Your child's teeth at a glance
Children's teeth follow a long, fairly predictable path. Here are the main milestones, with the tool that helps at each stage.
| Age | What usually happens | Tool |
|---|---|---|
| About 6 months | First baby teeth start to come in, usually the lower front teeth (ADA) | Teething Calculator |
| First tooth to age 1 | First dental visit: when the first tooth comes in, and no later than the first birthday (AAPD) | Teething Calculator |
| First tooth to age 3 | Brush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice | Kids Fluoride Calculator |
| About age 3 | Most of the 20 baby teeth are in (ADA); switch to a pea-size amount of toothpaste | Baby Teeth Tracker |
| 6 to 7 years | First baby teeth fall out; the "6-year molars" come in behind the baby teeth (ADA) | Adult Teeth Predictor |
| Around 6 and 12 | Ask about sealants on the new adult molars (CDC) | Adult Teeth Predictor |
| By age 7 | First orthodontic check-up (American Association of Orthodontists) | Adult Teeth Predictor |
| About 10 to 12 | The last baby teeth, canines and back molars, fall out (ADA) | Tooth Fairy Calculator |
| 11 to 13 years | The "12-year molars" come in (ADA) | Adult Teeth Predictor |
| 17 to 21 years | Wisdom teeth usually come in; all 32 adult teeth are usually in by 21 (ADA) | Adult Teeth Predictor |
These are typical ranges from the American Dental Association (ADA) chart. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) publishes a slightly different chart, and our tools let you switch between the two. Many healthy children run a few months ahead or behind. The Tooth Eruption Chart shows every tooth by age, and each baby tooth, A to T, has its own page.
Which tool do I need?
- "When will my baby get teeth?" The Teething Calculator shows which teeth are usually in at your baby's age and which come next, with dates.
- "I want to remember when each tooth came in." The Baby Teeth Tracker logs every tooth in and out, for one child or several, and prints a keepsake chart.
- "When will my child lose teeth?" The Adult Teeth Predictor gives a year-by-year timeline to age 21, plus reminders for sealants, the orthodontic check and wisdom teeth.
- "How much does the Tooth Fairy leave?" The Tooth Fairy Calculator uses the latest Delta Dental poll ($5.84 a tooth on average in the poll released in February 2026) and makes a printable certificate.
- "How much toothpaste? Does my child need fluoride drops?" The Kids Fluoride Calculator shows the amount at true size and the published supplement schedule, with the FDA's 2025 statement beside it.
- "Brushing is a battle every night." The Kids Brushing Timer turns two minutes into four zones with a cheering molar, streaks and stickers.
One place for all your children
Add a child once, with a nickname and birth date, and every kids' tool can use it: the Teething Calculator, the tracker, the timeline, the Tooth Fairy log and the brushing streaks. Everything is saved only in your browser, in My Smile. There's no account, no email and no server. Share links never include names or birth dates.
How we build these tools
Every age range, amount and recommendation on these pages comes from a named source: the ADA, the AAPD, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the CDC, the FDA, the American Association of Orthodontists and, for the Tooth Fairy, the Delta Dental Original Tooth Fairy Poll®. Each tool lists its sources and the date we checked them. Where sources disagree, like the ADA and AAPD eruption charts or the CDC's toothpaste advice, we show the difference instead of hiding it.
These tools are for education and planning. They can't examine your child's teeth. Your child's dentist or pediatrician is the right person for any worry.
Frequently asked questions
When should my child first see a dentist?
How many teeth do kids have?
How much toothpaste should a toddler use?
Do I need an account to save my child's information?
My child knocked out a baby tooth. What do I do?
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Eruption Charts. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Primary Tooth Development (eruption chart). 2012. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Permanent Tooth Development (eruption chart). 2012. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Baby Teeth. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Periodicity of Examination, Preventive Dental Services, Anticipatory Guidance/Counseling, and Oral Treatment for Infants, Children, and Adolescents. latest revision 2022. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association. Fluoride: Topical and Systemic Supplements (Oral Health Topics). updated June 14, 2023. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association. Toothbrushes (Oral Health Topics). updated August 2026. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Association of Orthodontists. Orthodontics for Children: Developing a Healthy Smile. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Dental Sealants. May 15, 2024. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Delta Dental of Virginia (national Delta Dental release). The Tooth Fairy gives kids a raise. February 25, 2026. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- NHS. Knocked-out tooth. reviewed February 6, 2025. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Last reviewed by the Dental Health Time editorial team, against the sources above. How we review.