The beautiful journey of parenting brings a flurry of new experiences, joys, and of course, a few challenges too. One such memorable milestone is the eruption of your baby’s first tooth.
In this comprehensive guide, we will talk you through baby teeth eruption and what to expect as your child’s gums transform to host a set of pearly whites.
The First Tooth Appearance
Welcoming a new little member into your family is a journey filled with love, laughter, and firsts—first giggles, first steps, and of course, the arrival of the first tooth. As new parents, witnessing the blossoming of those tiny, delicate teeth from your baby’s gums can be both exciting and a bit daunting.
Understanding the exact timing for the arrival of the first baby teeth can be somewhat elusive since it varies among infants. Generally, baby teeth begin to make their appearance between 6 to 12 months of age. Meaning that babies can greet you with a toothy smile on their first birthday. But in some rare cases babies can get their first tooth even before six months.
Whether you’re eagerly awaiting the appearance of the first tooth or are nurturing a teething baby already, here’s everything you need to know to navigate this milestone with confidence and ease.
Understanding the Timeline of Baby Teeth
In the early months, the baby’s teeth journey begins quietly beneath the gum tissue, where the tooth buds start to form.
Typically, this silent journey towards the gum line initiates with the lower central incisors making the grand entrance around the 6-10 months of age mark.
This eruption heralds the beginning of a period of activity in your baby’s mouth that will intermittently continue for the next couple of years.
As the first tooth bravely paves the way, the stages of tooth eruption take on a rhythmic pattern, with short breaks in between, allowing your little one some respite before the arrival of the next set.
Often, after the front teeth have emerged, there is a brief calm, setting the stage for the lateral incisors to make their appearance.
These gaps between eruption periods can vary, but generally, new teeth sprout in intervals of a few months.
The process resumes with heightened activity around their first birthday, a time when many babies will see the eruption of first molars, adding to their ability to masticate solid foods. Interestingly, after the initial set of incisors, the upper teeth usually precede the lower teeth in their eruption patterns, forming a harmonious symphony of growth that continues till the emergence of the second molars, marking the end of the baby teeth eruption phase.
Through all these phases, the child’s gums might appear swollen or bruised, exhibiting different signs of readiness for welcoming the new members in the oral family. This incredible journey, characterized by periods of eruption followed by calm, eventually rewards your child with a charming, toothy smile, an endearing testament to their growth and development.
The Order of Baby Teeth Eruption
Here’s a rough guide to the chronological order of baby teeth eruption:
- Lower central incisors: These bottom teeth are usually the first to appear around 6-10 months.
- Upper central incisors: The upper central 2 teeth (top front teeth) follow soon after, typically showing around 8-12 months.
- Upper and lower lateral incisors: These come in anywhere from 9 to 16 months.
- First molars: Generally, erupt between 13 to 19 months, offering a larger surface area for chewing solid foods.
- Canines: You can expect these to appear between 16 to 23 months.
- Second molars: The back teeth are the last to arrive, usually making an appearance around 25 to 33 months.
It’s an important tip to remember that this is a general guideline and your babies’ teeth might follow a slightly different order or timeline.
Recognizing the Signs of Teething
As your baby’s teeth are getting ready to erupt, you might notice several signs of teething. Keep an eye out for:
- Sore gums and a lot of drooling, which might sometimes cause a rash on the baby’s face.
- Signs of discomfort such as fussiness, trouble sleeping, or a slight elevation in temperature. Note, a high fever is not a regular symptom of teething and warrants immediate medical attention.
- An increase in the urge to chew on firm rubber toys or a clean wet washcloth.
- In some cases, symptoms like a runny nose or viral infections might coincide, but it’s good news if your baby does not show such symptoms.
Related: Signs and symptoms of teething in a toddler
Aiding Your Teething Baby: Tips and Remedies
During this time, your baby’s gums may be sore and swollen. To alleviate discomfort during tooth eruption, you can:
- Gently massage the baby’s gums with a clean finger or offer a cool object like a teething ring.
- Provide cold food or a wet washcloth to gnaw on, but avoid ice cubes to prevent potential problems like choking.
- Consult your health care provider for guidance on the safe use of counter pain medication or homeopathic remedies.
- Maintain oral health by cleaning new teeth with a clean, soft cloth or a baby toothbrush with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Keeping Those Primary Teeth Healthy
A visit to the pediatric dentist should be scheduled by your baby’s first birthday, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. This is a good time to discuss long-term dental health and the avoidance of oral medications that might lead to tooth decay.
The care for baby’s teeth doesn’t stop at the gum line. Ensuring the health of both the baby’s gums and teeth is vital. The American Dental Association suggests introducing a baby-friendly fluoride toothpaste as the first tooth makes its appearance, ensuring the burgeoning set of teeth gets the best start.
Related: Dental care posters and coloring pages
The Journey Towards Permanent Teeth
As the child grows, usually between the ages of 6 and 12, they will begin to lose their milk teeth, making way for the adult teeth, including the larger molars and even wisdom teeth in their late teenage years. Keeping a vigilant eye on the child’s teeth during these transformative years of life is crucial for fostering a healthy transition from baby teeth to a full set of permanent teeth.
Remember, each child’s development is unique, and variations in the teeth eruption patterns are normal. Keeping abreast of family history can sometimes provide a blueprint of what to expect.
The journey from a gummy smile to a mouth full of shiny teeth is indeed a special phase in your child’s development. Embrace it with patience and the right knowledge. For any adverse reaction or concern, always seek medical advice to ensure your little one’s teething experience is as comfortable as possible.
Keep smiling and happy parenting!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
1 thought on “Teething Patterns in Babies: What Order Do First Teeth Come?”