Baby Teeth Timeline: When They Arrive, When They Fall Out and How to Care for Them
- Star Light Dental
- May 14, 2026
- [email protected]
Few things generate as many questions for new parents as teeth. When will they arrive? Is this grizzling teething or something else? Is it normal for an adult tooth to come through behind a baby one? And do baby teeth really matter if they are going to fall out anyway?
Here is the whole timeline, from the first tooth to the last wobbly one, and what to do at each stage.
1. When Baby Teeth Arrive
Children have 20 baby teeth, and most have the full set by about three years of age. The usual order is:
- 6 to 10 months: the two bottom front teeth
- 8 to 12 months: the two top front teeth
- 9 to 16 months: the teeth either side of them
- 13 to 19 months: the first molars
- 16 to 23 months: the pointed canines
- 23 to 33 months: the second molars at the back
There is a wide range of normal. Some babies cut a tooth at four months and some not until after their first birthday. If there are no teeth at all by eighteen months, have it checked.
2. Teething: What Helps and What to Avoid
Dribbling, red swollen gums, chewing on everything and a few unsettled nights are typical. What helps:
- a chilled, not frozen, teething ring or a cold wet face washer to chew on
- rubbing the gum gently with a clean finger
- wiping dribble away to prevent a rash, and plenty of cuddles
Avoid amber teething necklaces, which are a choking and strangulation hazard, and check with your pharmacist or GP before using any teething gel. Teething does not cause a high fever, diarrhoea or a rash on the body. If your baby has those, see your GP.
3. Caring for Baby Teeth at Each Age
- Before teeth: wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth once a day.
- First tooth to 18 months: brush twice a day with a small soft brush and plain water.
- 18 months to 5 years: a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste. Teach them to spit, not rinse.
- 6 years and up: standard fluoride toothpaste. Keep helping or supervising until about eight.
Never put a baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Milk pooling around the teeth overnight causes severe early decay.
4. When Baby Teeth Fall Out
Baby teeth start to loosen at around six years of age, usually in the same order they arrived, and the last ones go at about twelve. At around six the first adult molars also appear at the very back, behind the baby teeth. They do not replace anything, so parents often do not realise they are permanent teeth. They are the ones most worth protecting with fissure sealants.
5. Things That Worry Parents but Are Usually Fine
- An adult tooth coming through behind a baby tooth. Often called shark teeth, this is common with the lower front teeth. The baby tooth normally falls out within a couple of months and the tongue pushes the new tooth forward.
- Gaps between baby teeth. These are good news. They leave room for the larger adult teeth.
- Adult teeth that look yellow. They are naturally darker than baby teeth, and look more so side by side.
A baby tooth knocked out in a fall should never be put back in, but do have your child seen. Our emergency page explains what to do.
6. Why Baby Teeth Matter
Baby teeth hold the space for the adult teeth, guide them into position and are essential for chewing and clear speech. A baby tooth lost years early to decay lets the teeth behind it drift forward, which often means crowding later. Decay in baby teeth is also painful and can spread to the adult tooth forming underneath.
The first dental visit is recommended when the first tooth appears, or by your child’s first birthday.
Book That First Visit
Early visits are short, gentle and mostly about getting your child comfortable in the chair. Star Light Dental is a CDBS provider, open Saturdays, with parking at the door and access that suits prams. Call (02) 9432 2833 or book online. See also our children’s dentistry page.