Most babies get their first tooth, usually a bottom front tooth, at around 6 to 10 months. The timing varies a lot: some babies are born with a tooth, and others have none until after their first birthday. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about 3 years.
Dental care starts before the first tooth. This guide covers the usual order and ages, cleaning and toothpaste by country, and the first dental visit. For teething signs and soothing sore gums, see our teething guide.
When do babies get their first tooth?
The NHS says most babies start teething at around 6 months, and a few are born with teeth. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says teething typically starts by about 4 to 7 months. The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (SCHN) gives a wider usual range of 3 to 12 months.
The Better Health Channel says all 20 baby teeth are already forming in the jaw at birth, 10 upper and 10 lower. It notes that a first tooth may not come through until 12 months or later, and that the timing for each tooth differs from child to child.
In what order do baby teeth come in?
The Better Health Channel gives these usual age ranges for each tooth:
| Tooth | Lower jaw (months) | Upper jaw (months) |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors (front) | 6–10 | 8–12 |
| Lateral incisors (beside the front) | 10–16 | 9–13 |
| First molars | 14–18 | 13–19 |
| Canines (eye teeth) | 17–23 | 16–22 |
| Second molars (back) | 23–31 | 25–33 |
These are typical ranges, not deadlines, and the Better Health Channel stresses that timing differs from child to child. The AAP says the two front teeth, upper or lower, usually come first, followed by the opposite front pair, then the first molars and the canines.
What does a tooth look like as it comes through?
The NHS says the gum is often sore and red where a tooth is coming through. The Better Health Channel describes an eruption cyst, a bluish-grey bubble on the gum, which usually goes away once the tooth comes through.
What if my baby has no teeth yet?
A gummy smile at 10 or 12 months is often just a later timetable. The AAP says not to worry if teeth arrive later than the usual teething window, and the Better Health Channel says a first tooth may not appear until 12 months or later.
We didn't find a public-health source that sets a firm age when missing teeth become a concern. All the sources we checked recommend a first dental visit by 12 months, so that's the time to ask. If your child has no teeth by their first birthday, mention it at that visit or to your GP or child-health nurse, and say if your baby was born early.
When should I start cleaning my baby's teeth?
Earlier than many parents expect. The Better Health Channel suggests:
- From birth: wipe your baby's gums with a soft, clean cloth.
- From the first tooth: brush twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush.
- At bedtime: the NHS advises brushing twice daily for about 2 minutes, including last thing at night.
The NHS says parents or carers should do the brushing for children under 3. From 3 to 6, children can have a go while you supervise. Sitting your baby on your lap facing away from you can make it easier to see their teeth.
How much toothpaste should a baby use?
This is where guidance differs most between countries:
| Age | Australia | UK (NHS) | US (AAP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| First tooth to 18 months | Water only | Smear, at least 1000 ppm fluoride | Rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste |
| 18 months to 3 years | Pea-sized, low-fluoride children's toothpaste | Smear, at least 1000 ppm | Rice-grain smear |
| 3 to 6 years | Pea-sized, low-fluoride | Pea-sized, 1000–1500 ppm | Pea-sized |
The Australian advice comes from the Better Health Channel and SCHN, which both say to brush with water only for babies under 18 months. The Better Health Channel then recommends a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride children's toothpaste until age 6. The NHS advises a smear of children's toothpaste with at least 1000 ppm fluoride from the first tooth. The AAP advises a smear the size of a grain of rice; its guide to good oral health keeps to that until age 3, then a pea-sized amount. Brushing baby teeth covers each country's advice in more detail.
Whichever applies to you:
- Spit, don't rinse. The NHS and Better Health Channel advise spitting out toothpaste without rinsing, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Store toothpaste out of reach. The Better Health Channel recommends this.
- Follow your local dental service. Your dentist may suggest something different for your child.
When should my baby first see a dentist?
| Source | Advice |
|---|---|
| SCHN (Australia) | When the first tooth appears or by the first birthday, whichever comes first |
| Better Health Channel (Australia) | At 12 months |
| NHS (UK) | When the first teeth appear, or before 12 months |
| AAP (US) | Within 6 months of the first tooth, and no later than 12 months |
An early visit is a chance to ask about brushing, toothpaste, teething and anything that worries you.
What else protects new teeth?
The NHS teething tips say it's best to avoid rusks, because nearly all brands contain some sugar, and to avoid high-sugar foods, which can cause decay even when a child has only a few teeth. See starting solids for first foods.
When should I ask a dentist or doctor?
Talk to your dentist, GP or child-health nurse if:
- Your child has no teeth by their first birthday.
- You're unsure whether a lump or bubble on the gum is a tooth coming through.
- You have questions about toothpaste, brushing or fluoride where you live.
If your baby seems unwell while teething, or has a temperature of 38°C or more, treat it as possible illness rather than teeth. The teething guide has the full urgency tiers, including when to call your local emergency number (000 in Australia, 999 in the UK, 911 in the US).
Recording the date each tooth appears makes a lovely keepsake. It also gives your dentist a quick picture of your child's pattern at the first visit.
