a tooth to come in a few months earlier or later than average, and the order can vary slightly from child to child. What matters more than hitting an exact month is whether teeth are erupting in roughly the right sequence and whether your child’s bite and jaw development look healthy overall.
If your child hasn’t had any teeth come in by 18 months, or if you notice teeth erupting significantly out of order, it’s worth bringing up at their next visit — our team can take a closer look and let you know whether it’s within the normal range or something to keep an eye on.
Baby teeth play a crucial role in a child’s development, as they not only make room for permanent teeth but also aid in chewing, biting, speaking, and maintaining a healthy appearance. For this reason, it’s important to maintain a balanced diet and good oral hygiene habits.
Most babies get their first tooth between 5 and 8 months old, usually a lower central incisor. Some babies start as early as 3 months, and others don’t get their first tooth until closer to 12 months, but both can be completely normal.
Children typically have all 20 baby teeth by around 30 months (2.5 years) old. The last teeth to come in are usually the second molars, in the very back of the mouth.
Baby teeth generally erupt in this order: lower central incisors first, followed by upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars. The lower teeth in each pair usually appear slightly before the corresponding upper tooth.
Most children lose their first tooth — usually a lower central incisor — around age 6 or 7. This roughly follows the same order teeth came in: the first teeth to erupt are typically the first to fall out.
Kids typically lose their last baby teeth (the second molars) between ages 11 and 13, making way for permanent teeth to fully take over.
Yes, to some degree. While there’s a typical sequence, it’s common for the order to vary slightly from child to child. What’s more important than the exact order is whether all teeth eventually come in and whether your child’s bite develops normally.
If your child hasn’t had any teeth erupt by 18 months, or if you notice a big delay or unusual pattern, it’s worth mentioning at their next dental visit. Our team at Teeth R Us Children’s Dentistry & Tongue-Tie Center can evaluate whether it’s within normal variation or something that needs closer monitoring.
