Skip to main content

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)

We’re often asked by our families when their baby’s teeth come in and how early we see babies for dental care. We put together this helpful infographic for you.

When babies reach 3 months of age, they’ll start producing more saliva and exploring the world with their mouth… but that doesn’t mean that they’re teething. A baby’s first tooth usually appears around 6 months of age but may even take a year. Most children have all their baby teeth by age 3.

Here’s the breakdown – take a look at the graphic below for the order each tooth will come in at:

  • Ages 6 to 12 months – your baby will start to get their first 4 teeth. At 6 months of age, you can begin using tap water in their bottle – which helps prevent tooth decay.
  • Ages 9 to 16 months – your baby may have its first 8 teeth. We accept appointments to see your baby when they turn one year old.
  • Ages 13 to 19 months – your baby may have its first 12 teeth.
  • Ages 17 to 23 months – your baby may have its first 16 teeth.
  • Ages 12 – 33 months – your baby may have its first 20 teeth.

Care for Teething Pain

Parents often notice discomfort and additional saliva as babies get their first tech. You can help ease teething pain by massaging your baby’s gums with clean fingers. You can also provide solid, teething rings or a clean frozen or wet washcloth.

Care For Your Baby’s Teeth

During your well-baby visits, your pediatrician will check your baby’s teeth and gums. They’ll make sure they’re healthy and talk to you about how to keep them that way. They’ll also typically apply fluoride varnish to help protect them.

When your baby gets its first tooth, you can begin brushing them twice a day. We recommend buying a soft-bristle baby toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. You also won’t want to put your baby to bed with a bottle as it can lead to tooth decay.

Your Baby’s First Dental Visit

At PrimeSmile, we want your child’s first dental visit to be a great experience. The first visit is recommended at your baby’s first birthday – within 6 months of the first teeth coming in. To make things comfortable, we can use a private room.

The first visit will include a full exam of your child’s mouth – including teeth, jaws, bite, and gums. We’ll also provide a gentle cleaning and show you how to properly care for their teeth, including brushing and flossing.

Baby Teeth 101: When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

This post is also available in: Español (Spanish)

Dr. Katie Peterson

“Dr. Katie” is a graduate of DePauw University and the Indiana University School of Dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Indiana Dental Association, and an affiliate of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Katie became enchanted with pediatric patient population early in her career, and has focused on the care and treatment of young patients ever since. She has worked at the westside office since 2005, as an associate then lead dentist, before acquiring both the two practices. This has allowed her to sharpen her leadership skills and create a staff that shares her vision of “patient first.”