What Is The First Teeth Babies Get
Sofiel Kustra
Teething is when teeth first come through a baby's gums. It can be a frustrating time for babies and their parents. Knowing what to expect during teething and how to make it a little less painful can help.
The first teeth to appear usually are the two bottom front teeth, also known as the central incisors. They're usually followed 4 to 8 weeks later by the four front upper teeth (central and lateral incisors). About a month later, the lower lateral incisors (the two teeth flanking the bottom front teeth) will appear.
Next to break through are the first molars (the back teeth used for grinding food), then finally the eyeteeth (the pointy teeth in the upper jaw). Most kids have all 20 of their primary teeth by their third birthday. (If your child's teeth come in much slower than this, speak to your doctor.)
In some rare cases, kids are born with one or two teeth or have a tooth emerge within the first few weeks of life. Unless the teeth interfere with feeding or are loose enough to pose a choking risk, this is usually not a cause for concern.
As kids begin teething, they might drool more and want to chew on things. For some babies, teething is painless. Others may have brief periods of irritability, while some may seem cranky for weeks, with crying spells and disrupted sleeping and eating patterns. Teething can be uncomfortable, but if your baby seems very fussy, talk to your doctor.
Although tender and swollen gums could cause your baby's temperature to be a little higher than normal, teething doesn't usually cause high fever or diarrhea. If your baby does develop a fever during the teething phase, something else is probably causing the fever and you should contact your doctor.
The care and cleaning of your baby's teeth is important for long-term dental health. Even though the first set of teeth will fall out, tooth decay makes them fall out more quickly, leaving gaps before the permanent teeth are ready to come in. The remaining primary teeth may then crowd together to attempt to fill in the gaps, which may cause the permanent teeth to come in crooked and out of place.
Daily dental care should begin even before your baby's first tooth comes in. Wipe your baby's gums daily with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze, or brush them gently with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and water (no toothpaste!).
By the time all your baby's teeth are in, try to brush them at least twice a day and especially after meals. It's also important to get kids used to flossing early on. A good time to start flossing is when two teeth start to touch. Talk to your dentist for advice on flossing those tiny teeth. You also can get toddlers interested in the routine by letting them watch and imitate you as you brush and floss.
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that kids see a dentist by age 1, or within 6 months after the first tooth appears, to spot any potential problems and advise parents about preventive care.
Although the exact timing of can vary from child to child, babies typically begin teething around 6 months of age. Usually the front bottom two teeth (lower central incisors) emerge first, accompanied by the front top two teeth (upper central incisors). Teething can be a painful and difficult process for both babies and parents, as infants may become especially fussy or cranky while their new teeth emerge. Quintessential signs and symptoms of teething include irritability or fussiness, drooling, chewing on firm solid objects, and sore or sensitive gums. Parents also commonly conclude that teething causes diarrhea and fever, but research has shown this to be untrue. Teething does produce signs and symptoms in the gums and mouth but does not generate constitutional or other extended bodily symptoms. In this baby dental topics article we cover stages of teething and helpful hints. Read more about other pediatric dental topics.
Stage 4: (16-22 months) During this stage, the canine teeth (between the top and bottom molars and incisors) will surface. The same recommendations for stage 2 and 3 can be implemented during this period to keep the baby as comfortable as possible.
Stage 5: (25-33 months) For some children, this is the most painful stage of teething. During this time, the large molars emerge. These are the biggest teeth, and parents may find their normal soothing techniques are no longer effective. Try different methods to soothe the toddler until something helps. Many parents find it beneficial to give the toddler a hard vegetable to chew on, and this is also healthy. If implementing this method, make sure to keep a close eye on the child at all times to make sure he/she does not choke!
When your baby starts teething, the first teeth to come in are the central incisors, or two up-front teeth in the middle of the mouth. Infants typically start getting their bottom central incisors between 6 to 10 months, with the top teeth coming around 8 to 12 months.
