Even during pregnancy, and so before birth, the buds of the baby teeth develop beneath the child’s gums. Below you will find a reference chart showing when your child’s teeth will start to come through and when to expect them to fall out, making way for the permanent teeth.
This is of course a general chart that does not take individual differences into account. It is perfectly normal for a baby to have their first tooth at 3 months (some newborns are even born with a few baby teeth already in their mouth), just as it is normal to have to wait until their first birthday to see it appear.
Babies:
- 4 to 7 months: teething begins. The baby’s gums swell and become inflamed where the teeth are about to come through. The two lower central incisors are usually the first to appear. Did you know? These two teeth usually come through together.
- 8 to 12 months: the upper central incisors appear too. Did you know? Girls usually get their teeth earlier than boys.
- 9 to 16 months: the upper and lower lateral incisors come through. Did you know? These teeth usually come in pairs, one on the right and one on the left.
Pre-school children:
- 13 to 16 months: the upper and lower premolars appear at the same time. Did you know? Baby teeth are much whiter and smaller than permanent teeth.
- 16 to 23 months: the upper and lower canines make their appearance. Note: if your child has not yet cut a single tooth by 18 months, it is best to talk to your paediatrician, but there is no need to panic: some children start teething several months after their first birthday but quickly catch up.
- 23 to 33 months: the lower molars come through, followed soon after by the upper molars.
- 3 years: the child now has a complete set of 20 baby teeth.
- 4 years: the jaw and facial bones keep growing, creating the space needed for the permanent teeth.
School-age children:
- 6 to 12 years: the child starts losing their baby teeth. During these years their smile is made up of both baby teeth and permanent teeth. Baby teeth can fall out in any order, but usually the ones that came in first fall out first. The first to go are generally the central incisors (6 to 7 years), followed by the lateral incisors. The molars usually fall out between 9 and 12 years.
- 12 years and over: the child now has a permanent set of 28 teeth (the 4 wisdom teeth will not come through before the age of 17 to 21).
It is essential to look after young children’s oral hygiene right from the start, teaching them the importance of brushing their teeth after every meal and taking them for regular dental check-ups. To find out more, read also: Oral hygiene for little ones and how to look after it. If you are still expecting your baby, find out how to look after your own mouth and avoid problems for your unborn child: Oral health during pregnancy: the Italian Ministry of Health’s recommendations.
