When do babies typically begin teething. What are the common signs and symptoms of teething. How can parents soothe their teething baby. What is the typical teething timeline for infants. Are there any remedies to alleviate teething discomfort. When should parents be concerned about their baby’s teething progress.

The Teething Timeline: When Do Babies Start Cutting Teeth?

Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, marking the emergence of their first teeth through the gums. While the exact timing can vary, most babies begin teething around 6 months of age. However, it’s essential to understand that there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal when it comes to teething.

Some babies may start showing signs of teething as early as 2 or 3 months, while others might not cut their first tooth until after their first birthday. This variation is often influenced by genetic factors, with some families tending towards earlier or later teething.

The Average Teething Timeline

• 4-7 months: First tooth typically appears
• 6 months: Most common age for teething to begin
• 3 years: Full set of first teeth usually complete

Can babies be born with teeth? While rare, some infants are born with one or two teeth, a condition known as natal teeth. This occurs in approximately 1 in 2,000 to 3,000 births. These teeth require close monitoring by a pediatric dentist, as they can pose a choking risk.

Recognizing the Signs: Common Teething Symptoms

Teething can be a challenging time for both babies and parents. While some infants may sail through the process with minimal discomfort, others may experience various symptoms. It’s crucial for parents to be able to identify these signs to provide appropriate comfort and care.

Key Teething Symptoms to Watch For:

1. Increased drooling
2. Irritability and fussiness
3. Swollen or tender gums
4. Chewing on objects
5. Difficulty sleeping
6. Refusing food
7. Slight temperature elevation (below 101째F or 38.3째C)

Is a high fever a sign of teething? While a slight temperature increase may occur during teething, a rectal temperature of 100.4째F (38째C) or higher is not typically associated with teething and may indicate an illness. Parents should consult their pediatrician if their baby develops a high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Teething and Breastfeeding: What to Expect

For breastfeeding mothers, teething can introduce new challenges and changes to the feeding routine. Understanding these potential shifts can help both mother and baby navigate this phase more comfortably.

Teething’s Impact on Breastfeeding:

• Changes in latch or sucking patterns
• Increased desire to nurse for comfort
• Possible biting or gnawing on the breast
• Temporary refusal to feed due to gum discomfort

How can breastfeeding mothers cope with teething babies? Offering a cold teething ring before nursing can help soothe sore gums. Some mothers find that changing breastfeeding positions or using gentle massage techniques on the baby’s gums before feeding can also be helpful.

The Teething Order: Which Teeth Come First?

While every baby is unique, there is a general pattern to how teeth emerge. Understanding this sequence can help parents anticipate and prepare for each new tooth.

Typical Order of Tooth Eruption:

1. Bottom central incisors (bottom front teeth)
2. Top central incisors (top front teeth)
3. Top lateral incisors (either side of top front teeth)
4. Bottom lateral incisors (either side of bottom front teeth)
5. First molars
6. Canines
7. Second molars

Do teeth always emerge in pairs? While it’s common for teeth to come in pairs, this isn’t always the case. Some babies may have teeth emerge one at a time or in a different order. As long as all teeth eventually come in, variations in the eruption pattern are usually not a cause for concern.

Soothing Strategies: Effective Teething Remedies

When teething discomfort strikes, parents often seek ways to alleviate their baby’s pain. Fortunately, there are several safe and effective methods to soothe a teething baby.

Tried-and-True Teething Remedies:

• Teething rings (especially when chilled)
• Gentle gum massage with a clean finger
• Cold washcloth for chewing
• Frozen fruits in a mesh feeder (for babies eating solids)
• Over-the-counter pain relievers (consult pediatrician first)

Are teething necklaces safe for babies? The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using teething necklaces due to the risk of choking and strangulation. Instead, they recommend safer alternatives like teething rings or gentle gum massage.

When to Worry: Recognizing Atypical Teething Patterns

While there’s a wide range of normal when it comes to teething, there are certain situations where parents might want to consult their pediatrician.

Potential Concerns to Discuss with a Doctor:

• No teeth by 18 months of age
• Significant delays in tooth eruption
• Teeth coming in very out of order
• Signs of tooth decay in newly erupted teeth

Could delayed teething indicate a health issue? In some cases, delayed teething can be associated with certain medical conditions or nutritional deficiencies. However, it’s important to remember that every child develops at their own pace, and late teething alone is not usually a cause for alarm.

