When do babies usually start getting their first teeth?

Most babies begin developing their first visible teeth around six months of age, although the timing can vary significantly from child to child. The lower central incisors are usually the first teeth to emerge, followed by the upper central incisors. Some babies may start teething as early as four months, while others may not develop their first tooth until after their first birthday. At Luma Ajlouni DDS in Gilroy, CA, we can monitor your child's dental development and address any concerns about delayed tooth eruption.

In what order do baby teeth typically come in?

Baby teeth generally erupt in a predictable sequence, beginning with the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars. Most children develop a complete set of 20 primary teeth by approximately age three. However, the exact timing and order can vary, and minor differences are usually normal. Regular pediatric dental visits allow our team to monitor tooth eruption and identify potential developmental concerns.

What are the common signs that my baby is teething?

Common signs of teething include increased drooling, swollen or tender gums, a desire to chew on objects, mild irritability, and changes in sleeping or feeding patterns. Some babies experience very little discomfort, while others may become fussier as their teeth emerge. Teething does not typically cause high fever, significant diarrhea, or severe illness. If your child develops these symptoms, consult their pediatrician rather than assuming they are related to teething.

How can I safely relieve my baby's teething discomfort?

You can help soothe teething discomfort by gently massaging your baby's gums with a clean finger or offering a chilled, solid teething ring. A clean, cool washcloth may also provide relief when your baby chews on it under supervision. Avoid frozen teething toys, amber teething necklaces, and over-the-counter teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine, as these may pose safety risks. If your baby seems unusually uncomfortable, consult your pediatrician or dentist for age-appropriate recommendations.

When do children start losing their baby teeth?

Most children begin losing their baby teeth around age six, typically starting with the lower central incisors. Permanent teeth gradually replace primary teeth over several years, with most children losing their final baby teeth between ages 10 and 12. The first permanent molars often emerge around age six behind the existing baby teeth without replacing any of them. At Luma Ajlouni DDS, we can monitor your child's transition to permanent teeth and help identify potential eruption or spacing concerns.

Understanding Baby Teeth | Eruption Schedule

Pediatric dentistry is the fancy term we use to describe “taking care of children’s teeth”. So, what do you need to know about taking care of your child's teeth? Let's start at the beginning. Baby teeth begin erupting between 6-12-months, and continue until your child is 3-5-years old. Throughout this period, their gums may feel tender and sore as a result of the physical pressure that new teeth create while erupting. You can soothe their gums by rubbing them with a clean finger or with a cool or wet cloth. Teething rings may also help with gum soreness. As your child gets older, their baby teeth will begin falling out, typically starting at age 6.

Schedule of baby teeth | chart of baby teeth and when they erupt | child dentist near you | Luma Ajlouni, DDS | Best Dentist In Gilroy, California

Teething Child

All twenty primary (or baby) teeth should be in by the time your child is 2-3-years old. Having a teething child can be stressful, especially if your child is in pain from their teeth coming in. It does not have to be a painful experience though. According to the Dental Association, some methods to make the teething process easier, include rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger, damp cloth, or with the back of a small, cool spoon. If these methods do not work, our dentist, or your child’s family doctor can recommend a mild over-the-counter medication to relieve the pain.

Small children and babies are likely to chew anything they can get their hands on; walls, seatbelts, table edges, etc. Try to ensure your child stays away from materials that are hard enough to break their teeth or make their gums bleed. It is also important to avoid certain methods while handling a teething child; do not use a liquid painkiller that can be rubbed on your toddler’s gums – your child could ingest some of it; avoid teething biscuits, since many teething biscuits have added sugar or contain hidden sugars; do not dismiss a fever! Fevers are not part of the teething process and if your child has a fever, it is likely not related to their new teeth – you should take your child to their doctor.

First Dental Visit

The common question all new parents have “At what age should my little one be seen by the dentist?”

It is recommended by the Dental Association to assess your child within 6-months of the eruption of their first tooth, or by age 1. However, at our office, we recommend parents bring their children in by 2-years of age for their first dental visit. Even if your child cannot sit still in the chair, we like to familiarize children early on with the office environment and get them as comfortable as possible. Children who see a dentist from an early age are less likely to fear the dentist later in life. Preventative screenings may be all that is required at such an early age; however, at this time, our team is able to help counsel parents on feeding methods and thumb and finger habits that will help build healthy hygiene habits. To get your child ready for their first visit, we suggest allowing your child to attend a hygiene visit with a parent or sibling to become familiar with the office and team. It is also helpful to encourage regular tooth care at home.

