Tooth Letter C: Upper Right Baby Canine (FDI 53)

When does tooth C come in and fall out?

The upper baby canines usually come in at 16–22 months and fall out at 10–12 years (ADA). The AAPD chart gives 16–20 months to come in and 11–12 years to fall out.

In the ADA chart, they usually come in after the lower baby first molars (14–18 months) and before the lower baby canines (17–23 months), and they are among the last to fall out, along with the upper baby second molars and the lower baby second molars.

Tooth C is replaced by tooth 6, the upper right canine, which usually comes in at 11–12 years (ADA). Under the gum, tooth C starts to harden in the 4th month of pregnancy and is fully formed by about 30–39 months (AAPD).

When tooth C won't fall out

A baby canine that hangs on long after the one on the other side has fallen out can be a sign that the adult canine above it is off course. Dentists check with X-rays.

That adult canine (tooth 6) is the tooth most often stuck in the jaw after wisdom teeth, in about 1% to 3% of people, and girls are 2 to 3 times more likely to have it.

Other warning signs include no canine bump to feel above the baby tooth and peg-shaped lateral incisors.

The same tooth on the left side, tooth H, has its own section on removing it early to help a stuck adult canine.

Where is tooth C?

Tooth C is in your child's upper jaw on their right side. It is the third tooth from the middle: start at the gap between the two top front teeth and count 3 teeth toward the back on their right side.

"Left" and "right" always mean the child's own sides, so when you face your child, tooth C is on your left.

In front of it (toward the middle) is tooth D, the upper right baby lateral incisor. Behind it is tooth B, the upper right baby first molar.

Its mirror twin on the left side is tooth H. The tooth in the same spot in the lower jaw is tooth R, the lower right baby canine.

Dental charts show the patient's right side on the left, so tooth C sits on the left half of the top row. Baby teeth use letters in the same path as adult numbers: upper right teeth run from A (the back molar) to E (the front tooth).

What does the upper baby canine do?

Baby canines are pointed teeth that help tear food. They keep room for the adult canines, which are among the last adult teeth to arrive. Baby teeth matter even though they fall out: children need them to chew, speak and smile, and they help the adult teeth come in correctly.

How many roots does tooth C have?

One long root for a baby tooth.

Common problems with upper baby canines

Cavities. The AAPD advises repairing decayed baby teeth when possible, rebuilding each tooth to its original shape so it keeps its place until the adult tooth is ready.
Losing it early. If a baby tooth is lost early to decay or injury, nearby teeth can drift into the room the adult tooth needs. Dentists sometimes fit a space maintainer, though the AAPD notes the evidence on how well they prevent crowding is limited.

If a baby tooth is knocked loose or out in a fall, or your child has swelling, fever or pain, call your dentist. Never put a knocked-out baby tooth back in (Knocked-Out Tooth Rescue explains why). Swelling that makes it hard to breathe or swallow is an emergency: call 911. These are typical problems for this kind of tooth, not a diagnosis.

Tooth C in FDI and Palmer notation

System	Tooth C is written	What it means
Universal (ADA, used in the US)	C	Baby teeth are lettered A–T around the mouth, starting at the upper right back molar.
FDI / ISO 3950 (international)	53	First digit 5 = upper right quarter (baby teeth use 5–8); second digit 3 = third baby tooth from the middle. Said "five-three".
Palmer	C┘ (often typed URC)	The ┘ bracket marks the upper right quarter; C = third baby tooth from the middle.

A handy match. C is a baby canine in both systems: Universal C is the upper right baby canine, and a Palmer C is always a baby canine. Just add the bracket (C┘) to say which one.

FDI baby teeth start with 5 to 8. The first digit 5 marks the upper right baby quarter, so FDI 53 can't be mixed up with an adult tooth.

Letters and numbers don't line up. C is letter 3 of the alphabet, but baby tooth C is replaced by adult tooth 6, not tooth 3.

All baby teeth in the upper right quarter

From the front of the mouth to the back:

Universal	FDI	Palmer	Tooth
E	51	A┘ (URA)	Baby central incisor
D	52	B┘ (URB)	Baby lateral incisor
C	53	C┘ (URC)	Baby canine (this tooth)
B	54	D┘ (URD)	Baby first molar
A	55	E┘ (URE)	Baby second molar

The Tooth Number Chart & Converter converts any tooth between the three systems.

Tools for tooth C

Teething Calculator: which baby teeth are due at your baby's age.
Baby Teeth Tracker: log each tooth in and out.
Kids Fluoride Calculator: how much toothpaste to use; the ADA says a rice-grain smear until age 3, then a pea-size amount.
Tooth Fairy Calculator: what families give for a lost tooth.
Dental Treatment Plan Decoder: plain English for treatment-plan shorthand like "#30 MOD comp".

Frequently asked questions

What tooth is letter C?

Tooth C is the upper right baby canine in the Universal system used in the US. It is 53 in FDI notation and C┘ (URC) in Palmer notation.

When does tooth C come in?

Usually at 16–22 months (ADA) or 16–20 months (AAPD). The AAPD notes that many healthy babies don't follow the schedule exactly.

When does tooth C fall out?

Usually at 10–12 years (ADA) or 11–12 years (AAPD). Adult tooth 6, the upper right canine, takes its place.

Why is tooth C still in when the other side fell out?