When should parents expect to see their children's teeth coming in?

People think of newborns as having no teeth, but by the time they are born, the 20 primary teeth are already present in the jaw. A baby's front four teeth usually erupt first, typically around six months of age although some children don't have their first tooth until 12 or 14 months. By age 3, most children will have a full set of 20 primary teeth.

As your child gets older, the 20 baby teeth will be replaced by 32 permanent teeth. The first permanent molars usually emerge between ages six and seven and are sometimes referred to as six-year molars. Typically, children have the majority of their permanent teeth by 12 to 14 years of age.

Your child might come out of the womb with a tooth or two, but do not be alarmed if yours is toothless. You will probably see the first tooth after about four to six months. Toddlers almost always have a few teeth by their first birthdays, and once they do, your child should visit the dentist to ensure everything is coming in well and being cared for properly. Most children's first sets of teeth come in completely before their third birthdays, but some children's come more slowly -- this is still entirely normal. Call your physician or dentist if you are concerned that your child's teeth are not coming in correctly or are coming in significantly slower than normal.