The teething journey is unique for every baby. Some babies start teething at around 6 months, while some after 12 months. Some babies experience pain and discomfort as their teeth begin to emerge, while some don’t.

You can’t predict when your baby’s teeth will erupt. However, some babies may show symptoms of teething like increased salivary flow at around3 months or exploring with their mouth.

Let’s examine which teeth babies usually cut first, next, and how to care for these primary teeth.

In what order do baby teeth erupt?

Baby (primary) teeth hold the space for adult or permanent teeth. While they eventually fall out, they play a crucial role in your child’s mouth development.

• Usually, the bottom incisors or bottom front teeth are the ones to erupt first. This is then followed by the top incisors or upper front teeth.
• The next teeth to come through tend to be either side of the upper front teeth, then their bottom counterpart on either side of the bottom incisors will appear.
• After that the back teeth or first molars erupt, followed by the teeth leading to them or the canines.
• The second molars tend to come through next, at around 20 to 30 months of age.
• At around 2 years old, babies will have all their primary teeth showing.

This is how baby teeth usually appear, but it can be different for some babies.

How many teeth do children have?

By the time they turn one, most babies tend to have around two to four teeth. Their teeth continue to emerge until around two years of age. At this point, most children will already have all 20 primary teeth.

Care tips for primary teeth

Primary teeth are important even though they’re temporary. Here are some tips to keep them healthy:

• Clean your baby’s teeth regularly. Clean your baby’s gums using a clean damp cloth. You can start to useage-appropriate toothbrushes as soon as their first tooth appears.
• Limit the intake of sugary food and beverages. Fruit juices and processed beverages are usually high in sugar. Babies below age one won’t need juice. For toddlers, it’s best to skip beverages with added sugars. Be sure to always check labels.
• Avoid leaving a bottle in your baby’s mouth. Don’t let your baby sleep with their bottle in their mouth. After bottle feeding, make it a habit to brush or wipe their teeth clean.
• Don’t dip pacifiers in sugar. Never dip your baby’s pacifier in sweets, especially since babies tend to use their pacifier for an extended period–to keep them calm or to put them to sleep.
• Avoid sharing utensils. Let your baby use their own utensils to prevent the transmission of bad bacteria in the mouth that can cause decay.
• See the dentist. Take your baby to your family dentist for their first dental checkup as soon as they get their first tooth or once they turn one.

Consult your family dentist for your baby's teething journey.

It’s exciting to see your baby get their tiny first tooth, but at the same time, the journey can also present struggles. If you’re having a hard time caring for your baby’s teeth or are seeing unusual teething symptoms, get in touch with your family dentist.

Good oral hygiene habits start even before the teeth emerge, and your dental team is your partner in ensuring that your baby develops a healthy set of teeth.

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