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Kids’ dentistry · Babies, toddlers & school-age children
Baby Teeth and Teething: When Teeth Come In and Fall Out
Most babies get their first teeth, usually the lower front teeth, at about 6–10 months, and have all 20 baby teeth by about age 3. Baby teeth start falling out around age 6, and most are gone by about 12. Every child varies. Dr. Ho-seon Lee at Yonsei Baro can check your child’s progress.
Baby teeth timeline at a glance
| Stage | Typical age (every child varies) |
|---|---|
| First teeth: lower front teeth (central incisors) | About 6–10 months |
| Upper front teeth | About 8–13 months |
| First baby molars | About 13–19 months |
| Canines (eye teeth) | About 16–23 months |
| Second baby molars | About 23–33 months |
| Full set of 20 baby teeth | By about age 3 |
| First permanent molars and lower front teeth | Around age 6 |
| Last baby teeth lost | By about age 12 |
Why do baby teeth matter if they fall out anyway?
Baby teeth (유치, yuchi ) do important work for many years; the back baby molars usually stay until about 10–12. They help your child chew a varied diet, form clear speech sounds, and smile with confidence. They also hold space in the jaw for the permanent teeth developing underneath.
A decayed baby tooth can cause pain and infection, just like an adult tooth. If one is lost early, neighbouring teeth can drift into the gap and leave too little room for the permanent tooth; in some cases a space maintainer is used to hold the space. That’s why we treat cavities in baby teeth rather than simply waiting for them to fall out.
What are the signs of teething?
Teething can start a few weeks before a tooth appears. Common signs include:
- extra drooling and chewing on fingers or toys;
- red, swollen or tender gums where the tooth is coming through;
- fussiness and some disturbed sleep for a few days.
Teething does not cause high fever, diarrhoea or a rash on the body (a mild drool rash on the chin is common). If your baby has these, or seems unwell, see a doctor rather than putting it down to teeth.
How can I soothe a teething baby?
- Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger.
- Offer a firm rubber teething ring, chilled in the fridge (not frozen).
- Let your baby chew on a clean, cold, damp washcloth.
- Wipe away drool often to prevent a rash on the chin.
- If your baby seems in pain, ask a doctor or pharmacist about pain relief suitable for their age and weight, and follow their directions.
What to avoid
- Teething gels that contain numbing medicines such as benzocaine are not recommended for babies and young children.
- Amber or other teething necklaces and bracelets carry a choking and strangulation risk.
- Hard foods given as teethers, such as raw carrot, can break off and cause choking.
How do I care for baby teeth from the first tooth?
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears: twice a day with a soft, small toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Our cavity prevention guide covers toothpaste amounts by age, snacks and drinks.
Book your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. It is a short, gentle visit to check development and answer your questions.
When do baby teeth fall out?
Baby teeth usually fall out in roughly the order they came in, starting with the lower front teeth around age 6. Around the same time, the first permanent molars erupt behind the last baby teeth, without any tooth falling out first, so parents often miss them. These new molars are prone to decay, and dental sealants can help protect them.
It is common to see a lower permanent front tooth appear behind a baby tooth that hasn’t fallen out yet. Often the baby tooth loosens on its own within a few weeks; if it doesn’t, the dentist can check it. Gaps between new front teeth are also often a normal stage; see gaps between teeth .
When should I ask a dentist?
- no teeth by around 18 months;
- a baby tooth becoming loose much earlier than expected, without an injury;
- a permanent tooth coming through while the baby tooth stays firm for a couple of months;
- a large difference between the left and right sides;
- a tooth that is discoloured, chipped or painful (see dental injuries ).
An orthodontic check is also recommended by about age 7; see when should my child see an orthodontist .
Let us know when you book that you’d like English support — Dr. Sally Chaekyung Lee and our team can help explain your child’s care in English.
Baby teeth and teething FAQs
My baby is 12 months old and has no teeth yet. Should I worry?
Usually not. The timing of the first tooth varies widely, and some healthy babies have no teeth until after their first birthday. Many dentists suggest a check if there are still no teeth by around 18 months. Your child’s first dental visit, by the first birthday, is a good time to ask and to have the gums and jaw examined.
Does teething cause fever or diarrhoea?
Teething can make babies fussy, drooly and a little unsettled, but it does not cause high fever, diarrhoea or a rash on the body. If your baby has any of these symptoms, or seems unwell, contact a doctor. Putting illness down to teething can delay care that your baby may need.
In what order do baby teeth fall out?
Usually in roughly the order they came in. The lower front teeth often go first, around age 6, followed by the upper front teeth. The canines and baby molars typically follow between about 9 and 12. Every child is different, and girls often lose teeth a little earlier than boys.
My child's adult teeth are coming in behind the baby teeth. Is that normal?
Yes, it is common, especially with the lower front teeth, and is sometimes called “shark teeth”. The baby tooth often loosens and falls out on its own within a few weeks, and the tongue gradually guides the new tooth forward. If the baby tooth is still firm after a couple of months, the dentist may recommend removing it.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ho-seon Lee
Board-certified pediatric dentist (Korea Ministry of Health and Welfare) · Director of Pediatric Dentistry · Last updated October 2026
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Every child is different; your child's dentist will recommend care after an examination. In an emergency involving breathing, heavy bleeding, a head injury or facial swelling spreading toward the eye or neck, call 119.
Questions about your child’s teeth?
Book a check-up and we will look at how your child’s teeth are developing. Isu Station Exit 2, Seoul · Contact us for pediatric dentistry appointment times.