The central incisors and all the subsequent baby teeth that ultimately erupt through the gums typically come in pairs. That means if the bottom right and bottom left central incisor will break through at the same or similar times.
Seeing those front milk teeth come in might elicit any number of emotions as a parent. Your kiddo is growing up in a hurry! It may also help give that adorable little smile some added definition, talk about cuteness overload! What about the rest of those deciduous teeth? When do they start to arrive? And how many primary teeth do infants and children get?
The lateral incisors, which are located between the front teeth and canines, are the second primary teeth to start erupting through the gums during teething. Like the central incisors, lateral incisors help cut food during chewing.
Your baby gets two sets of molars, which are the rectangular teeth in the back of the mouth that have a flat surface to help grind food down. They are the largest teeth in the mouth and help crush food.
Once a fully developed tooth is ready under the gums, it will usually take a couple days for tooth eruption to occur. However, your infant may experience teething symptoms for about a week until the tooth breaks through.
Teething begins. Your baby's gums may be swollen and red where the teeth are coming through, and your little one may have other teething symptoms. The two middle teeth on the bottom (lower central incisors) are usually the first to erupt, often at about the same time.
The middle teeth are usually the first to go (at 6 to 7 years), followed by the ones on either side (at 7 to 8 years). The molars can be lost any time after that but will likely fall out between 9 and 12 years. The bottom canines will probably fall out between 9 and 12 years, and the top canines will come out between 10 and 12 years.
AAP. 2022. Baby's first tooth: 7 Facts parents should know. American Academy of Pediatrics. -stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Babys-First-Tooth-Facts-Parents-Should-Know.aspxOpens a new window [Accessed March 2023]
Give babies only breastmilk or formula until you introduce solids at around 6 months. Breastfed and formula-fed babies older than 6 months can also have small amounts of water. Avoid giving your baby sugary drinks. Once you introduce solids, also avoid giving your baby foods high in sugar.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). (2014). FDA drug safety communication: FDA recommends not using lidocaine to treat teething pain and requires new boxed warning. FDA. Retrieved 20 June 2022 from -safety-and-availability/fda-drug-safety-communication-fda-recommends-not-using-lidocaine-treat-teething-pain-and-requires.
It takes a few months before teething actually begins for the little bundle of joy. While you may not think it's necessary, you can already care for their gums during that time. Not only will it keep them clean and healthy, but it also begins your oral care routine for your baby. A routine that will eventually transition to brushing, and then, ultimately, your child will take over in their late toddler/early elementary school days. So the sooner you practice, the sooner you perfect it, making for a happy and healthy smile.
Drooling more than usual is a good sign the teething process has begun. Typically the 3-9 month range is the timeframe you can expect your baby to get their first tooth. Damp burp cloths are good to have on hand to help avoid the irritation the excess drool can leave. Usually, the teeth come in pairs. Often it's the lower front teeth that pop up first. Eruption charts can help track all 20 of their baby teeth.
The best at-home teething remedy to help get your child through the soreness and discomfort is distracting them. And that's usually through something they can put in their mouth. Chilled teething rings or cold washcloths have done the trick for parents around the world. If your baby is still fussy, connect with your pediatrician about an over-the-counter pain relief solution.
To get even more specific, most infants begin teething at around 6 months old. Your little one will likely have a full set of their first teeth by age 3, and all the joys of the teeth-brushing routine will have been long established.
Next, their teeth may come in two at a time, one on each side of the mouth. But this pattern can vary, and many factors can influence the timeline (like if your baby was born early or at a low birth weight, for example).
Those sometimes distressing (but always perfectly usual) teething symptoms may come and go during this time period. Or they may be more consistent as your little one cuts new teeth or starts to feel the first symptoms of a tooth emerging.
Some babies also develop flushness around their cheeks or a rash. And if you breastfeed or chestfeed, teething might change the way your baby latches, or they might feed more often to soothe themselves.
When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.
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