Baby Teeth Chart: Timeline for Eruption & Care Tips

A baby teeth chart helps you track when your child’s first (primary) teeth are likely to appear — and when they’ll eventually fall out. Most babies cut their first tooth around 6 months, but anything from about 3 months to after their first birthday can still be normal. Teeth often arrive in pairs, starting at the front, and most children have all 20 baby teeth by around age 3.

Next, we’ll break down the usual eruption order and what to do if your baby’s timeline looks different.

Baby Teeth Chart: In What Order Do Baby Teeth Appear and Fall Out?

Curious when your child’s baby teeth may appear and fall out? A baby teeth chart gives you a general timeline for every stage of their first smile. Understanding the milk teeth order helps you know what to expect.

Although there’s lots of variation, most babies get their first teeth at about 6 months, and start losing them around 6 years up to age 12. Check out the teeth chart below for a handy guide to which teeth might appear (or disappear) when. This also answers common questions like 'When do milk teeth fall out?' and the average order of baby teeth.

Every child is different, so these timings are just a rough guide. If you’re unsure about when your child’s baby teeth will start coming out or what order they should appear in, just have a chat with your dentist or health visitor – they’re always happy to help and put your mind at ease.

When do Babies Start Teething?

If you’re wondering, ‘When do babies get teeth? ’ – most start teething between about 6 and 12 months, but some can get a first tooth as early as 4 months, or sometimes not till after their first birthday. The milk teeth schedule can vary! Many parents use a baby teeth chart to track eruption times.

The first teeth to show up are usually those teeny front ones at the top or bottom. The arrival of these little chompers is the beginning of your baby’s toothy adventure.

Which Baby Teeth Come in First?

The order teeth come in isn’t always the same for every child, but most babies will see their teeth pop up like this, following a typical baby teeth order:

1. Bottom front teeth (lower central incisors)

2. Top front teeth (upper central incisors)

3. Lateral incisors

4. First molars

5. Canines

6. Second molars.

When do Molars Come In?

Molars are often the last to turn up in the baby teeth line-up. They tend to come in pairs – one on each side, top and bottom – until your little one’s got the full set. Usually, by about 2.5 to 3 years old, your child will have all 20 baby teeth in place, including the back molars.

How Many Teeth Do Babies and Kids Have in Total?

Wondering 'How many teeth does a child have? ' In total, there are 20 of them – 10 on the top, 10 on the bottom. They’ll make their entrance bit by bit, generally following the milk teeth schedule, and by the age of 3, your child will likely have a mouthful of all 20.

From there, it’s only a few years before they begin wiggling and falling out – usually starting from around age 6 – as those grown-up teeth line up to take their place.

What Are the Signs of Teething in Babies and Toddlers?

It helps to recognise the signs of teething in infants, so you know what’s going on. Common symptoms include:

• Irritability: Your baby might seem extra fussy or teary, due to sore gums.

• Disturbed sleep: Teething can cause more night waking than usual.

• Loads of drool: When a tooth’s about to show, you might notice lots more dribbling.

• Chewing on anything: Little ones often gnaw on toys, fingers or teething rings to soothe their gums during teething.

• Sore, swollen gums: The area might look a bit red or puffy just before a tooth pops through.

You might also notice their cheeks (or one cheek) are slightly flushed during teething, or they're rubbing their ear.

These signs and symptoms of teething in an infant tend to pop up a few days before a tooth breaks through, then settle down afterwards. Every baby’s different – some breeze through teething with barely a sign, while others have more obvious symptoms. If you’re not sure or you’re worried, ask your health visitor or dentist for tips on early signs of teething and signs of teething in breastfed babies. For advice on healthy gums and dental hygiene, check our child dental hygiene guide.

How to Help Soothe a Teething Baby

Some babies barely notice teething, but others can get grumpy or have a slight temperature when those teeth are on the move. The sore, swollen gums are usually to blame. It doesn’t last long – the worst of it’s over in a few days for each tooth, but the whole teething journey can go on for months until all the teeth arrive.

If your baby is struggling, here are some tips to help soothe a teething baby:

Ask your baby's GP or pharmacist about giving your baby paracetamol or ibuprofen to ease discomfort. Teething gels aren’t really proven to work, and many aren't safe for children. Consult your GP before considering them.

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When to Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

When should you start brushing your baby’s teeth? Start brushing as soon as that first little tooth appears – twice a day, using just a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (no bigger than a grain of rice) and a baby toothbrush, especially before bedtime. If your little one’s not keen, check out these ways to make brushing teeth fun!

When your child turns 3, you can use a pea-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste. Stick around to help with brushing until they can do it themselves and spit out the toothpaste – usually around 7 or 8 years old. It’s important to know when to start brushing baby teeth for proper oral care.

Getting into the habit early sets your little explorer up for healthy, happy teeth!

The Bottom Line

Spotting that first tiny tooth is always an exciting moment, and a baby teeth chart is a great tool for working out what to expect as the rest make their appearance. Remember, every baby grows at their own unique pace, and the order in which teeth come in might be a bit different for your little one.

As your baby's mouth fills up with those little teeth, it’s a good idea to discover more about looking after baby teeth and when to book that all-important first dentist trip.

And don’t miss out – download the Pampers Club app to collect points and get rewards while you care for those adorable first smiles.