When Do Baby Teeth Come In and What Order Should Parents Expect?

A baby can drool through three bibs, chew on every toy in reach, and still have nothing to show for it at the front of the mouth. Parents start comparing months with other babies, and the worry creeps in: is something wrong, or is this normal? Usually it is timing. 

Primary teeth arrive in a fairly predictable sequence, but the calendar shifts from child to child, which is why a pediatric dentist in Saskatoon watches the pattern rather than the date on the wall. This guide follows that sequence month by month, from the first bottom tooth to the final molar, and flags the moments worth a call to the dentist.

Before Any Tooth Shows (Birth to Around 6 Months)

Primary teeth begin forming in the womb. By the time a newborn comes home, all 20 are already sitting under the gums on a schedule set months earlier.

That makes the newborn stretch a starting line, not a waiting room. Wiping the gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeding clears milk residue and gets a baby used to having their mouth handled. The team at Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry finds that babies who grow up with that habit tend to treat a first appointment as routine instead of an ambush.

Months 6 to 12: The Bottom Front Teeth Lead

The two lower central incisors almost always break through first, usually between 6 and 10 months. The upper central incisors follow between 8 and 12 months, and they often look comically large next to the bottom pair.

Teething signs cluster around these weeks: drooling, gnawing, flushed cheeks, and broken sleep. A cold (not frozen) teething ring or a clean finger rubbed along the gum helps. Teething gels containing benzocaine are not recommended for infants.

Once that first tooth is visible, brushing starts. A soft infant brush and a grain-of-rice smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice daily, is the standard advice for Canadian children under three. At Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry, that brushing lesson often happens before a child can walk.

The Baby Teeth Order at a Glance

Eruption charts give ranges, not deadlines. A tooth landing a few months either side of its window is still normal.

Primary tooth	Upper jaw	Lower jaw
Central incisors	8–12 months	6–10 months
Lateral incisors	9–13 months	10–16 months
First molars	13–19 months	14–18 months
Canines (cuspids)	16–22 months	17–23 months
Second molars	25–33 months	23–31 months

Two patterns hold across nearly every child: teeth tend to erupt in pairs, one on each side, and lower teeth usually beat their upper counterparts. The lateral incisors, which fill the gaps beside the front teeth, round out the smile somewhere between 9 and 16 months.

Months 13 to 23: Molars Arrive Before the Canines

Here is where the baby teeth order surprises people. The first molars show up next, at the back of the mouth, while the pointed canines are still missing. Parents often assume a tooth has been skipped. Nothing has been skipped, and the canines fill those gaps between 16 and 23 months.

First molars have broad chewing surfaces with grooves that trap food, so this is the stage where brushing needs to reach the back of the mouth. Practices such as Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry use this visit to show parents the lap-to-lap position, which gives a clear view of those back teeth.

Months 23 to 33: The Second Molars Finish the Set

The second molars are the last to arrive and frequently the most uncomfortable, since they are the largest primary teeth pushing through firm gum tissue. Most children have all 20 primary teeth by their third birthday.

The first permanent molars typically appear around age six, behind the baby teeth rather than replacing them, while the primary set holds space for the adult teeth underneath.

When the Timeline Runs Differently

Variation is common, and most of it resolves on its own.

Early, late, and out of sequence

A few babies are born with a natal tooth. Others reach their first birthday with bare gums, which is still within range. Sequence matters more than exact timing, so a tooth arriving out of order is worth mentioning at a check-up, not panicking over.

Mild fever, rash, or diarrhea are not caused by teething and should be assessed by a physician.

What warrants a call

Booking becomes worthwhile when gums stay swollen or bleed, when a spot on a tooth turns white, brown, or chalky, or when no teeth have appeared by 18 months. Tooth decay can start as soon as a tooth does, and it moves quickly through thin primary enamel. Dental surgery for early childhood caries accounts for roughly one-third of all day surgeries performed on Canadian children aged one to five, a figure that reflects how often early decay goes unnoticed. 

The Canadian Dental Association recommends an infant assessment within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by 12 months of age. Clinics like Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry keep those first appointments short and low-pressure, closer to a gum check and a conversation about brushing than a full cleaning. 

FAQ

What order do baby teeth come in?

Baby teeth usually erupt in this order: lower central incisors, upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars. Teeth generally arrive in matching pairs on each side of the jaw, and the lower tooth of a pair tends to appear slightly before its upper partner.

Which baby teeth are the most painful to come in?

The second molars are typically the hardest on a child, arriving between 23 and 33 months. Their size and broad surface mean more gum tissue has to separate as they push through. First molars rank a close second for the same reason.

How long does it take for a baby tooth to come in fully?

A single tooth usually takes about one to two weeks to move from a visible bump to a fully emerged crown, though soreness can begin several days earlier. The complete primary set takes roughly two and a half years, finishing near a child's third birthday.

Is it normal for a 12-month-old to have no teeth?

Yes, a completely toothless first birthday still falls within normal range for many children. Eruption timing varies widely and is often inherited. A dental assessment is still recommended by age one, and a professional can confirm the teeth are developing under the gums.

What are the signs that a baby is teething?

Common signs include heavy drooling, chewing on hands and objects, swollen or tender gums, irritability, flushed cheeks, and disrupted sleep. These symptoms typically appear a few days before a tooth breaks through. High fever, rash, and diarrhea are not teething symptoms and need medical attention.

The Bottom Line

Baby teeth arrive on a loose schedule: bottom front first, top front next, then molars, canines, and second molars, with the set complete around age three. Knowing the sequence turns a stressful guessing game into something parents can track with confidence. 

Every child runs slightly ahead or behind, and that range is normal. What matters more is starting care early and keeping it consistent. Parents whose babies have that first tooth, or who are still waiting, can book an infant check-up with a kid friendly dental clinic in Saskatoon and build the habit while it is still easy.