Understanding your child’s tooth development

Six months to three years

When your baby is around six months old, their very first tooth will usually emerge from inside their gum. These early teeth are often called baby teeth or milk teeth.

The bottom front teeth are usually the first to erupt, followed by the top front teeth. These are known as central incisors. The teeth on either side of these usually come in next, which are called lateral incisors. Next up, is the first set of back teeth – known as the first molars. The sharp canines that frame the front of their mouth appear next, and finally, the second set of molars come in.

During this time, you might notice that your little one’s cheeks are red or warm. They could start to dribble more than usual too. You might find it helps to rub a special teething gel onto their gums or give them a cool (not frozen) teething ring to chew on.

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, you should begin cleaning their teeth. Use a small soft toothbrush and a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm of fluoride until they turn three.

It’s also a good time to introduce your child to regular check-ups at the dentist. Early visits can help them get used to the sights and smells of the dentist from an early age. Your dentist can also give you advice on how to care for your child’s teeth.

Three to six years

By the time your little one is three years old, they should have all 20 of their baby teeth. These tiny teeth will stick around for the next few years. They help your child to eat, speak, and hold space for the adult teeth to grow into, so it’s important to keep them clean.

Around this age, start using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with 1,350 to 1,500ppm of fluoride. You can begin encouraging your child to learn how to clean their own teeth, but keep doing it with them until they’re at least seven.

6 to 14 years

When your child is around six years old, the first of their permanent adult teeth – the back molars – will begin to erupt. These are important for your child’s future tooth development. When they first come through, the enamel isn’t fully hardened yet, so molars need to be cleaned carefully. Sometimes, your dentist will put a protective coating (sealant) onto the biting surfaces to protect them.

Soon after, you’ll need to plan for a visit from the tooth fairy, as their baby teeth will start to wobble and fall out. This usually starts around the age of six to seven. The bottom front teeth are usually the first to go, followed by the top front teeth.

From here, your little one will continue to lose their baby teeth and grow permanent ones. By age 12 to 14, most children have 28 adult teeth. The final four wisdom teeth usually come in later.

Late teens and early twenties

During their late teens and early twenties, your child’s third molars – commonly known as wisdom teeth – may come through. These teeth typically erupt between the ages of 17 to 25, though not everyone develops them. If your child’s wisdom teeth do emerge, they’ll have a full set of 32 permanent adult teeth.