When Should My Child’s First Teeth Come In?
Each child is different, and so are their timelines of teeth growth. However, your baby’s teeth coming in is an important milestone, so it’s good to know that your child’s development is on track. When it’s all said and done, your child will have 20 baby teeth that come in and eventually fall out to make room for their 32 permanent adult teeth.
Timeline of Baby Teeth Coming In
Children’s baby teeth usually begin to erupt from their gums when they are around 6 months old, and will continue to grow-in until they are approximately 3 years old. Different types of teeth come in at different times. The first teeth to come in will be the lower central incisors, which are the bottom middle teeth. These will usually come in when the child is between 6 and 10 months old. Next will come the upper central incisors, which are the two front teeth, between 8 to 12 months of age. The next pair of teeth to come in will be the upper lateral incisors, the teeth on either side of the 2 front teeth, at around ages of 9 to 13 months. Then come the lower lateral incisors on the sides of the bottom front teeth in between the ages of 10 and 16 months. Next up will be the upper first molars at the age of 13 to 19 months, followed by the lower first molars at 14 to 18 months. The next pair of teeth to grow-in will be the upper canines, the pointy teeth next to the upper lateral incisors at approximately 16 to 22 months old, followed by the lower canines at 17 to 23 months. The final baby teeth to grow in will be the upper and lower second molars, at 23-31 months and 25-33 months, respectively.
Concerns About Baby Teeth Growth
As stated in the above paragraphs, children’s teeth do not grow-in on a strict timeline because every child is different. However, if you are worried about your child’s oral health and development, see a dentist to ease any concerns you may have. When your child’s teeth do begin to come in, make sure you are helping them with good at-home oral health practices like daily brushing and flossing. Children should also see a dentist for the first time within 6 months of their first tooth coming in!
Gentle Dental Family Dentistry
If you are located in southern Maine and have any questions or concerns about your child’s oral health and development, contact Gentle Dental in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Our family dentists would be happy to speak with you about any queries you may have. Give us a call at one of our locations or fill out the new patient contact form on our website!