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Can my 10 week old be teething. Teething in Babies: Signs, Timeline, and Relief Strategies

When do babies start teething. What are the common signs of teething. How can parents provide relief for teething discomfort. Which baby teeth typically emerge first. What remedies help soothe teething pain.

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The Teething Timeline: When Baby Teeth Typically Emerge

Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, but it often comes with its share of discomfort. Parents frequently wonder when this process begins and what to expect. While the timing can vary, most babies start teething between 4 to 7 months of age. However, some infants may begin as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months.

The emergence of baby teeth, also known as primary teeth, typically follows a predictable pattern:

  • Bottom front teeth (lower central incisors): 6-10 months
  • Top front teeth (upper central incisors): 8-12 months
  • Top lateral incisors: 9-13 months
  • Bottom lateral incisors: 10-16 months
  • First molars: 13-19 months
  • Canine teeth: 16-23 months
  • Second molars: 23-33 months

It’s important to note that this timeline is a general guide. Some babies may deviate from this pattern, which is usually not a cause for concern. By age 3, most children will have a full set of 20 primary teeth.

7 Common Signs That Your Baby Is Teething

Recognizing the signs of teething can help parents provide timely comfort and relief. Here are seven common indicators that your baby might be teething:

1. Increased Biting and Chewing

Does your baby suddenly have an urge to chew on everything? Increased biting and chewing are often the first signs of teething. This behavior helps alleviate the pressure and discomfort in their gums. You may notice your little one gnawing on toys, their own fingers, or even trying to chew on your shoulder during cuddles.

2. Excessive Drooling

While babies naturally drool as they learn to control their saliva, teething can cause a significant increase in drooling. This excess saliva helps soothe irritated gums and facilitates the eruption of new teeth. Be prepared with plenty of bibs to keep your baby dry and comfortable.

3. Irritability and Fussiness

Is your usually happy baby suddenly cranky and difficult to console? Teething can cause discomfort and pain, leading to increased irritability. This fussiness may be particularly noticeable at night when there are fewer distractions from the discomfort.

4. Changes in Sleep Patterns

Teething discomfort can disrupt your baby’s sleep schedule. You might notice your little one waking up more frequently during the night or having trouble falling asleep. Daytime naps may also become shorter or more challenging to initiate.

5. Facial Rash and Ear Pulling

The excess drool associated with teething can cause skin irritation, leading to a facial rash, particularly around the mouth and chin. Some babies may also pull or rub their ears, which can be a sign of teething pain radiating to the ear area.

6. Loss of Appetite

Has your baby’s appetite suddenly decreased? Teething can make eating uncomfortable, especially for babies who are starting solid foods. You may notice a temporary decrease in food intake or a preference for softer foods during this time.

7. Mild Temperature Elevation

While teething itself doesn’t cause high fevers, some babies may experience a slight increase in body temperature. This mild elevation (below 101°F or 38.3°C) is generally not a cause for concern. However, if your baby develops a high fever or shows signs of illness, it’s best to consult your pediatrician.

Effective Teething Relief Strategies for Parents

While teething is a natural process, it can be challenging for both babies and parents. Fortunately, there are several strategies to help alleviate teething discomfort:

Cold Therapy

Cold can help numb sore gums and provide relief. Try these methods:

  • Refrigerated teething rings or toys
  • Chilled washcloth for gnawing
  • Cold foods for older babies (e.g., chilled applesauce or yogurt)

Gentle Gum Massage

Using a clean finger or soft, damp cloth to gently massage your baby’s gums can help alleviate pressure and soothe discomfort. Always ensure your hands are clean before attempting this method.

Safe Teething Toys

Provide your baby with safe, age-appropriate teething toys. Look for options made from non-toxic materials that are easy to clean and cannot pose a choking hazard. Some babies prefer textured surfaces, while others may like smooth ones.

Pain Relief Medications

For severe discomfort, consult your pediatrician about using over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months). Always follow dosage instructions carefully and avoid using topical numbing gels, which can be harmful if swallowed.