Dental Care for Baby Teeth: Starting Good Habits Early

Even before the first tooth appears, it’s important to establish good oral hygiene habits. Proper care of baby teeth sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy smiles.

Early Dental Care Tips:

1. Clean gums with a soft, damp cloth after feedings
2. Begin brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush as soon as the first tooth emerges
3. Use a rice-grain sized amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under 3
4. Schedule the first dental visit by the first birthday or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing

Is fluoride toothpaste safe for babies? The American Dental Association recommends using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) as soon as teeth begin to appear. This helps prevent tooth decay from an early age.

Teething and Development: Understanding the Bigger Picture

Teething is just one aspect of a baby’s overall development. It’s important to view this milestone in the context of other physical and cognitive changes occurring during this time.

Developmental Milestones Often Coinciding with Teething:

• Increased mobility (rolling, crawling)
• Improved hand-eye coordination
• Beginning to babble or form early words
• Showing interest in solid foods

Does teething affect a baby’s sleep patterns? Teething can sometimes disrupt sleep, but it’s not always the culprit behind sleep regressions. Many babies experience sleep changes around the same time as teething due to other developmental leaps occurring simultaneously.

As babies navigate the teething process, parents play a crucial role in providing comfort, support, and proper dental care. By understanding the typical teething timeline, recognizing common symptoms, and implementing effective soothing strategies, parents can help make this developmental milestone a smoother experience for their little ones.

Remember, every baby is unique, and there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal when it comes to teething. If you have concerns about your baby’s dental development, don’t hesitate to consult with your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist. They can provide personalized guidance and ensure your baby’s oral health is on track.

As you navigate this exciting (and sometimes challenging) phase of your baby’s growth, take comfort in knowing that teething is a temporary process. Before you know it, you’ll be admiring your little one’s adorable toothy grin and celebrating yet another incredible milestone in their development.

When Do Babies Start Teething? Symptoms, Remedies, and More

Teething is when a baby’s teeth start to come through their gums. Most babies will start teething around the age of 6 months, but some may start sooner or later.

You love watching your baby hit those sweet milestones — the first smile, first giggle, and rolling over for the first time. But one that’s sometimes not so sweet (for you or for them) is teething.

Although this is a typical part of growing for babies, it is one of those milestones that can bring discomfort, tears (from you and baby), and even sleepless nights (yep, more of those!).

As for when your baby will actually start the process, it depends.

Catherine ConellyMOTHER OF ONE

The worst timing

My baby suddenly started fighting naps so hard and waking up crying in the wee hours of the morning. Of course, he’d had crying fits before, but never moments like this where he was basically inconsolable. He had always been a great sleeper, but of course, this kicked in when I was on vacation visiting my family in Florida. I didn’t see any gum swelling or other signs. I really didn’t think it was teeth. I figured it was just growing pains. But sure enough, two bottom teeth popped up about a week later.

Was this helpful?

A baby’s teeth can sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort, so you might not realize they’re teething until you see the first sign of a tiny white tooth. For other babies, though, teething does cause discomfort.

Common symptoms of teething may include:

• drooling
• face rash from drooling
• chewing on different objects
• irritability and crankiness
• crying
• refusing to eat
• swollen, sore, or tender gums
• trouble sleeping
• flushed cheeks
• pulling on their ears
• slightly elevated temperature to around 99°F (37.2°C)

Note

On the other hand, a rectal temperature 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, vomiting, or diarrhea are not usually signs of teething. If your baby has these symptoms, contact their pediatrician.

Was this helpful?

Symptoms of teething in breastfed babies

Teething symptoms can occur whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby. But if you breastfeed or chestfeed, you might notice other changes, too. For example, gum pain or soreness might cause your baby to latch on differently.

Before a tooth emerges (and even afterward), you might feel your baby gnaw or bite down on your breasts. And since breastfeeding is soothing for babies, they might feed more often while teething.

Keep in mind that teething symptoms occur before a tooth breaks through the gum, so don’t be alarmed if you notice these changes in your baby but don’t see any sign of a tooth.

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old.

