what age do molars come in
Most children get their molars in stages from about 1 year old through the late teen years, with different ages for baby molars, permanent molars, and wisdom teeth.
What age do molars come in?
Quick Scoop
Here’s the simple breakdown of what age do molars come in for most kids and teens.
Baby (primary) molars
These are the first big chewing teeth in the back of the mouth.
- First baby molars: usually erupt around 13–19 months on the top and 14–18 months on the bottom.
- Second baby molars: usually erupt around 23–33 months (close to age 2–3).
- By about age 3, most kids have a full set of 20 baby teeth, including all baby molars.
Permanent (adult) molars
These grow in behind the baby teeth and do not replace any baby tooth.
- First permanent molars (“6‑year molars”): usually come in around ages 6–7 (sometimes as early as 5 or as late as 8).
- Second permanent molars (“12‑year molars”): usually erupt around ages 11–13.
- Third molars (wisdom teeth): typically appear between ages 16–21, but some people never get them at all.
Baby vs. adult molars at a glance
| Type of molar | Typical age they come in | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First baby molars | Top: 13–19 months; Bottom: 14–18 months | [7][1]Help with early chewing; part of the 20 primary teeth. | [3]
| Second baby molars | About 23–33 months (around age 2–3) | [1][7]Usually the last baby teeth to erupt. | [3]
| First permanent molars | About 6–7 years (range 5–8) | [9][1][3]“6‑year molars”; appear behind baby molars without any tooth falling out first. | [9][3]
| Second permanent molars | About 11–13 years | [2][1][3]Often called “12‑year molars”. | [3]
| Third molars (wisdom teeth) | Develop around 14–16, erupt around 16–18+ (up to early 20s) | [2][3]Some people never develop them or need them removed. | [1][3]
Why the timing can vary
Teeth don’t run on a perfect schedule, and that’s very normal.
- Genetics: early or late teething often runs in families.
- Health and nutrition: overall health can slightly shift timing.
- Individual variation: for example, “6‑year molars” can show up anywhere between about 4–7 years.
As a loose rule of thumb, if molars are a bit early or a bit late but the teeth look healthy and your child is growing normally, it is usually within the normal range.
Common questions parents ask (mini FAQ)
“My 3‑year‑old is cranky and drooling again. Could it be molars?”
- Around 2–3 years, second baby molars are coming in and can cause teething‑like fussiness and sore gums.
“Do kids lose their baby molars?”
- Yes. Baby molars usually fall out in later childhood and are replaced by permanent premolars and molars between roughly ages 9–13.
“Is it normal if my child’s 6‑year molars aren’t in yet?”
- Many kids get them closer to 7, and some even a bit earlier or later; the common range is about 5–7 years.
If you ever notice strong pain, swelling that spreads, fever, or a molar that looks broken, it’s worth calling a pediatric dentist promptly for a checkup.
Today’s context and “trending” angle
Parents still post a lot on forums in 2025–2026 about “late 6‑year molars” or “3‑year‑old molars” because this stage can look different from child to child, and it often shows up as sleep disruption and picky eating. People also talk more now about protecting those first permanent molars early with good brushing and sometimes sealants, since those teeth are meant to last a lifetime.
TL;DR
- Baby molars: roughly 1–3 years.
- First adult molars: around 6–7 years.
- Second adult molars: around 11–13 years.
- Wisdom teeth: late teens to early 20s, and some people never get them.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.