The tooth timeline
Put in a birthday, or pick an age. You’ll see which baby teeth are in, which are on the way, which could be wiggly, and what’s due next.
- 16teeth in
- 2could come in now
- 0could be wiggly
- 0adult teeth in their place
Tap a tooth on the chart to see when it comes in and falls out.
Not yetCould come in nowInCould be wigglyAdult tooth
What’s next for your child
Already past
First dental visit
Due by the first birthday. If your child hasn’t been yet, now is the time.
Now
Checkups every six months
A cleaning, a fluoride varnish and a look at what’s coming in next.
Now
Toothpaste: a smear
Fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice, twice a day, from the first tooth.
Coming up
The first wiggly tooth
Usually a lower front tooth, somewhere around age 6. Some kids are a year early or late.
Coming up
Sealants on the six-year molars
A thin coating painted into the grooves of the first adult molars, which come in around 6 or 7.
Coming up
An orthodontic check by 7
Orthodontists suggest a first look by 7. Most kids need nothing yet; we’ll tell you if they do.
Coming up
Sealants on the twelve-year molars
The second adult molars come in around 11 to 13 and get the same coating.
Teething, briefly
The ranges here come from the American Dental Association’s eruption chart. Every kid is different, and a tooth that’s a few months early or late is usually nothing to worry about. Ask us at the next checkup.
- Something cold to chewA chilled teething ring or a cold, clean washcloth. Not frozen solid.
- A clean finger on the gumsGentle pressure helps a lot of babies more than anything you can buy.
- Skip the numbing gelsThe FDA warns against benzocaine teething products for children under 2.
- A high fever isn’t teethingTeething can mean drool and grumpy days, but call your pediatrician for a real fever.