But there’s a wide range of when it’s considered “typical” to start teething. So don’t panic if your little one hasn’t cut a tooth by 7 or 9 months old. If you’re concerned, you can always speak with their pediatrician at their next checkup.

To get even more specific, most infants begin teething at around 6 months old. Your little one will likely have a full set of their first teeth by age 3, and all the joys of the teeth-brushing routine will have been long established.

But “typical” doesn’t mean “best” or “all.” Exactly when your baby will start teething may even be hereditary.

And though it may seem impossible, some babies are born with one or two teeth! This occurs in about 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 800 cases — so it’s uncommon. It makes for some incredibly adorable pictures, but let’s be honest — toothless grins are pretty darn cute, too.

Infants born with teeth should have them closely monitored since they can present a choking risk.

Some infants are early teethers — and it usually isn’t anything to worry about! If your little one starts showing signs of teething around 2 or 3 months old, they’re simply ahead of the curve in the teething department. And if your baby is a late teether, try not to worry about this either (easier said than done, we know).

Every baby is different, so don’t be concerned if all your child’s little friends have started to cut teeth already — yours will too, in their own time. In fact, if you’re going to compare at all, it’s better to consider when their siblings (if they have them) got their first tooth.

The bottom two teeth are usually the first to appear, followed by the four upper teeth. So keep an eye on that area and prepare for cuteness overload when they do.

Next, their teeth may come in two at a time, one on each side of the mouth. But this pattern can vary, and many factors can influence the timeline (like if your baby was born early or at a low birth weight, for example).

On average, babies have:

• 4 teeth by 11 months
• 8 teeth by 15 months
• 12 teeth by 19 months
• 16 teeth at 23 months

Those sometimes distressing (but always perfectly usual) teething symptoms may come and go during this time period. Or they may be more consistent as your little one cuts new teeth or starts to feel the first symptoms of a tooth emerging.

If your child doesn’t have any teeth by 18 months, see a pediatric dentist for evaluation. In rare cases, an underlying medical issue may cause a delay in teething. These may include:

• malnutrition
• vitamin deficiency
• underactive thyroid

If you’re concerned that it’s been a while since your child cut their last one or two teeth, speak with their pediatrician.

When your little one is teething, you may feel more inclined to reach for that bottle of wine or chocolate bar because it’s tough to see your baby in pain. (No? Just us?)

Well, baby needs some soothing, too.

Home remedies

These are some tried and true — and most importantly, safe — home remedies you can try:

• Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, knuckle, or moistened gauze pad.
• Hold a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring on your baby’s gums.
• Use plastic or rubber toys that are chilled — never frozen solid (ouch!).
• Offer cold foods like a chilled little slice of cucumber if your baby is already eating solids — but always keep a watchful eye on them, because this could be a choking hazard.

Medical treatment

Currently, there aren’t any medical treatments to soothe teething pain in a baby. The good news, though, is that babies typically respond positively to home remedies.

If these remedies don’t relieve symptoms, feel free to ask your pediatrician about the occasional use of over-the-counter baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Your pediatrician can advise whether this is an OK treatment and provide guidance on proper dosing.

And an important note: No matter how attractive the item or the claims of its manufacturers, avoid teething necklaces or bracelets — worn by adults or babies — made of amber, wood, or silicone. These can quickly turn into choking hazards, and it’s just not worth it.

Also on the no-go list: homeopathic teething tablets and medicated topical gels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using both of these products.

Medicated topical gels contain the ingredient benzocaine, which is an anesthetic. It’s found in products like Anbesol, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase.

Benzocaine is linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.

Keep in mind that good oral health isn’t important for only older children, teens, and adults. Your baby’s oral health matters too. So start brushing those pearly whites as soon as the first tooth grows in.

How do you keep their tiny, delicate teeth healthy? There really isn’t much to do at this age, but the first step is to buy an infant toothbrush that is soft and gentle. You’ll brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

And yes, it’s OK to use a fluoride toothpaste, but not too much. You only need a small grain-size amount until they’re 3 years old; then, increase to a pea-sized amount.

Brushing helps prevent tooth decay, which can occur when sugar from milk, juice, or formula remains on their teeth and damages the enamel.

Have questions about teething? Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What are the first signs of teething?

