Children have 20 baby teeth (also called primary or milk teeth): 10 on top and 10 on the bottom. The first one usually appears at around 6 months, and the last baby teeth fall out at around 12 years. This guide shows the usual order and timing, how dentists number baby teeth, and when to start dental visits.
Tap any tooth on the chart to open its own page. Letters A–T are the Universal (US) names for baby teeth.
When baby teeth come in and fall out
| Tooth | Universal | FDI | Comes in | Falls out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper right second molar | A | 55 | 25-33 mos | 10-12 yrs |
| Upper right first molar | B | 54 | 13-19 mos | 9-11 yrs |
| Upper right canine | C | 53 | 16-22 mos | 10-12 yrs |
| Upper right lateral incisor | D | 52 | 9-13 mos | 7-8 yrs |
| Upper right central incisor | E | 51 | 8-12 mos | 6-7 yrs |
| Upper left central incisor | F | 61 | 8-12 mos | 6-7 yrs |
| Upper left lateral incisor | G | 62 | 9-13 mos | 7-8 yrs |
| Upper left canine | H | 63 | 16-22 mos | 10-12 yrs |
| Upper left first molar | I | 64 | 13-19 mos | 9-11 yrs |
| Upper left second molar | J | 65 | 25-33 mos | 10-12 yrs |
| Lower left second molar | K | 75 | 23-31 mos | 10-12 yrs |
| Lower left first molar | L | 74 | 14-18 mos | 9-11 yrs |
| Lower left canine | M | 73 | 17-23 mos | 9-12 yrs |
| Lower left lateral incisor | N | 72 | 10-16 mos | 7-8 yrs |
| Lower left central incisor | O | 71 | 6-10 mos | 6-7 yrs |
| Lower right central incisor | P | 81 | 6-10 mos | 6-7 yrs |
| Lower right lateral incisor | Q | 82 | 10-16 mos | 7-8 yrs |
| Lower right canine | R | 83 | 17-23 mos | 9-12 yrs |
| Lower right first molar | S | 84 | 14-18 mos | 9-11 yrs |
| Lower right second molar | T | 85 | 23-31 mos | 10-12 yrs |
The usual order
- Lower central incisors: about 6–10 months
- Upper central incisors: about 8–12 months
- Upper lateral incisors: about 9–13 months
- Lower lateral incisors: about 10–16 months
- First molars: about 13–19 months
- Canines: about 16–23 months
- Second molars: about 23–33 months
By about age 3 most children have all 20 baby teeth.
Losing baby teeth and the “mixed” years
From about age 6 to 12, children have a mix of baby and adult teeth. The lower front teeth usually go first, at around 6 to 7. The first adult molars (the “six-year molars”) come in behind the baby teeth at around the same time, without replacing anything, so parents sometimes mistake them for baby teeth.
Why baby teeth matter
- They let children chew a full range of foods.
- They help with speech.
- They hold space for the adult teeth. A baby molar lost early to decay can let neighbouring teeth drift into its space.
Caring for baby teeth
- The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend a first dental visit by a child’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth.
- For children under 3, a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice is recommended; from 3 to 6, a pea-sized amount.
- Ask your dentist or pediatrician about anything that worries you, such as teeth coming in very late, very early or out of order.
Questions
How many baby teeth do children have?
Twenty: four incisors, two canines and four molars in each jaw. There are no baby premolars.
What are baby teeth called in dental charts?
In the US Universal system they are lettered A to T. In the FDI system used in most other countries they are numbered 51–55, 61–65, 71–75 and 81–85. See the numbering guide.
For education only. This is not dental advice; your dentist can tell you what is right for your own teeth.