Distraction Techniques

Sometimes, the best remedy is distraction. Engage your baby in fun activities, songs, or games to take their mind off the discomfort. Extra cuddles and attention can also provide comfort during this challenging time.

Maintaining Oral Hygiene During Teething

As your baby’s teeth begin to emerge, it’s crucial to establish good oral hygiene habits. Here’s how to care for your baby’s new teeth:

  • Start cleaning gums before teeth appear using a soft, damp cloth
  • Once teeth emerge, use a small, soft-bristled toothbrush designed for infants
  • Use a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3 years
  • Brush gently twice a day, especially before bedtime
  • Schedule the first dental visit by your child’s first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing

By establishing these habits early, you set the foundation for lifelong oral health.

When to Consult a Pediatrician About Teething

While teething is generally a benign process, there are instances when you should seek medical advice:

  • High fever (101°F or 38.3°C and above)
  • Severe diarrhea or vomiting
  • Significant decrease in fluid or food intake
  • Signs of dehydration (e.g., fewer wet diapers, sunken soft spot)
  • Extreme irritability or lethargy
  • No teeth by 18 months of age

Remember, every baby is unique, and what’s normal for one may not be for another. Trust your instincts as a parent and don’t hesitate to seek professional advice if you’re concerned.

Myths and Misconceptions About Teething

There are several common myths surrounding teething that can lead to unnecessary worry or inappropriate treatments. Let’s debunk some of these misconceptions:

Myth: Teething Causes High Fevers

While teething may cause a slight increase in body temperature, it does not cause high fevers. If your baby has a temperature above 101°F (38.3°C), it’s likely due to an illness unrelated to teething.

Myth: Teething Causes Severe Diarrhea

Some parents report loose stools during teething, possibly due to increased saliva swallowing. However, severe or prolonged diarrhea is not a symptom of teething and requires medical attention.

Myth: Amber Necklaces Relieve Teething Pain

There’s no scientific evidence supporting the use of amber necklaces for teething relief. Moreover, these necklaces pose a choking and strangulation risk and are not recommended by pediatricians.

Myth: Teething Causes Significant Developmental Delays

While teething can cause temporary discomfort and changes in behavior, it does not cause significant developmental delays. If you notice delays in your child’s development, consult your pediatrician.

Long-Term Dental Health: Beyond Teething

As your baby grows and their full set of primary teeth emerges, it’s essential to maintain good oral health practices. Here are some tips for long-term dental health:

  • Continue regular dental check-ups every 6 months
  • Teach proper brushing techniques as your child grows
  • Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially before bedtime
  • Encourage drinking water after meals to rinse the mouth
  • Consider dental sealants when permanent molars come in
  • Be aware of the signs of dental issues, such as tooth decay or misalignment

By establishing these habits early and maintaining them throughout childhood, you set the stage for excellent oral health that will benefit your child well into adulthood.

Embracing the Teething Journey: A Positive Perspective

While teething can be challenging, it’s important to remember that it’s a natural and necessary process in your baby’s development. Each new tooth represents a milestone in your child’s growth and brings them one step closer to a beautiful, healthy smile.

As you navigate this journey, remember to:

  • Be patient and understanding of your baby’s discomfort
  • Celebrate each new tooth as it appears
  • Document the teething process through photos or a baby book
  • Share your experiences with other parents for support and advice
  • Take care of yourself, as a well-rested parent is better equipped to handle teething challenges

With love, patience, and the right strategies, you and your baby will successfully navigate the teething phase, emerging with a set of healthy primary teeth and a stronger bond between parent and child.

7 Signs Your Baby is Teething

Is your baby showing teething symptoms, or are they fussy for some other reason? If baby is exhibiting any of these seven signs, she is almost certainly teething.

Whether it’s brushing those teeth after they finally arrive or waiting for them to come in, baby teeth sure cause a lot of trouble! The process of getting these teeth can be effortless or excruciating depending on your baby. Even with minor cases, most babies show some teething symptoms.


When Do Babies Start Teething?

