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.

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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.

At what age do babies start teething?

There are a lot of exciting milestones in your baby’s growth and development. There’s when they roll over for the first time. Then crawling, their first step, their first word, and on and on. And one of the biggest events is when your baby’s smile starts to turn into a toothy grin.

But when do babies get their first tooth? Do teeth come in a certain order? How do you soothe a baby’s sore gums?

Below, we answer these questions, explain other teething symptoms and answer common questions about cleaning baby teeth.

At what age do babies start teething?

The average age for a baby’s first tooth to come in is around 6 months old, but every child is different. Girls’ teeth usually come in a little earlier than boys’ do. But by the time a baby is 12 months old, they typically have 2-4 teeth. And by 3 years old, most kids have all of their primary or “baby” teeth.

How many baby teeth do kids have?

Children have a total of 20 primary teeth.

What order do baby teeth come in?

Baby teeth don’t always come in the same order for each kiddo. There are typical ranges for when certain teeth come in or “erupt,” but those ranges overlap. For example, many babies get their bottom central incisors sometime between 6 months old and 10 months old, and their top central incisors between 8 months old and 12 months old. But it’s also possible that a baby can start teething as early as 2 months old.

Baby teeth chart

Again, the exact timing and order that babies’ teeth come in can vary. But here’s when they generally tend to come in:

• Bottom central incisors: 6-10 months
• Top central incisors: 8-12 months
• Bottom lateral incisors: 10-16 months
• Top lateral incisors: 9-13 months
• Bottom canines: 17-23 months
• Top canines: 16-22 months
• Bottom first molars: 14-18 months
• Top first molars: 13-19 months
• Bottom second molars: 23-31 months
• Top second molars: 25-33 months

How do I know if my baby is teething? Watch for these baby teething symptoms

Not all babies show signs of teething. But common teething symptoms can include:

• Increased fussiness
• Increased drooling, which can cause coughing and lead to a rash on baby’s face, chin or chest
• Chewing on their hands or gnawing on objects
• Rubbing their cheek or ear
• Red or swollen gums that appear to be bulging
• A low-grade fever (less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)

Usually, signs of teething will start a few days before a new tooth comes in, and go away once it has.

Is teething painful for babies?

Some babies will experience discomfort or pain while teething, which helps explain some of the teething symptoms you’ll notice. Gum soreness and swelling can lead to fussiness, or cause your little one to rub their cheeks or chew on anything they can get their hands on. The good news is that most discomfort will pass quickly.

Which are the most painful teeth for babies as they come in?

Typically, the first teeth to come in are the most uncomfortable for babies, as the feeling of a tooth coming in is new and unfamiliar. The molars can also be painful because they’re larger than other teeth.

How long does teething fussiness last?

If your baby is fussy during teething, you can expect it to last for a couple days to a week before the tooth erupts through the gums. If it lasts longer than this, check in with your child’s doctor.

When to talk to a doctor about teething concerns

Again, teething symptoms are usually mild and improve in a couple of days. But talk to your child’s doctor if:

• Symptoms are prolonged or get more severe (such as constant irritability or especially aggressive chewing)
• Your child has a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Your child gets diarrhea alongside teething symptoms

How to soothe baby’s gums during teething

If your baby is showing signs of discomfort when they’ve got a tooth coming in, there are a few different things you can do to make them more comfortable.

• Wipe away drool from their chin regularly – This can help prevent skin irritation and rashes.
• Massage your baby’s gums – You can simply use a clean finger or chilled teething ring.
• Give your baby a cold washcloth or chilled teething toy to chew on – If your baby has already been introduced to solid foods that can be chilled, you can also use those. Only use a fridge to chill things (rather than the freezer), and don’t use toys that have liquid in them.
• Talk with your child’s doctor about over-the-counter pain relievers – Medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help relieve pain and inflammation. Just make sure you’re using one that is meant for babies, and you follow all the instructions on the label.

Don’t try to relieve your baby’s symptoms with teething gels or teething tablets, as they may contain harmful ingredients. If you have questions about a method or teething product that isn’t listed above, talk to your child’s doctor.