The teething experience can differ for each individual baby, but some of the first signs include:

• drooling
• gnawing
• trouble sleeping
• irritability or crying
• a mild increase in body temperature

Some babies also develop flushness around their cheeks or a rash. And if you breastfeed or chestfeed, teething might change the way your baby latches, or they might feed more often to soothe themselves.

How early do babies show signs of teething?

Teething typically occurs around 6 months of age. However, some babies start teething as early as 2 or 3 months. Then again, some babies teeth later and don’t cut their first tooth until 8 or 9 months (or later).

How long does teething last for babies?

The teething timeframe differs for each baby. But regardless of whether a baby starts teething at 6 months or 9 months, they typically stop teething before age 3. Some babies stop teething around 24 months, while others don’t stop until 36 months.

Do babies get sick when teething?

Even though your baby may have physical discomfort, teething doesn’t make them sick. So if your baby has a runny nose, productive cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever, these symptoms aren’t associated with teething. This could be a sign of an infection, so speak with their pediatrician.

When your baby cuts their first tooth usually says nothing about their development — as with most things baby, there’s such a wide range of totally OK. Most infants end up with a full set of baby teeth by the time they’re 3 years old, regardless of when they cut that first tooth.

But if your baby hasn’t cut a tooth by the time they’re 18 months old, talk with your dentist. Ideally, you’ve already brought your baby to a pediatric dentist by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (and the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, too).

So if you haven’t seen a dentist yet, this would be a good time to have your sweet babe’s mouth and gums checked out.

While visiting the dentist for the first time may sound scary, remember these two things: Your baby hasn’t yet had a negative dental experience to create dread, and pediatric dentists are great at making the visit comfortable — it can even be even fun.

Once your little one does cut a tooth or two, be sure to take good care to clean around the area each day with a damp, cool washcloth or soft-bristle baby toothbrush. Before you know it, they’ll (hopefully!) be brushing their teeth on their own.

When Do Babies Start Teething? Symptoms, Remedies, and More

Teething is when a baby’s teeth start to come through their gums. Most babies will start teething around the age of 6 months, but some may start sooner or later.

You love watching your baby hit those sweet milestones — the first smile, first giggle, and rolling over for the first time. But one that’s sometimes not so sweet (for you or for them) is teething.

Although this is a typical part of growing for babies, it is one of those milestones that can bring discomfort, tears (from you and baby), and even sleepless nights (yep, more of those!).

As for when your baby will actually start the process, it depends.

A baby’s teeth can sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort, so you might not realize they’re teething until you see the first sign of a tiny white tooth. For other babies, though, teething does cause discomfort.

Common symptoms of teething may include:

• drooling
• face rash from drooling
• chewing on different objects
• irritability and crankiness
• crying
• refusing to eat
• swollen, sore, or tender gums
• trouble sleeping
• flushed cheeks
• pulling on their ears
• slightly elevated temperature to around 99°F (37.2°C)

Note

On the other hand, a rectal temperature 100. 4°F (38°C) or higher, vomiting, or diarrhea are not usually signs of teething. If your baby has these symptoms, contact their pediatrician.

Was this helpful?

Symptoms of teething in breastfed babies

Teething symptoms can occur whether you breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby. But if you breastfeed or chestfeed, you might notice other changes, too. For example, gum pain or soreness might cause your baby to latch on differently.

Before a tooth emerges (and even afterward), you might feel your baby gnaw or bite down on your breasts. And since breastfeeding is soothing for babies, they might feed more often while teething.

Keep in mind that teething symptoms occur before a tooth breaks through the gum, so don’t be alarmed if you notice these changes in your baby but don’t see any sign of a tooth.

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old.

But there’s a wide range of when it’s considered “typical” to start teething. So don’t panic if your little one hasn’t cut a tooth by 7 or 9 months old. If you’re concerned, you can always speak with their pediatrician at their next checkup.

To get even more specific, most infants begin teething at around 6 months old. Your little one will likely have a full set of their first teeth by age 3, and all the joys of the teeth-brushing routine will have been long established.

But “typical” doesn’t mean “best” or “all.” Exactly when your baby will start teething may even be hereditary.