Toothpaste and Toothbrush

For young toddlers, brushing with a toothbrush and water is usually sufficient. Non-fluoridated toothpaste can be used but you should always encourage your child to spit it out to help build proper oral habits. Start brushing with a rice grain-sized amount of toothpaste and be sure to watch for any discolouration of their teeth. Until your child can completely spit all the toothpaste, fluoridated toothpaste should not be used. An overconsumption of fluoride toothpaste may cause dental fluorosis of their adult teeth. Dental fluorosis is when the enamel does not properly form and appears with bright white and brown pitted stains. Dental enamel affected by dental fluorosis does not form as strong as it normally should and is therefore prone to cavities.

For infants, a damp or wet cloth is more than enough to clear their gums until their first tooth beings erupting. Once that happens, switch to a finger-brush. A finger-brush is a light fitted rubber holster for your finger which has a gentle scrub to keep your child’s teeth clean. Since an infants diet primarily consists of milk and mashed vegetables, aggressive brushing should be avoided. Once your child begins developing more teeth, switch to a handheld soft-bristle toothbrush. Have your child try brushing your teeth to practice how teeth should be cleaned and try to brush at the same time as your child as they pick up on what you are doing and mimic your movements. Some parents have had success with a counting game when brushing, while others sing songs or play music to encourage a good amount of time to brush.

Children’s Dental Care

As parents, we are so concerned with the overall health of our children that we tend to overlook what we deem to be the little things. The health of our teeth is extremely important, especially for children. Children are not immune to dental and oral health issues simply because they are young. Children can have dental and oral health issues if they are not educated enough on proper oral care, or if no preventative measures are taken during their youth. It is never too early to start teaching the importance of oral health to your child. If you instill proper oral care in your child early, they are much more likely to have healthy teeth and gums throughout their life, will require fewer dental procedures, and have better overall physical health. Here are some great ways to keep your child’s oral health in great shape:

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Frequently Asked Questions

When do babies usually start getting their first teeth?

Most babies begin developing their first visible teeth around six months of age, although the timing can vary significantly from child to child. The lower central incisors are usually the first teeth to emerge, followed by the upper central incisors. Some babies may start teething as early as four months, while others may not develop their first tooth until after their first birthday. At Luma Ajlouni DDS in Gilroy, CA, we can monitor your child's dental development and address any concerns about delayed tooth eruption.
In what order do baby teeth typically come in?

Baby teeth generally erupt in a predictable sequence, beginning with the lower central incisors, followed by the upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars. Most children develop a complete set of 20 primary teeth by approximately age three. However, the exact timing and order can vary, and minor differences are usually normal. Regular pediatric dental visits allow our team to monitor tooth eruption and identify potential developmental concerns.
What are the common signs that my baby is teething?

Common signs of teething include increased drooling, swollen or tender gums, a desire to chew on objects, mild irritability, and changes in sleeping or feeding patterns. Some babies experience very little discomfort, while others may become fussier as their teeth emerge. Teething does not typically cause high fever, significant diarrhea, or severe illness. If your child develops these symptoms, consult their pediatrician rather than assuming they are related to teething.
How can I safely relieve my baby's teething discomfort?

You can help soothe teething discomfort by gently massaging your baby's gums with a clean finger or offering a chilled, solid teething ring. A clean, cool washcloth may also provide relief when your baby chews on it under supervision. Avoid frozen teething toys, amber teething necklaces, and over-the-counter teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine, as these may pose safety risks. If your baby seems unusually uncomfortable, consult your pediatrician or dentist for age-appropriate recommendations.
When do children start losing their baby teeth?

Most children begin losing their baby teeth around age six, typically starting with the lower central incisors. Permanent teeth gradually replace primary teeth over several years, with most children losing their final baby teeth between ages 10 and 12. The first permanent molars often emerge around age six behind the existing baby teeth without replacing any of them. At Luma Ajlouni DDS, we can monitor your child's transition to permanent teeth and help identify potential eruption or spacing concerns.

Support Your Child's Growing Smile

From the first baby tooth to the arrival of permanent teeth, every stage of dental development matters. At Luma Ajlouni DDS, we help parents understand tooth eruption and provide preventive care to support healthy growing smiles.

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