Baby oral care: Answers to frequently asked questions

With the arrival of teeth comes the need to keep them clean. Here’s what to know to get your baby’s dental health off to a good start.

When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth has come in.

How do I brush my baby’s teeth?

Use a small, soft toothbrush or washcloth twice a day. Start with water or a fluoride-free training toothpaste. Once your child is around 3 years old, you can start using small amounts of fluoride toothpaste.

Flossing should start when your child has teeth that have come in next to each other. If regular floss is too tricky, try using a floss pick.

Why do I need to brush my baby’s teeth?

Even though baby teeth will fall out, they’re still important. Healthy baby teeth support the health, spacing and alignment of the permanent teeth that come in after them. And getting your child used to regular brushing early on will help them form good oral hygiene habits.

Plus, tooth decay can start at a very young age. Children with tooth decay are more likely to have ear and sinus infections, and develop conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. Healthy teeth help children speak quickly and clearly, too, which can give them more confidence as they grow up.

What else can I do to keep my baby’s teeth healthy?

If your child is still nursing or drinking a bottle at bedtime or overnight, talk with their doctor about when it makes sense to wean them from these feedings. This is because the sugars in your own milk or formula can sit on your baby’s teeth for prolonged periods of time overnight.

Most babies are able to sleep through the night without needing to eat sometime between 4 and 6 months old. And once they’re around 12 months old, nighttime bottles before bed can usually be stopped as well.

You can also take steps to reduce or discourage pacifier use or thumb sucking. Pacifiers specifically can be helpful early in your child’s development. They can provide comfort and have even been shown to reduce the risk of SIDs. But as your child gets older, pacifiers – and aggressive thumb sucking – can cause issues with tooth alignment.

When does my baby need to visit the dentist?

Along with brushing and flossing, regular dental visits are key to your baby’s dental health. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids see a dentist by their first birthday, or within 6 months of their first tooth coming in.

During these visits, the dentist will examine your child’s soft tissues, gums and jaws. The earlier your child sees a dentist, the more likely they are to have good oral health in the future.

Teething of the first teeth in children

The first teeth in a baby appear most often at the age of 5-6 months. This is such a generally accepted average standard. Although it is quite possible that the first tooth will appear in a child at 3 months , and even in a month or two.

Mom notices with surprise that two pretty little white teeth are peeking out from the lower gum. The joy is great, but then anxiety begins – is this good, is it right? We want to quickly reassure the parents – this is quite normal. Every child is different and goes through different stages of development in their own way. And so it turns out that the intrauterine development of the tooth germs passed quickly, the child received a sufficient amount of the necessary elements and minerals for the growth of milk teeth. The rudiments of teeth are formed approximately at the 10th week of pregnancy, by the time of birth the teeth are already mineralized, although they are located under the gums. Why is that? The answer is in the article “Why children are born without teeth.”

Signs of teething in children

An important role is played by the nutrition of the baby, as well as the factor of heredity. That is why the age of the baby at the time of the appearance of the first teeth can vary greatly. By the way, our ancestors had many beliefs related to teeth. The first tooth in a child – signs : if the baby teething very early – within a year he will have a brother or sister. And yet, it was believed that children with early teeth are very smart. This is true, such children in everything develop faster than others. They also have an early replacement of milk teeth with permanent ones. Parents should be responsible for their health, because the early appearance of milk teeth and their early replacement cause an increased risk of hypoplasia and caries, and children are more prone to anemia and hypovitaminosis.

Parents are very worried about the question: Are children born with teeth? Yes, such cases occur, although quite rarely. Once this fact scared people very much, a child born with teeth was considered the embodiment of dark forces, and it was very difficult for him in life.

Today we declare with responsibility – these are all prejudices and nonsense. It’s just that in the formation of the body there was such a failure. Unfortunately, sometimes there is an incorrect development of certain organs, their absence or a paired number is observed. So it is with teeth. It happens that a child’s teeth grow out of order, crooked or erupt second row of teeth . Often this is a hereditary trait – many members of the same family can have similar problems. This, of course, is unpleasant, but not fatal.