And though it may seem impossible, some babies are born with one or two teeth! This occurs in about 1 in 6,000 to 1 in 800 cases — so it’s uncommon. It makes for some incredibly adorable pictures, but let’s be honest — toothless grins are pretty darn cute, too.

Infants born with teeth should have them closely monitored since they can present a choking risk.

Some infants are early teethers — and it usually isn’t anything to worry about! If your little one starts showing signs of teething around 2 or 3 months old, they’re simply ahead of the curve in the teething department. And if your baby is a late teether, try not to worry about this either (easier said than done, we know).

Every baby is different, so don’t be concerned if all your child’s little friends have started to cut teeth already — yours will too, in their own time. In fact, if you’re going to compare at all, it’s better to consider when their siblings (if they have them) got their first tooth.

The bottom two teeth are usually the first to appear, followed by the four upper teeth. So keep an eye on that area and prepare for cuteness overload when they do.

Next, their teeth may come in two at a time, one on each side of the mouth. But this pattern can vary, and many factors can influence the timeline (like if your baby was born early or at a low birth weight, for example).

On average, babies have:

• 4 teeth by 11 months
• 8 teeth by 15 months
• 12 teeth by 19 months
• 16 teeth at 23 months

Those sometimes distressing (but always perfectly usual) teething symptoms may come and go during this time period. Or they may be more consistent as your little one cuts new teeth or starts to feel the first symptoms of a tooth emerging.

If your child doesn’t have any teeth by 18 months, see a pediatric dentist for evaluation. In rare cases, an underlying medical issue may cause a delay in teething. These may include:

• malnutrition
• vitamin deficiency
• underactive thyroid

If you’re concerned that it’s been a while since your child cut their last one or two teeth, speak with their pediatrician.

When your little one is teething, you may feel more inclined to reach for that bottle of wine or chocolate bar because it’s tough to see your baby in pain. (No? Just us?)

Well, baby needs some soothing, too.

Home remedies

These are some tried and true — and most importantly, safe — home remedies you can try:

• Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, knuckle, or moistened gauze pad.
• Hold a cold washcloth, spoon, or chilled teething ring on your baby’s gums.
• Use plastic or rubber toys that are chilled — never frozen solid (ouch!).
• Offer cold foods like a chilled little slice of cucumber if your baby is already eating solids — but always keep a watchful eye on them, because this could be a choking hazard.

Medical treatment

Currently, there aren’t any medical treatments to soothe teething pain in a baby. The good news, though, is that babies typically respond positively to home remedies.

If these remedies don’t relieve symptoms, feel free to ask your pediatrician about the occasional use of over-the-counter baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Your pediatrician can advise whether this is an OK treatment and provide guidance on proper dosing.

And an important note: No matter how attractive the item or the claims of its manufacturers, avoid teething necklaces or bracelets — worn by adults or babies — made of amber, wood, or silicone. These can quickly turn into choking hazards, and it’s just not worth it.

Also on the no-go list: homeopathic teething tablets and medicated topical gels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings against using both of these products.

Medicated topical gels contain the ingredient benzocaine, which is an anesthetic. It’s found in products like Anbesol, Orajel, Baby Orajel, and Orabase.

Benzocaine is linked to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.

Keep in mind that good oral health isn’t important for only older children, teens, and adults. Your baby’s oral health matters too. So start brushing those pearly whites as soon as the first tooth grows in.

How do you keep their tiny, delicate teeth healthy? There really isn’t much to do at this age, but the first step is to buy an infant toothbrush that is soft and gentle. You’ll brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night.

And yes, it’s OK to use a fluoride toothpaste, but not too much. You only need a small grain-size amount until they’re 3 years old; then, increase to a pea-sized amount.

Brushing helps prevent tooth decay, which can occur when sugar from milk, juice, or formula remains on their teeth and damages the enamel.

Have questions about teething? Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions.

What are the first signs of teething?

The teething experience can differ for each individual baby, but some of the first signs include:

• drooling
• gnawing
• trouble sleeping
• irritability or crying
• a mild increase in body temperature

Some babies also develop flushness around their cheeks or a rash. And if you breastfeed or chestfeed, teething might change the way your baby latches, or they might feed more often to soothe themselves.

How early do babies show signs of teething?

Teething typically occurs around 6 months of age. However, some babies start teething as early as 2 or 3 months. Then again, some babies teeth later and don’t cut their first tooth until 8 or 9 months (or later).