The tricky thing about teething is that symptoms can start 2 to 3 months before a tooth surfaces! This can be brutal for baby and family if there’s a lot of discomfort.


Teething Symptoms: How Do You Know If Your Baby is Teething?

Watch this video to find out.

The key is to look for these seven teething symptoms

1.

Biting more than usual

This teething symptom will turn your baby into a vampire. Bite, bite, bite on anything from plastic spoons, to toys, to your breast. Griffin liked chewing on hard plastic things the best., but there’s a plethora of teething toys on the market which may also help.

2. Excessive drool

When babies are still newborns, they’re still learning how to swallow their saliva—this causes excessive drooling. Fast forward to teething, and the drooling starts again (or never stops in some cases). When baby is teething, the body creates extra saliva to lubricate the tender and bulging gums.

3. Fussier than usual, especially at night

These teething symptoms make babies who once slept through the night start to wake up several times for comfort. In the quiet hours of night, a baby often feels the teething pain more because there are fewer distractions.

4. Disturbances in sleep patterns

Because of teething discomfort, babies will usually nap less and wake up earlier in the morning. Fun times for all involved with these teething symptoms!

5. Fever, rashes, cough, and diarrhea

Although some doctors disagree, many mamas detect a slight fever (under 100 degrees) in their babies when teeth are imminent. Additionally, the extra drool can cause facial rashes, chafing, and coughing, since it pools at the back of the throat. Some babies even develop diaper rash and diarrhea.

6. Decreased appetite

When babies are in pain, they generally don’t want to eat, especially since it triggers their sore spots. Keep trying to feed them as much as possible, despite the resistance. Call your doctor if baby’s caloric input decreases dramatically.

7. Pulling of ears and rubbing of chin and cheeks

Babies can be quite resourceful and administer self massage. By pulling and rubbing around their jaw, they create counter pressure that eases some of the pain and throbbing.


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Baby Teeth Chart: Which Baby Teeth Come In First?

If your little baby is acting different lately because of teething symptoms, take heart there’s good reason. Soon enough, her little pearly whites will surface. Here’s a quick look at which baby teeth come in first:

Baby Teeth Chart What Order Do They Come In chart by Mama Natural

For more on which baby teeth come in first, check out this whole post on the subject.


Baby Teething Pain Relief

While all of these baby teeth come in, we don’t have to be victims to teething symptoms. There are some great things we can do to comfort baby in the midst of the teething process:

  1. Lower inflammation: Inflammation from teething stimulate nerves, causing pain.
  2. Boost the immune system: There is some debate whether teething lowers the immune system, or whether the emergence of colds and fevers while teething is simply a coincidence. Either way, boosting baby’s immunity can’t hurt.
  3. Apply cold and pressure: Cold helps numb the area, while pressure soothes inflamed gums.
  4. Try teething toys: Safe and non-toxic objects that baby can chew apply counter pressure to aching gums.
  5. Herbal remedies: To help ease teething pain, make an herbal tea, soak a washcloth, freeze it, then let baby chew on it.

Want to learn more? Check out my full post on effective teething remedies.

How About You?

What teething symptoms did your baby have?

Teething | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

Teething | Pregnancy Birth and Baby

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When will my baby start teething?

Baby teeth commonly start to appear in the mouth around 9 months of age, but timing can range from 3 to 12 months.

Teething can be uncomfortable for some babies and may make them a bit upset and bad-tempered. But lots of love and a chilled teething ring to chew on can often help.

Teething does not happen at the same time for all babies.

Some babies begin showing signs of teething as early as 3 months of age. All 20 baby teeth (10 in the top jaw and 10 in the bottom) will usually arrive by the time your child is 3 years old.

Don’t worry if your baby’s teeth come in at different times.

Learn more about how your baby’s teeth develop.

How will I know if my child is teething?

