Teething: What's Happening, What Helps

I've always heard that bottom teeth come in first, but my son has only his top two. Is this normal?

Q: I've always heard that bottom teeth come in first, but my 7-month-old has only his top two and no sign of any others. Is this normal?

A: Your baby is atypical but not abnormal. Babies' teeth do not always appear in a set order, although for the majority, the two front bottom teeth work their way through the gum at about 6 months. These are usually followed within a month or so by the top two in front, says Richard Bohon, D.D.S., a family dentist in Columbia, Missouri. Next, one on either side of the central bottom pair generally appear, followed by their counterparts on top. Most babies have eight teeth by their first birthday.