How long does teething last for babies?

The teething timeframe differs for each baby. But regardless of whether a baby starts teething at 6 months or 9 months, they typically stop teething before age 3. Some babies stop teething around 24 months, while others don’t stop until 36 months.

Do babies get sick when teething?

Even though your baby may have physical discomfort, teething doesn’t make them sick. So if your baby has a runny nose, productive cough, diarrhea, vomiting, or a high fever, these symptoms aren’t associated with teething. This could be a sign of an infection, so speak with their pediatrician.

When your baby cuts their first tooth usually says nothing about their development — as with most things baby, there’s such a wide range of totally OK. Most infants end up with a full set of baby teeth by the time they’re 3 years old, regardless of when they cut that first tooth.

But if your baby hasn’t cut a tooth by the time they’re 18 months old, talk with your dentist. Ideally, you’ve already brought your baby to a pediatric dentist by age 1, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (and the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatrics, too).

So if you haven’t seen a dentist yet, this would be a good time to have your sweet babe’s mouth and gums checked out.

While visiting the dentist for the first time may sound scary, remember these two things: Your baby hasn’t yet had a negative dental experience to create dread, and pediatric dentists are great at making the visit comfortable — it can even be even fun.

Once your little one does cut a tooth or two, be sure to take good care to clean around the area each day with a damp, cool washcloth or soft-bristle baby toothbrush. Before you know it, they’ll (hopefully!) be brushing their teeth on their own.

Mom asks: “Can a 2-month-old baby cut teeth?”

Health

Photo

supersizer / E+ / Getty Images

. In recent days, I notice that she seems to be cutting her teeth. The child began to cry more, began to gnaw on his fist, even if he had eaten quite recently. Drooling constantly. Can teeth be cut so early? Whether is it a pathology? And how to relieve the child’s pain?

Pediatric dentist at PerfectSmile Aesthetic Dentistry and Bone Regeneration Center

— Teething at 2 months is possible. It is not considered a pathology. Cases have been recorded when babies were born already with teeth. Mostly they need to be removed because they interfere with breastfeeding and make it difficult to take formula from a bottle. But there are times when they are left behind. Everything is individual.

At 2 months, eruption is considered early. This is due to genetics. The mother’s past illnesses, the intake or lack of intake of any vitamins by the mother does not affect the timing of teething. But it can affect the quality of the teeth.

The timing of eruption may be affected by vitamin and microelement deficiencies in the child himself, but in this case, on the contrary, we assume a later eruption.

Teething – how to relieve pain

Gels with lidocaine, benzocaine and other local anesthetics should not be used under the age of 4 years! Homeopathic preparations containing belladonna are also prohibited. Preparations in which choline salicylate is present are questionable. The risks and side effects outweigh the potential benefits.

What to do:

1. Massage your baby’s gums with your finger or silicone brush.

2. Use a cold teether. Just freeze in the refrigerator, not the freezer.

3. Give the nibbler a chilled product that is familiar to the baby.

4. Give me a pacifier. Personally, I am against the nipple, it is better to once again give the baby a breast. But for formula-fed babies, this may be the way out.

5. If all else fails, as a last resort, use pain relievers approved for children.

Whether to brush a baby’s teeth

We start brushing teeth with toothpaste and a brush (not a fingertip and not a silicone brush) as soon as the first tooth erupted. It is very important!

There is a myth that the earlier milk teeth erupt, the more they are subject to caries. This is wrong. It’s just that most pediatricians still advise starting brushing your teeth with toothpaste not earlier than a year, or even a year and a half.

If you start brushing and flossing your baby’s teeth right away, and use xylitol wipes to brush your teeth after nightly feedings, you can avoid cavities.

Ksenia Voronezhtseva, Expert

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Teeth break through – it even sounds painful. Indeed, when a baby starts teething, it often turns out to be painful. Many children do not sleep well, often cry, some even have a fever. But there are other symptoms that indicate that your baby is going through the period of the appearance of milk teeth.

— Ekaterina Borisovna, please tell us when babies usually start teething?

