The Order In Which Baby Teeth Appear

All babies have 20 primary teeth (also known as baby teeth) hidden below their gums at birth. These teeth erupt starting around 6 months until around 3 years old, averaging one tooth a month. Baby teeth typically appear in sets. Your child is teething when you notice excess drool, crankiness and a desire to bite down on random objects.

Function

Primary teeth help babies chew solid food and be able to talk. Baby teeth also give shape to faces and, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing under the gums.

Types

There are 20 primary teeth: four central incisors, four side incisors, four back molars, four canine teeth and four "second year" molars.

Time Frame

Around 6 months the bottom two incisors are the first teeth to erupt. Next, somewhere around 8 months, the top two incisors appear along with the four side incisors. The four back molars erupt between 10 to 14 months. The four canine teeth appear from 16 to 20 months. Finally the second-year molars are the last teeth to come through, usually around 24 to 30 months.

Considerations

Not all babies get teeth at the same time, and this is okay. Late teething or early teething tends to run in families and is not the result of poor nutrition or improper development.

Prevention/Solution

The ADA recommends all babies see a dentist within six months of getting their first tooth and no later than their first birthday. A dentist will check for tooth decay and other potential issues.

References

• American Dental Association
• Orajel