Baby Teeth — A Parent’s Guide

Baby teeth do a lot of work in a relatively short time. They help your child eat, speak, and smile, and they hold space for the adult teeth coming through underneath. At Sandgate Family Dental we are happy to answer questions about baby teeth at any check-up — when teeth should arrive, when to start brushing, and what to do when things look unusual.

If you have a specific question or would like a calm look at your child’s teeth, you can book online.

When baby teeth come through

Most babies start cutting their first tooth between 6 and 12 months, usually one of the lower front teeth. There is a wide normal range — some babies have a tooth at four months, others not until well past their first birthday. As a rough guide:

6 to 10 months — lower central incisors (the bottom two front teeth)
8 to 12 months — upper central incisors
9 to 13 months — upper lateral incisors
10 to 16 months — lower lateral incisors
13 to 19 months — first molars (top and bottom)
16 to 23 months — canines
23 to 33 months — second molars

By age three, most children have all 20 baby teeth. The order in which teeth arrive can vary; what matters more is that they are coming through over time.

When baby teeth fall out

The first baby tooth usually becomes wobbly around age six, often in the same order the teeth came in. Most children lose all their baby teeth by age twelve, with adult premolars and second molars following on through to age thirteen. Late losers are common and not usually a concern.

Why baby teeth matter

Baby teeth are not “just temporary”. They:

Help your child chew a wider range of foods
Support speech development as sounds form against the teeth
Hold space for the adult teeth that follow
Guide the adult teeth into the right positions
Help your child smile and feel comfortable with their appearance

Losing a baby tooth too early — through decay, infection, or injury — can mean the adult tooth comes through in a less-than-ideal position. Filling a decayed baby tooth, where appropriate, is often the right decision for this reason. Our children’s fillings page explains more.

Teething — what is normal

Teething bothers some babies and barely affects others. Common signs:

Drooling more than usual
Wanting to chew on things — fingers, toys, the cot rail
Mild fussiness or unsettled sleep around the time of a tooth coming through
Slightly red gum over the emerging tooth
Mild changes in appetite

What teething usually does not cause: high fevers, rashes outside the face, persistent vomiting, or diarrhoea. If your baby is unwell with those signs, it is worth checking in with your GP for a separate cause.

Comfort options include a clean, refrigerated (not frozen) teething ring, a wet cloth to gently rub the gum, and weight-appropriate doses of paracetamol or ibuprofen. We don’t recommend teething gels containing benzocaine for babies.

Home care from the first tooth

The moment the first tooth comes through, gentle brushing starts.

Under 18 months — wipe teeth with a soft cloth or use a small soft toothbrush with water only
18 months to 6 years — brush twice a day with a smear of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste (or pea-sized amount of standard toothpaste from age six)
Encourage spitting, not rinsing after brushing so a small amount of fluoride stays on the teeth
Floss between any teeth that touch each other — usually from around age 3 to 4
Brush before bed and avoid food or drink (other than water) afterwards

Until age 7 or 8, most children can’t brush thoroughly on their own. Letting them have a go first, then “checking” with a second proper brushing, is a good middle ground.

Drinks, snacks, and tooth health

Frequency matters as much as quantity for tooth health. A few practical pointers:

Water and plain milk are the safest drinks between meals
Avoid bottles of milk, juice, or formula in bed once teeth are present
Limit juice, cordial, soft drink, and sports drinks — these are best with meals, in a small cup
Plain yoghurt, cheese, vegetables, and fresh fruit are tooth-friendly snacks
Try to keep snacking to set times rather than grazing all day

Common questions about how baby teeth look

A few things parents often notice:

Gaps between front teeth

Gaps in baby teeth are good news — they leave room for the bigger adult teeth that follow.

Crowded or twisted front teeth

Quite common and rarely a long-term concern. The adult teeth do not necessarily follow the same pattern.

Yellow or grey colour

A slight yellowish tint is normal — baby teeth tend to look whiter than adult teeth, but minor colour variation is fine. A dark grey tooth after a knock can mean nerve damage and is worth a check.

White or brown spots

White chalky spots near the gum line can be very early decay. Brown spots or visible holes need a check. Both can be addressed early if seen at a routine check-up.

A wobbly baby tooth from a knock

If your child has had a knock to a baby tooth, see our children’s dental emergency page and book to be seen.

Who this page is for

Parents of babies just starting to teethe
Families wondering whether their child’s teeth are coming through “on time”
Parents looking for plain-English guidance on brushing and diet
Carers noticing a colour change, hole, or unusual tooth shape

CDBS and payment

We are HICAPS providers and can claim your eligible rebate at the practice on the day. Many children are eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), which we bulk-bill at Sandgate — see CDBS bulk-billed for what is included.

Baby teeth FAQs

When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?

From the moment the first tooth appears. Use a soft cloth or a small soft toothbrush with water, twice a day.

When can I start using toothpaste?

A smear of low-fluoride children’s toothpaste is appropriate from around 18 months. From age six, most children move to a pea-sized amount of standard toothpaste.

My child’s teeth came late. Is that a problem?

Almost always no. There is a wide normal range. If a tooth is more than a few months past the usual time, mention it at the next check-up.

One of my baby’s teeth is grey. What does that mean?

If your baby has had a knock, the tooth may have been bruised internally. We can check whether it needs ongoing monitoring.

My child’s adult tooth is coming through behind the baby tooth. Should I worry?

Sometimes called “shark teeth”, this is common and usually resolves on its own as the baby tooth becomes wobbly. If the baby tooth is not loose after a few weeks, book a visit.

Do baby teeth need fillings?

Often yes — see our children’s fillings page. Treating decay early prevents pain, infection, and early loss.

When should we book the first dental visit?

Around 12 months, or within six months of the first tooth. See our first dental visit page.

Related information

Book a baby-teeth check

If you would like us to take a look at your child’s teeth — or just have a question that has been on your mind — we are happy to help. Book online or phone the practice during business hours.