– Teething times are quite variable. On average, the first teeth come out at 5-7 months, but the process can begin earlier (both at two and at four months) or take up to a year. Some babies are born with teeth already. Everything is very individual and depends on many factors, such as heredity, sufficient intake of calcium in the body, the sex of the child, the climate in the place of residence.

– How fast will teeth cut after the first one appears?

— In both boys and girls, the process of complete eruption of the milk bite usually drags on for 2.5-3 years. The upper incisors appear 2–3 months after the appearance of the lower ones, then at the age of 9–13 months, the upper and lower lateral incisors erupt. From a year to a year and a half, the upper and lower first molars alternately appear, then, by 20 months, the upper and lower canines, by 2-2.5 years, the second molars. However, the sequence and timing of when babies begin to cut their teeth are very arbitrary.

Table and diagram by month: what time do children start teething

— How to understand that a child is teething?

— The appearance of teeth, although physiological, is a real test for a child and his mom and dad. Only recently they experienced colic, a feeding and sleeping regime was established, when suddenly the baby again becomes restless, naughty, refuses to eat, or, conversely, often and greedily grabs a breast or a bottle, sleeps poorly and pulls everything into his mouth. These are sure signs of the beginning of teething.

Some lucky people endure the whole process completely painlessly, and only an occasional tapping of the gum with a spoon reveals the first tooth that has already erupted. But sometimes the moment of teething is so difficult for the baby that it is easy to confuse it with the onset of the disease.

Only a doctor can determine the real cause of the child’s anxiety, and you should definitely contact him if the temperature rises to febrile numbers, severe lethargy, weakness, or, conversely, the baby’s strong excitability, as well as when signs of infection are attached, such as a runny nose, cough, disorders digestion, vomiting, loose stools.

— Ekaterina Borisovna, parents are waiting for the appearance of the first incisors with caution. What symptoms characterize the process in addition to pain discomfort?

– When teeth are being cut, the symptoms are very varied, and everyone is individual. In this case, the symptoms, depending on the location of the cutting teeth, may differ. Usually the most unpleasant sensations accompany the appearance of only the first teeth. All subsequent ones erupt more calmly, and the child practically ceases to pay attention to this process. With the appearance of chewing teeth, pain may resume, but they are not as intense as at the very beginning of eruption. The appearance of the upper teeth is often accompanied by a runny nose: this is due to the proximity of the location and a single network of blood supply to the upper jaw and nasal cavity.

— When is it better to bring down the temperature during teething?

– Antipyretic therapy is usually prescribed when the temperature rises above 38.5 degrees. Subfebrile temperature, up to 38 degrees, should always be brought down in children with organic damage to the central nervous system, with the threat of convulsions, as well as with pronounced changes in the general condition of the child.

— Why should a child’s health be closely monitored during teething? Does teething affect the immune system?

— Teething is a rather complex process involving all systems of a child’s body. The immune system is no exception. At the moment of tooth movement, a traumatic lesion of the gums occurs and, as a result, inflammation occurs in the tissues. Immune cells rush to the inflammatory focus, trying to eliminate it, which somewhat weakens the local protective reaction. In addition, the content of the enzyme lysozyme is reduced in abundant saliva, and it loses its protective properties. In addition, during this period, the child pulls everything into his mouth, trying to scratch itchy gums, which increases the risk of infection and injury to the mucous membrane.

— How can parents tell teething from other problems like a cold?

— Distinguishing a viral infection from teething syndrome is sometimes difficult even for a specialist: very often two conditions occur simultaneously. With eruption syndrome, the temperature rarely exceeds 38-38.5 degrees, the discharge from the nose is abundant, mucous in nature, often transparent. Cough superficial, occurs more often in a horizontal position. All symptoms are accompanied by profuse salivation. The general condition of the child rarely worsens, the child is capricious, whiny, but not lethargic or apathetic.

Teething may also be accompanied by symptoms of dyspepsia such as regurgitation and sometimes even vomiting, loose stools. Unlike an intestinal infection, regurgitation and vomiting are episodic and occur when saliva is abundant.

Fluid stools may be associated with increased motility due to fever – ingestion of large amounts of saliva and intense chewing movements. Stool 1-2 times a day, normal color and smell, without pathological impurities, but softer consistency.

In the event of any symptoms that do not fit into the picture of teething, you should definitely consult a doctor.

– Does teething pain occur in all children?

