It’s one of the first milestones that all new parents are on the lookout for baby’s first tooth! Although usually accompanied by plenty of fussing and maybe a little discomfort, this important step means that the future is full of bright, toothy smiles.

Once your baby’s first teeth start to erupt, however, dental care has to begin as well. Baby teeth, also called primary or deciduous teeth, are important for both childhood nutrition and as placeholders for your child’s permanent or “adult” teeth. These teeth need to be cared for in the same way as adult teeth, and are even more susceptible to cavities and decay due to their softer enamel—and a childhood penchant for sweets. This baby teeth chart will help you anticipate which teeth will arrive in which order, and also in which order they will fall out. With this information, you can make sure your child’s dental health is developing properly, and better prepare yourself for the kind of care you’ll need to provide as they get used to their new teeth.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

Teething is a highly individual milestone and it can happen differently for every child, but the most common time when baby teeth come in is between 4 and 12 months. However, you may see teeth arrive before or after this time frame.

Most of the time, the two front teeth on either the top or bottom row appear—or “erupt”—first. Often these are then followed by the opposite front teeth, then the first molars, followed by the canines. As the teeth continue to appear, your baby should have all of their teeth by the time they turn 2 or 3. Below is a tooth eruption chart that catalogs which of your baby’s teeth should arrive in which order:

Top Teeth

Bottom Teeth

How Many Teeth Do Babies Have?

In total babies should have 20 teeth—ten on the top and ten on the bottom—by the time they turn 3, and should begin to lose those teeth by the time they turn 6. This baby’s teeth chart lists the approximate age at which your child will begin to lose their teeth.

Top Teeth

Bottom Teeth

How to Care for a Teething Baby?

For some babies, teething is completely painless, but others may experience some discomfort or pain in the gums as the new teeth begin to emerge. In some cases, it may even cause your child to run a low-grade fever. If your baby is around the age where their teeth begin to erupt and they are fussy or otherwise uncomfortable, they may be experiencing teething pain even before any teeth are even visible. When this happens, call your dentist for advice on the best treatment methods. They may prescribe the use of teething toys which can be refrigerated to soothe the inflamed gums, or potentially some child-safe pain medication. Again, consult this child’s tooth chart for a more accurate idea of when you’re baby might start experiencing these symptoms.

What Kind of Care Do Baby Teeth Need?

They Should Be Brushed Regularly

As soon as your baby’s teeth emerge, they need to be brushed. Baby teeth have softer enamel than adult teeth and are more prone to cavities, which can lead to infection of the soft tissues of the mouth. Use a soft-bristled brush to gently clean your child’s teeth and gums in the morning and evening. A manual or electric brush will work just fine, just don’t use too much pressure so that it is uncomfortable for your baby.

Don’t Give Your Child Sugary Foods or Drinks

Children don’t need sugary foods, and many products have added sugars and sweeteners that aren’t apparent at first glance. Babies under 1 should have no juice whatsoever and if you must give your toddler something sweet to drink, limit it to 4 ounces of 100 percent fruit juice per day. Avoid sodas or carbonated beverages.

Bottles Can Cause Problems

Bottles full of juice can cause tooth decay in infants. Even after feeding milk or formula with a bottle, you should wipe your baby’s teeth and gums with a warm washcloth to avoid the accumulation of extra sugars that can cause cavities.

Don’t Sugarcoat Your Pacifiers

Don’t dip a pacifier in honey, as this can cause a dangerous condition called infant botulism. Also, avoid sharing pacifiers, bottles, or other utensils as this can transfer bacteria between baby’s mouths and potentially increase the chances of decay.

For any other questions or a further explanation of this baby teeth chart, call or schedule an appointment with Northern Nevada Children’s Dental and Orthodontics. We’re passionate about children’s dentistry and we’re ready to look after even the littlest patients. We’ll help your child with everything from teething to their first checkup—and even if they need a children’s emergency dentist! Our clinic is about helping children and their parents feel better about dental care, so don’t wait! Call today.