Ages are the standard textbook ranges for eruption of the crown into the mouth. Lower teeth usually appear a little before their upper partners.
| Primary tooth | Upper eruption | Lower eruption | Usually shed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central incisor | 8–12 months | 6–10 months | 6–7 years |
| Lateral incisor | 9–13 months | 10–16 months | 7–8 years |
| Canine | 16–22 months | 17–23 months | 9–12 years |
| First molar | 13–19 months | 14–18 months | 9–11 years |
| Second molar | 25–33 months | 23–31 months | 10–12 years |
How it works
How eruption is sequenced
Teeth do not arrive at random. In both dentitions they follow a recognisable order — incisors first, then (in babies) first molars before canines, and in the permanent set a longer sequence that swaps premolars into the spaces left by primary molars. Knowing the sequence matters as much as the ages: a tooth arriving badly out of order can be the first sign of crowding, an extra tooth, or a missing successor.
Using this chart with parents
The ranges are deliberately wide. When a parent worries that a tooth is "late", comparing the range for the matching upper and lower tooth — and checking whether the same tooth on the other side has appeared — settles most concerns on the spot. Asymmetry between sides is a better warning sign than simple lateness.
Worked example
A worried parent, a 9-month-old, no teeth yet: the chart shows lower central incisors erupt at 6–10 months and uppers at 8–12 months — so at nine months with nothing visible, the baby is still inside the normal range, and a review at the next visit is reasonable.
A 6-year-old losing a front tooth: primary central incisors are shed at 6–7 years, right on schedule, and the permanent lower centrals erupt at 6–7 years to replace them.
Frequently asked questions
Which teeth come in first?
In babies, the lower central incisors are usually first, at around six months. In the permanent dentition, the first molars and lower central incisors lead at around age six — which is why the first molar is nicknamed the 'six-year molar'.
How many baby teeth and adult teeth are there?
There are 20 primary (baby) teeth: in each quadrant two incisors, one canine, and two molars. The permanent set has 32: incisors, canines, premolars (which baby teeth do not have), and up to three molars per quadrant.
When do baby teeth fall out?
Shedding starts around age six with the lower central incisors and continues in roughly the order the teeth arrived, finishing with the primary molars and canines around ages 10-12 as their permanent successors push through.
My child's tooth is late. Should I worry?
Usually not — eruption timing varies widely between healthy children, and girls often erupt slightly ahead of boys. If a tooth is more than about a year outside its range, or one side is far ahead of the other, ask a dentist to check for a missing tooth or an obstruction.
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