— Each child has his own pain threshold. The intensity of inflammatory reactions is also different for everyone, so each baby experiences teething in its own way. If one will continuously cry all night, then the other may behave in a completely normal way. It depends on both genetics and the temperament of the baby.

— When teeth are being cut, how can you help a baby? What drugs are allowed to be given to relieve pain?

— Pain relief gels are widely used. However, you should remember the rules for their use. They have a short effect, about 20-30 minutes, but it is not recommended to use them more than five times a day. The gel is applied in a thin layer to avoid an overdose of the drug. And, as in the case of any medicine, do not forget about the possible allergic reaction in the baby.

Only anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve pain quickly and permanently. And there is a lot of BUT here. Any drug is not safe, especially if it is given for the first time. Only a doctor can assess the child’s condition and prescribe anti-inflammatory therapy if necessary, taking into account the risk-benefit ratio.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be given by mouth. The dosage is calculated by the doctor depending on the weight of the child. On the mucosa, gels with local anesthetic and antiseptic effects are used.

— Can folk remedies relieve pain and other symptoms?

— Treatment with folk remedies in our country is very popular, although the world scientific community questions its effectiveness. Only the effect of cold has proven effectiveness, therefore it is recommended to give the child chilled pacifiers and teethers to gnaw. Cold causes vasospasm, reduces swelling and inflammation in the gums, and, as a result, pain temporarily subsides. The effect is short-lived, but still there. It is also useful to massage the gums with a fingertip or a soft brush.

— Ekaterina Borisovna, tell us more about how nipples or chewable toys help with toothache, and how to choose a pacifier and a special teether for a child.

— Gum massage helps baby cope with discomfort. During the massage, itching decreases, the gum tissue softens, and it is easier for the tooth to make its way. But constantly massaging a child’s gums is a very tedious task. He may well engage in self-massage, especially since during this period he himself with pleasure pulls everything into his mouth.

Special pacifiers or teethers will be excellent massage assistants. They differ from ordinary nipples in greater rigidity and a relief surface; they are made of latex or silicone. Many models of teethers are supplemented with a cooling function – inside contains a liquid that can be cooled. Teethers are also made of plastic, wood or even textiles. But, in my opinion, they do not meet safety standards. It is worth choosing brands that have long been widely represented on the children’s goods market.

— What techniques can be used to distract a child from a toothache?

– In this case, there is only one method – to surround the baby with care and attention as much as possible, to take him in your arms more often, to put him on the breast if the child asks. Next to the parents, the baby feels safe, calms down. Children are very sensitive to the behavior and emotions of adults, so it is important for parents to be calm and friendly, to distract the kids with toys, songs, affectionate words. Older children can play finger games. Relaxing massages and long walks are helpful.

Unfortunately, absolutely effective methods do not exist. Parents can only help the baby cope with the problem. But there are a few tips that will help you get through this difficult period.

– Please share them with our readers.

– The rudiments of teeth are laid long before birth. Therefore, a mother during pregnancy should carefully monitor her diet. Sufficient intake of calcium is especially important for the formation of healthy teeth in the baby. But even after birth, calcium should not be forgotten. When breastfeeding, the mother’s diet should contain dairy products or calcium supplements in case of intolerance to cow’s milk proteins by the baby.

Hardening from birth is a guarantee of good immunity. No need to wrap the child in a hundred clothes and be afraid to air the rooms. Walk in any weather and long enough, use a light contrast shower. And then no cold is terrible for the baby.

Also avoid public places, especially during teething. The baby is very vulnerable at this moment. Postpone family visits, shopping, and indoor playgrounds for a while to reduce your child’s risk of infection.

It is also especially important during this period to maintain the optimum temperature in the room. Heat and dry air will only increase discomfort.

Teething is a difficult stage in a child’s life. If the process causes severe discomfort, is accompanied by the appearance of alarming symptoms, high temperature, then you should contact a specialist for help as soon as possible. For the rest, surround the baby with care and attention, pick up nipples, teethers, toys that relieve itching, use medications with the permission of the doctor. The main thing during this period is to be there and help the baby in every possible way to cope with the pain.

* Breast milk is the best food for babies. WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a child’s life and continued breastfeeding after complementary foods are introduced until the age of 2 years.