There is a big variation of normal in the timing of tooth eruption but generally the first primary tooth will erupt in the lower incisor region by 7 months. Rarely we can see teeth present at birth or shortly afterwards called natal or neonatal teeth. These teeth can be left in situ unless these are very loose (an airway risk) or causing ulceration under the tongue (affecting feeding).
A baby’s lower front teeth will usually erupt first, followed by the upper front teeth, in pairs. By approximately 3 years old children will have 20 primary teeth – 10 on the maxilla & 10 on the lower. Dentists tend to be more concerned about teeth that erupt out of sequence, or are missing their partner, than teeth that are slow to come through. Figure 1 shows the eruption & shedding time guides.
