Your baby's first tooth is a big moment. It's also the start of a long journey. Most children have all 20 milk teeth by the time they're 2 to 3 years old, and every baby does it at their own pace. Here's the rough order, and what to do as each one appears.
The teeth timeline
Every baby is different, so treat these as a rough guide. The NHS says teeth usually come through in this order:
- Around 6 months: central incisors. The two front teeth, usually the bottom ones first.
- Around 8 months: lateral incisors. The teeth either side of the front ones.
- Around 12 months: first molars. The first back teeth, which can be the most uncomfortable.
- Around 18 months: canines. The pointed teeth between the incisors and the molars.
- Around 24 months: second molars. The big back teeth, and usually the last to arrive.
Bottom teeth often come through before the matching top ones. Some babies get their first tooth before 4 months, and some not until after their first birthday. Both are normal. If you're worried that teeth are very late, mention it to your health visitor or dentist.
Early, late or right on schedule, there's no prize for the first tooth. They all get there.
Looking after the first teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a baby toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. The NHS advises a tiny smear for children up to 3, then a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6.
Twice a day, including just before bed. Brushing last thing at night is the most important one, after the last feed or drink.
Spit, don't rinse. Encourage them to spit out the toothpaste but not rinse with water, as rinsing washes away the fluoride.
Keep helping. Children usually need help brushing until they're at least 7.
If brushing is a battle, try making it a game, singing a song or letting them "brush" your teeth first. Our guide to making teeth brushing fun has lots more ideas.
Drinks, bottles and sugar
- Milk and water are best. Plain milk and water are the best drinks for young children's teeth.
- Bottles are for milk or water only. Don't put juice or sugary drinks in a bottle.
- Try a free-flowing cup from 6 months. A non-valved cup is better for teeth than a bottle or a spouted beaker.
- Night feeds. At bedtime and through the night, stick to breast milk, formula or cooled boiled water.
- Juice at mealtimes only. If you give it, dilute it (1 part juice to 10 parts water), and no more than 150ml a day.
- No sweet dummies. Never dip a dummy in anything sweet, and no honey before 1.
Their first dentist visit
Register your baby with a dentist when their teeth start coming through. NHS dental treatment is free for children, though not every dentist is taking on new NHS patients, so use the NHS find a dentist service. Taking your baby along to your own check-ups is a great way to get them used to the chair, the lights and the friendly faces.
When do babies get their first tooth?
Usually around 6 months, but anywhere from before 4 months to after 12 months is normal.
In what order do baby teeth come through?
Usually the front incisors first, then the teeth either side, the first molars, the canines and finally the second molars at around 2 years.
How much toothpaste should I use for my baby?
A tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste for children up to 3, and a pea-sized amount from 3 to 6.
When should my baby first see a dentist?
Register with a dentist when their first teeth come through. NHS dental treatment is free for children.
Keep reading
- Is it teething or is my baby ill? The signs that are (and aren't) teeth
- How to cope with teething at every stage, and ease baby into early teeth brushing
- How to make teeth brushing fun for babies and toddlers
- Out of this world weaning
This article is general information, not medical or dental advice. If you have any worries about your child's teeth, speak to your dentist or health visitor. See the NHS guide to looking after your baby's teeth.
If you’re trying to conceive (TTC), you probably know that there are certain foods and nutrients that become especially important once you’re pregnant. But nutrition plays a vital role even when trying to conceive, much like laying a strong foundation before constructing a house.
Certain nutrients create that foundation by supporting egg and sperm health (yes, nutrition matters for both partners), hormone balance and creating a hospitable environment for a fertilized egg to implant. In fact, studies show that certain nutrients can help increase fertility and improve success rates for both natural conception and fertility treatments.
In other words, nutrition is a key player in the TTC journey, but getting the right nutrients in the right quantities can be tricky. That’s where supplements come in. Just as you’d take a multivitamin to fill in nutritional gaps for optimal health, fertility supplements can give you that extra nutrient boost.
Choosing supplements for your fertility journey
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
When choosing a supplement to support your fertility journey, look for science-backed, high-quality ingredients. Our editors are careful to select and partner with brands that use ingredients that have been clinically studied to support fertility. Eu Natural® (pronounced you) covers all those bases and more. We love knowing that Eu Natural® products contain zero artificial additives, binders, or fillers and are lab-tested to ensure purity and potency.