Even before you start to see a tooth erupt, you may notice some changes in your baby’s behaviour. Signs that your baby may be teething include:

  • red swollen gums
  • flushed cheeks
  • dribbling
  • being cranky or restless
  • a slight fever
  • pulling the ear on the same side as the erupting tooth
  • sucking fingers and fists

Teething is not usually associated with illness. So don’t assume that your baby is ‘just teething’ if there are symptoms such as coughing, rashes, diarrhoea, vomiting, seizures, or a high fever. See your doctor if your child is experiencing these symptoms to check if they need treatment.

How can I ease my child’s discomfort?

When your child is teething, keeping them comfortable can be a challenge. Some suggestions include:

  • Wash your hands and gently rub your baby’s gums.
  • Give your baby a cooled (but not frozen) teething ring or dummy.
  • Gently run a cool clean facecloth or the back of a cold spoon along your child’s gums.
  • Give your baby something firm to suck on, such as a sugar-free rusk.
  • For older children, give them softer foods for a while so they don’t have to chew so much.

What should I avoid or be aware of?

See your dentist or doctor before using any pain medicines or mouth gels that contain anaesthetic.

Teething gels

Cold teething gels can provide short-term relief, but if your child swallows the gel you use on their gums it can be hard to know how much is swallowed. This can make the throat numb and cause a choking hazard. Only use teething gels made for children and only as directed on the pack.

Dummy

Some people find that dummies (pacifiers) can provide children with relief and comfort while they are teething. Never dip a dummy in sugary spreads such as honey or jam as this can increase your child’s risk of tooth decay.

Amber beads

Beaded necklaces or bracelets are a potential choking hazard and unlikely to provide any pain relief for your teething child.

Caring for baby’s teeth and gums

Setting your children up for good oral health starts early, even before baby teeth start to appear.

Parents and guardians should brush babies’ and young children’s teeth for them to ensure all surfaces are cleaned. Before introducing a toothbrush, you may like to use a clean, damp washcloth or muslin cloth to clean your baby’s gums. When a few teeth have come through, you can start to use a toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.

When your child is 18 months, you can use a small pea-sized amount of low strength fluoride toothpaste.

If your child is 6 or over, use a small amount of standard strength fluoride toothpaste and encourage your child to spit out, not swallow and not rinse after brushing.

The recommended amount of time to brush is 2 minutes. However, for infants and young children who only have a few teeth, this amount of time is a little too long. When brushing your baby or young child’s teeth, just ensure that your reach every surface of each tooth.

Once your child has two teeth touching side by side, start cleaning in between these teeth with dental floss. This often starts when your child is around 2 years old. Your dentist can show you techniques and items that can make this an easier process.

You can check your child’s teeth at home by lifting their top lip and rolling down their bottom lip to have a look at their teeth. If you see white, brown, or black spots on the teeth that do not rub or brush away, it is best to make an appointment with your dentist to have the teeth checked.

When to visit the dentist

It is a good idea to organise your baby’s first visit to the dentist when their first tooth appears, or at around 12 months – whichever comes first. Dentists and their teams are used to working with babies and young children.

The first dental visit will involve your dentist examining your child’s teeth. This visit is also an opportunity for the dentist and parent/s to discuss important oral health topics, including:

  • tips for cleaning your child’s teeth
  • what to expect as your child’s mouth continues to develop
  • thumb sucking and dummy use
  • how to help prevent tooth decay
  • avoiding injury to your child’s teeth
  • advice on tooth-friendly foods and drinks

Always make a visit to the dentist a positive experience for your baby. Never use the dentist as a threat for not brushing teeth or other behaviour.

Is there financial assistance to help with costs?

If you receive a government benefit, such as Family Tax Benefit A payments, your child may be eligible for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule. This Government benefit provides each eligible child $1,026 of general dental treatment over a two-year period.

To check if your child is eligible, call Medicare on 132 011, or check your Medicare online account through MyGov.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:

Australian Dental Association
(Babies and toddlers 0-3 years),
WA Department of Health
(Teething and your baby),
NSW Health
(Lift the Lip),
Services Australia
(Who can get it),
Services Australia
(Child Dental Benefits Schedule)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: May 2022

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  • Dental care for babies and children
  • Dental care for infants and toddlers
  • Baby teeth

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