While parenting comes with a lot of joy and excitement, it can also come with a lot of questions. Is your fussy three-month-old teething already? Is it normal for your child to celebrate their first birthday with only one tooth? Thankfully, while baby teeth typically follow a general timeline when coming in, there is plenty of room for flexibility as your little one’s smile develops. Even so, it can be helpful to have a general idea of what to expect in the coming months. Read on to learn more about when you might see each of your son or daughter’s baby teeth appear.
Incisors
Your baby’s first teeth to come in will typically be their incisors, which are their very front teeth. The lower central incisors are often the first to make an appearance, usually between six and ten months old. The upper central incisors will follow between eight and 12 months old, then the upper lateral incisors on each side of the front teeth usually come in around nine to 13 months old. By the time they’re ten to 16 months old, their lower lateral incisors should appear.
First Molars
The large flat surface of your son or daughter’s first molars helps them chew food, allowing them to enjoy a wider variety of foods. However, since these teeth are bigger, your little one may experience some teething pain as they come in. You can usually expect the upper first molars to arrive between 13 to 19 months old, while the lower first molars should appear sometime between the time they’re 14 to 18 months old.
Canines (Cuspids)
The canines are strong, pointed teeth that fit between the first molars and the incisors. These unique teeth help your child break their food apart more easily. The upper two canines will most likely appear when your child is between 16 and 22 months old, while the lower two canines tend to follow between the ages of 17 to 23 months old.
Second Molars
Your child’s second set of molars will come in at the very back of their mouth, behind their first set of molars. Similar to how your little one’s first molars may have cause some discomfort while coming in because of their size, it’s not unusual for children to experience some teething pains as these last teeth come in. Between 23 to 31 months, your son or daughter’s bottom second molars will start erupting, followed by the upper second molars between 25 and 33 months.
By the age of three, most children will be ready to show off a full set of baby teeth! Remember, regardless of how many teeth your son or daughter has, they should come in for their first dental checkup by the time they turn one. Their pediatric dentist will be able to keep an eye on their growing smile and ensure that their oral development is on track!
About the Author
Dr. Layne Benzley of Castle Rock Smiles Pediatric Dentistry is passionate about caring for the growing smiles of Castle Rock, CO and the surrounding communities. Not only did he earn his pediatric dental specialty certificate from the Eastman Dental Center at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, but he is also a certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. His advanced training allows him to provide the individualized and specialized care every child deserves to maintain a healthy, happy smile for life. To learn more, feel free to contact him via his website or at (303) 660-5373.
