What order do baby teeth appear in - with pictures
You know teething’s inevitable but what you might not know is which baby’s teeth come in when. So where and how soon should you be looking for that next tooth to appear?
It can take around 2 years for your baby's teeth to cut through their gums. Baby teeth often appear in a similar order, although it can and does vary.
Our step-by-step illustrations provide a visual guide as to which teeth are likely to appear when, and in what order, as outlined by our expert family GP Dr Philippa Kaye.
Of course, all babies are different, so you may find your baby's teeth come in a bit earlier or later than suggested here, but it should help to give you an idea of what to expect from your baby's emerging chompers.
What order do baby teeth appear in?
5 to 7 MONTHS: lower central incisors
The bottom front teeth or 'bottom incisors' or ‘lower central incisors’ are usually the first to come through at around 5 to 7 months.
The first to break can be one of the most painful for your baby and it will cause all the usual symptoms - red cheeks, grizzling, chewing and yanking on the ear.
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6 to 8 MONTHS: upper central incisors
The top front teeth or 'top incisors' or ‘upper central incisors’ usually appear next at around 6 to 8 months.
Sometimes, after the first 2, these ones slip through quite easily, though it varies between children.
9 to 11 MONTHS: top lateral incisors
The teeth at either side of the top front teeth are called top lateral incisors and these come through between 9 and 11 months. It will take around a week for them to break the gum.
10 to 12 MONTHS: bottom lateral incisors
The top may have only just appeared, when the bottom ones decide to break through.
The bottom lateral incisors are often next to break and these will come through at around 10 to 12 months.
12 to 16 MONTHS: first molars
The first molars - or the back teeth - usually appear after a child turns one and before they are 16 months.
These are very big teeth and will be one of the most painful for your child so expect a few disrupted nights.
16 to 20 MONTHS: the canines
The canines, or teeth towards the back of the mouth, often appear between 16 and 20 months, but this can vary between babies.
20 to 30 MONTHS: second molars
The second molars will generally be the last to appear, breaking through the gum anywhere between 20 and 30 months.
Again, they are large teeth and may be very painful for your child.
About our expert, Dr Philippa Kaye
Dr Philippa Kaye works as a GP in both NHS and private practice. She attended Downing College, Cambridge, then took medical studies at Guy’s, King’s and St Thomas’s medical schools in London, training in paediatrics, gynaecology, care of the elderly, acute medicine, psychiatry and general practice. Dr Philippa has also written a number of books, including ones on child health, diabetes in childhood and adolescence. She is a mum of 3.
Illustrations by Katy Edelesten
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Authors
Tara is mum to 1 daughter, Bodhi Rae, and has worked as Content Editor and Social Media Producer at MadeForMums since 2015
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