Stages of Tooth Eruption in Children

That first tiny tooth appearing in your child’s smile is more than a cute milestone. It is the beginning of a carefully timed and fascinating process known as the stages of tooth eruption in children. Understanding how and when baby teeth and permanent teeth emerge helps parents identify normal development, plan timely dental checkups and address any early concerns.  

If you want clarity on the full eruption timeline and what each stage means for your child’s oral health, this guide will walk you through every essential detail. Dive into the sections below to explore the complete eruption journey and learn how the Radiant dental care can support your child at every stage.

Understanding Tooth Eruption in Children and Why It Matters

Tooth​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ eruption actually refers to the process whereby teeth make their way out of the gums and into the mouth and become visible. Besides, it helps the child to chew, develop speech, grow the jaw and eventually, it makes the way for the permanent teeth. In general, the order of eruption is quite predictable even though each child has different timing.

It is important to monitor the stages of tooth eruption in children as it helps to recognize early or delayed teething, deal with teething pain, follow the spacing and crowding, schedule dental appointments and start oral hygiene practices at the right time. For this reason, some parents take the best dental hospital in Chennai and the best dentist in Chennai as their guides during these years of growth. 

The dentition of children is divided into two sets. Primary or baby teeth are 20 deciduous teeth appearing between 6 months and 3 years and serving as holders for permanent teeth. The permanent set has 32 teeth that start to come out at around 6 years and go on to the teenage years, thus, supporting the long-term chewing function and jaw ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌alignment.

Stages of Tooth Eruption in Children: Complete Timeline

Understanding the stages of tooth eruption in children, how and when your child’s teeth erupt can help you track their oral development, manage teething symptoms and know when a dental consultation may be needed. Below is a clear, parent-friendly timeline of tooth eruption from infancy through early childhood.

Stage 1: First Tooth Eruption (6–10 Months)

This marks the beginning of your child’s eruption journey.

What Happens:

The lower central incisors usually appear first.

Common Symptoms:

• Mild irritability
• Drooling
• Gum swelling
• Increased biting or chewing

Care Tips:

• Offer chilled teethers
• Gently massage gums
• Clean gums with a soft cloth daily

Stage 2: Upper and Lower Incisors (8-13 Months)

Teeth Appearing:

• Upper central incisors
• Upper lateral incisors
• Lower lateral incisors

What to Expect:

• More chewing activity
• Visible alignment patterns beginning
• Continued drooling

Hygiene Tips:

• Introduce a baby toothbrush
• Use fluoride-free toothpaste if recommended

Stage 3: First Molars (13-19 Months)

Molars help children chew a wider variety of foods.

Signs:

• Gum pressure discomfort
• Occasional sleep disturbance
• Temporary changes in appetite

Care Tips:

• Use chilled spoons for relief
• Offer soft, nutritious meals

Stage 4: Canines (16-23 Months)

Highlights:

• Help with tearing food
• May cause gum sensitivity

Care Tips:

• Comfort your child during discomfort
• Continue twice-daily brushing

Stage 5: Second Molars (23-33 Months)

Key Developments: 

• The primary set of 20 teeth completes
• Chewing becomes more efficient    
• Jaw growth becomes more noticeable

What Parents Should Watch For: 

• Clean the hard-to-reach back teeth thoroughly
• Look for early cavity signs

Complete Primary Teeth Set: Around Age 3

By age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth.

What This Means for Parents: 

• Regular dental checkups become essential
• Alignment and spacing should be monitored
• Eating and speech gradually improve

If you’re looking for reliable pediatric consultations, visiting the best dentist in Chennai can help ensure your child’s oral growth is monitored professionally.

Shedding of Baby Teeth: 6–12 Years

This is the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth.

What Happens: 

• Baby teeth loosen and fall out
• Permanent teeth erupt in a similar sequence to baby teeth

Common Signs:

• Mild gum discomfort
• Wiggly or shifting teeth
• Temporary gaps

Care Tips: 

• Encourage gentle wiggling
• Avoid pulling teeth early
• Maintain brushing and flossing habits

Common Concerns During Tooth Eruption

Parents may notice challenges during different stages. Here are the most frequent ones:

• Delayed Tooth Eruption: If no teeth appear by 15 months, consult a pediatric dentist.
• Early Eruption: Usually harmless but should be monitored if feeding becomes difficult.
• Teething Fever Myth: Teething does not cause high fever. Persistent fever requires medical attention.
• Crooked or Overlapping Teeth: Common during transitions. Teeth often self-correct as more erupt.
• Cavities in Baby Teeth: Baby teeth are prone to decay, which may impact permanent teeth.

Regular visits to a trusted pediatric dental clinic such as Radiant Dental Care can help detect and prevent early issues.

Importance of Regular and Immediate Dental Visits

Routine dental checkups play a key role in spotting bite problems, early tooth decay, eruption delays, and spacing or alignment issues. Many parents choose the best dental hospital in Chennai for reliable monitoring and a comfortable, child-friendly experience. However, immediate dental care is necessary if you notice persistent tooth pain, gum swelling, mouth or jaw injury, unusual tooth discoloration, or a baby tooth not falling out while the permanent tooth begins to erupt. Early attention to these concerns helps prevent long-term dental complications.

Ensure a Smooth Dental Growth Journey with Radiant Dental Care!

At​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Radiant Dental Care, we know that the tooth development of your child in each different stage is very significant. Our highly skilled pediatric dental team keeps a close eye on the eruption patterns, pinpoints issues at the earliest stage, and offers you the customized advice for supporting healthy oral growth.

We have a child-loving environment and state-of-the-art diagnostic instruments, and thus, dental visits are without worry both for the parents and the children. If it is just the case of teething discomfort, or the correction of the alignment issue, or even the establishment of the hygiene habit, we are there to provide to your child, a gentle, trustworthy and professional care.

Radiant Dental Care is there for you and your child and you can be absolutely sure that your little one’s smile will be growing bright, healthy and nicely aligned for the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌future.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1.​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ When does the first tooth usually appear in children?

Ans. The first tooth is typically obtained by the lower front incisor of a baby around the age of 6-10 months. Nonetheless, a few children may erupt earlier or later and still be considered normal.

2. How long do baby teeth come in?

Ans. The primary (baby) dentition of 20 teeth usually will have the complete eruption of the teeth by the age of 2.5 to 3 years. Parents during this time are supposed to monitor the pattern of teething, the condition of the gums and the spaces that ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌occur.

3. What signs indicate that my child is teething?

Ans. The most typical symptoms are drooling, gum swelling, irritability, chewing on something and a little change in eating or sleeping. The signs are quite usual and most of the time they are of a short duration.

4. When do permanent teeth start replacing baby teeth?

Ans. After 6 years of age, the first permanent molars and front incisors are the ones that are followed by the rest of the permanent teeth to replace the baby teeth. This change stays until early teens.