When does tooth H 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 H is replaced by tooth 11, the upper left canine, which usually comes in at 11–12 years (ADA). Under the gum, tooth H starts to harden in the 4th month of pregnancy and is fully formed by about 30–39 months (AAPD).
Removing tooth H to help the adult canine
If the adult canine (tooth 11) can't be felt as a bump above this tooth during the mixed-teeth years, and an X-ray shows it overlapping the lateral incisor's root, the AAPD says removing the baby canine is indicated.
In studies, that helped the adult canine come in on its own in 67% to 69% of cases, compared with 39% to 42% when the baby canine was left. Found later, at 11 to 16 years, removing the baby canine still let about 75% come in, as long as the adult canine wasn't lying flat.
The same tooth on the right side, tooth C, has its own section on a baby canine that stays too long.
Where is tooth H?
Tooth H is in your child's upper jaw on their left 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 left side.
"Left" and "right" always mean the child's own sides, so when you face your child, tooth H is on your right.
In front of it (toward the middle) is tooth G, the upper left baby lateral incisor. Behind it is tooth I, the upper left baby first molar.
Its mirror twin on the right side is tooth C. The tooth in the same spot in the lower jaw is tooth M, the lower left baby canine.
Dental charts show the patient's right side on the left, so tooth H sits on the right half of the top row. The letters continue across the top: upper left teeth run from F (the front tooth) to J (the back molar).
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 H 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 H in FDI and Palmer notation
| System | Tooth H is written | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Universal (ADA, used in the US) | H | Baby teeth are lettered A–T around the mouth, starting at the upper right back molar. |
| FDI / ISO 3950 (international) | 63 | First digit 6 = upper left quarter (baby teeth use 5–8); second digit 3 = third baby tooth from the middle. Said "six-three". |
| Palmer | └C (often typed ULC) | The └ bracket marks the upper left quarter; C = third baby tooth from the middle. |
Palmer stops at E. Palmer letters only run from A to E in each quarter, so an "H" can only be a Universal letter.
FDI baby teeth start with 5 to 8. The first digit 6 marks the upper left baby quarter, so FDI 63 can't be mixed up with an adult tooth.
Letters and numbers don't line up. H is letter 8 of the alphabet, but baby tooth H is replaced by adult tooth 11, not tooth 8.
All baby teeth in the upper left quarter
From the front of the mouth to the back:
| Universal | FDI | Palmer | Tooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 61 | └A (ULA) | Baby central incisor |
| G | 62 | └B (ULB) | Baby lateral incisor |
| H | 63 | └C (ULC) | Baby canine (this tooth) |
| I | 64 | └D (ULD) | Baby first molar |
| J | 65 | └E (ULE) | Baby second molar |
The Tooth Number Chart & Converter converts any tooth between the three systems.
Tools for tooth H
- 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 H?
When does tooth H come in?
When does tooth H fall out?
Why would a dentist remove tooth H early?
Sources
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Permanent Tooth Development (eruption chart). 2012. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Primary Tooth Development (eruption chart). 2012. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dental Growth and Development (chronology after Logan & Kronfeld 1933, adapted 2003). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Management of the Developing Dentition and Occlusion in Pediatric Dentistry (Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry). latest revision 2024. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- World Health Organization. Oral health surveys: basic methods, 5th edition (tooth notation after ISO 3950). 2013. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Nelson SJ. Elsevier. Wheeler's Dental Anatomy, Physiology and Occlusion, 11th edition. 2019.
- American Dental Association. ADA Dental Claim Form (tooth designation systems). Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Dentalcare.com (continuing education course CE500). An Overview of Dental Anatomy: Types of Teeth and their Functions. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Tooth Decay with Baby Bottles. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Last reviewed by the Dental Health Time editorial team, against the sources above. How we review.