What age do back molars come in

When it comes to teething, all babies are different. But your baby will probably get their first tooth some time during their first year.

Find out how to spot when your baby is teething and what order your baby's teeth are likely to appear in.

When do babies start teething?

Some babies are born with their first teeth. Others start teething before they are 4 months old, and some after 12 months. But most babies start teething at around 6 months.

Teething symptoms

Baby teeth sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort at all.

At other times, you may notice:

  • their gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through
  • they have a mild temperature of less than 38C
  • they have 1 flushed cheek
  • they have a rash on their face
  • they're rubbing their ear
  • they're dribbling more than usual
  • they're gnawing and chewing on things a lot
  • they're more fretful than usual
  • they're not sleeping very well

Read tips on how to help your teething baby.

Some people think that teething causes other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, but there's no evidence to support this.

You know your baby best. Get medical advice if they have any symptoms that are causing you concern. You can call NHS 111 or contact a GP.

Read more about spotting the signs of serious illness in babies and toddlers.

What order do baby teeth appear in?

Here's a rough guide to how babies' teeth usually emerge:

  • bottom incisors (bottom front teeth) – these are usually the first to come through, usually at around 5 to 7 months
  • top incisors (top front teeth) – these tend to come through at about 6 to 8 months
  • top lateral incisors (either side of the top front teeth) – these come through at around 9 to 11 months
  • bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) – these come through at around 10 to 12 months
  • first molars (back teeth) – these come through at around 12 to 16 months
  • canines (between the lateral incisors and the first molars) – these come through at around 16 to 20 months
  • second molars – these come through at around 20 to 30 months

Most children will have all of their milk teeth by the time they are between 2 and 3 years old.

Page last reviewed: 9 August 2022
Next review due: 9 August 2025

Humans have two pairs of teeth during their lifetime, primary (milk teeth) and permanent (adult) teeth. Primary teeth are 20 in number, 10 in each jaw, respectively. Whereas, there are 32 permanent teeth that replace all the primary teeth, sequentially.

In general, the eruption of permanent teeth occurs at a specific age. However, genetics and other factors play a crucial role in determining the shedding time of primary teeth and their subsequent replacement by the permanent teeth.

By the age of 12 to 13 years old, almost all children have lost all their baby teeth. Majority of children have a set of 28 permanent teeth by 13 years of age. This set of teeth comprises four central incisors, eight premolars, four lateral incisors, four canines, and eight molars. The last teeth are known as wisdom or third molar teeth, which may or may not erupt. Generally, wisdom teeth erupt around 17 to 21 years of age.

Eruption Pattern of Adult Teeth

Below is a list of ideal eruption pattern of the permanent teeth.

Upper Jaw Permanent Teeth Eruption Sequence

  • Central incisor - Eruption time at 7 to 8 years
  • Lateral incisor - Eruption time at 8 to 9 years
  • Canine (cuspid) - Eruption time at 11 to 12 years
  • First premolar (first bicuspid) - Eruption time at 10 to 11 years
  • Second premolar (second bicuspid) - Eruption time at 10 to 12 years
  • First molar - Eruption time at 6 to 7 years
  • Second molar - Eruption time at 12 to 13 years
  • Third molar (wisdom teeth) - Eruption time at 17 to 21 years

Lower Jaw Permanent Teeth Eruption Sequence

  • Third molar (wisdom tooth) - Eruption time at 17 to 21 years
  • Second molar - Eruption time at 11 to 13 years
  • First molar - Eruption time at 6 to 7 years
  • Second premolar (second bicuspid) - Eruption time at 11 to 12 years
  • First premolar (first bicuspid) - Eruption time at 10 to 12 years
  • Canine (cuspid) - Eruption time at 9 to 10 years
  • Lateral incisor - Eruption time at 7 to 8 years
  • Central incisor - Eruption time at 6 to 7 years

What age do back molars come in

Adult dental chart. Diagram of human teeth numbering and names. Image Credit: EgudinKa / Shutterstock

Mixed Dentition Period

Permanent teeth start appearing soon after the primary teeth begin to fall. However, there is a period when both primary and permanent teeth exist collectively in the oral cavity. This period is referred to as the mixed dentition period. Broadly mixed dentition period is divided into three phases:

First Molar Eruption

Permanent molars are the first set of permanent teeth which appear around 6 to 7 years of age and hence they are commonly referred to as “six-year molars”. As an exception, they do not replace any primary teeth and erupt at the back of upper and lower jaws. Six-year molars play a significant role in giving a proper contour to the lower jaw, hence, proper care should be given to these freshly erupted molars. Often, they are misinterpreted as primary teeth and if neglected, can lead to early decay and loss.
However, not all children will have permanent molars as their first permanent teeth. In some children, lower central incisor is the first teeth to erupt.

Replacement of Incisor Teeth

Soon after the eruption of molar teeth, permanent incisors start replacing the primary incisors. Lower central incisors are the first set of permanent teeth which replace the primary teeth.

A good spacing between the primary teeth gives more room for permanent teeth to accommodate themselves in the dental arch. This spacing in primary teeth is referred to as interdental space.

Ugly Duckling Stage

The development of permanent maxillary canines results in the medial shifts of the roots of permanent incisor teeth. This occurs when the child is around eight to nine years of age. The crown (visible portion of the tooth) gets diverted to the distal side. This shift in the alignment of the teeth results in crooked appearance in children of this age group. This is referred to as an ugly duckling stage.

Parents often get worried about the aesthetic appearance of the child during this phase; however, this is a natural phase and once the canine teeth start appearing child regains the lost esthetic appearance; however, in case if the teeth still remain misaligned the child should be taken for a dental check-up.

What age do back molars come in

Ugly duckling stage smile from 2 young girls at primary school. Image Credit: Daran Jiravichitchai / Shutterstock

Replacement of Primary Canines and Premolar Teeth

The combined width of the primary canine, first molar, and second molar is greater than the total width of permanent canine, first premolar, and second premolar tooth. This difference in the width of primary and permanent teeth is referred to as Leeway space. This natural space gives enough room for permanent teeth for accommodating themselves in the dental arch.

Dentition in children below 13 years of age undergoes a constant change and should never be regarded as stationary during this time. However, an appropriate cleaning of teeth during this time is vital for protecting the erupting permanent teeth against any potential dental damage.

Further Reading

  • All Teeth Content
  • Dental Health in Children
  • Foods Good for Teeth
  • Tooth Polishing Procedure
  • Why Don't All Wisdom Teeth Descend in Adults?

Last Updated: Sep 12, 2018

What age do back molars come in

Written by

Akshima Sahi

Akshima is a registered dentist and seasoned medical writer from Dharamshala, India. Akshima is actively involved in educating people about the importance of good dental health. She examines patients and lends free counseling sessions. Taking her passion for medical writing ahead, her aim is to educate the masses about the value of good oral health.

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What age do back molars come in

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What age do back molars come in

Can a 4 year old get 6 year molars?

If your child's 6 year molars come in when they are 4, you may worried and unsure whether this is normal. We suggest that you schedule an appointment at our office so that our dentists can examine your child's mouth and check for any dental-related issues.

What are the symptoms of molars coming in?

Symptoms.
Your child may be drooling more than usual..
They might be unusually irritable..
Your child may be chewing on their fingers, clothing, or toys..
They might have a consistent low-grade temperature of about 99 degrees F..
If you're able to get a look – they have red gums at the eruption zone..
Interrupted sleep..

When do 2nd molars come in?

The next set to come in are the second molars on the top then bottom. These “extra” teeth, which do not replace any primary teeth, are often called 12 year molars, as they typically erupt between 11 and 13 years of age.