Modern dentistry treats various anomalies of the dentition without consequences for the overall development of a person. No need to be frightened, fill your head with various bad thoughts and experiences. And if the child was born with teeth , then the only trouble is that at first it can hurt the mother when the baby sucks the breast until she gets used to it. Don’t even talk about it to anyone. Your children are wonderful, full-fledged people, they will grow up big and healthy. And our experts will help you professionally and quickly get rid of all problems. In the next article, we will tell you which signs of teething in children, how to help your baby easily survive the difficult period of teething, and how to keep them healthy and beautiful.

Can teeth cut in 3 months

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Teething at three months of age: norm or pathology

When the baby very small, parents often associate his anxiety, fever and the appearance of other undesirable symptoms with the disease, but not with the appearance of the first teeth. After all, the average eruption time is within 6-8 months. But pediatric dentistry knows many cases where the process begins earlier than these time frames. Therefore, parents need to prepare to help the child at any time.

Teething at 3 months: what parents need to know

Noticing changes in the behavior and deterioration of the baby’s well-being, parents wonder if teeth can erupt at 3 months. Although such timing is not typical, it is worth knowing that the appearance of incisors at this age is possible. By the way, there are rare cases when a child is already born with erupted teeth.

Deviations in both directions from the average time frames are considered normal. Each child’s body is individual. In addition, the timing of eruption is influenced by various factors:

• course of pregnancy – milk bite is laid in the womb at 7-8 weeks;
• mother’s diet – contribute to the rapid eruption of the use of pregnant dairy products in large quantities;
• additional intake of mineral complexes – in particular vitamin D and C;
• genetic predisposition to early eruption;
• climatic conditions – the process of eruption begins earlier among the inhabitants of the south.

In some cases, early tooth growth may indicate a pathology, in particular endocrine disorders. But it is believed that it is not the timing that speaks about the healthy development of the baby. What matters is what teeth climb. It is important that the order in which they appear is observed. The central teeth grow first from below, followed by their antagonists from above. Then the lateral incisors appear, after them the fangs (first the upper ones, then the lower ones). The molars on the lower and upper jaws are cut last.

Symptoms of teething

How not to confuse the process of the appearance of the first teeth with a certain disease? The following symptoms may indicate teething:

1. Swelling of the gums, friability, redness. Sometimes the tooth is visible through the tissues. In some cases, hematomas form.
2. Irritability. The baby may be disturbed by pain, itching, so he becomes restless, tearful. The child’s sleep is disturbed due to discomfort.
3. Active sucking. When the baby actively sucks on the breast or nipple, in this way he tries to relieve the discomfort from the pressure of the tooth on the gum from the inside. In some cases, the baby, on the contrary, loses its appetite.
4. Increased body temperature (often up to 37.5°). In most cases, this is a short-term symptom. A higher temperature indicates the addition of a bacterial infection.
5. Increased salivation. Such a symptom can not only indicate teething. At 3 months, this is a physiological process. Therefore, it is worth taking into account other signs. When the first teeth appear, salivation may cause a rash around the mouth. Since at the age of three months the baby is often in a supine position, saliva flows down the walls of the throat. It enters the nasal passages, which provokes rhinitis. When mucus gets into the throat, a cough also occurs, which often manifests itself in a dream.

These symptoms do not occur all at once, but they still cause concern for parents. They worry about whether teeth can be cut at such an early age, and here they still have to deal with the deterioration of the baby’s well-being.

Since many of the symptoms are associated with infectious diseases, it is best to take the child to a doctor. You should not hesitate to visit a specialist if the baby is lethargic, has a high temperature that does not fall, rashes appear on the oral mucosa, and vomiting occurs. The last symptom does not always indicate a complication. It can also occur due to mucus getting into the stomach.

When an infection is added, the child develops diarrhea. This condition requires careful monitoring, since frequent and loose stools can provoke dehydration.

How to alleviate the child’s condition during teething

We have already dealt with the question of whether teeth can erupt at the age of three months. But when this process begins, parents face another dilemma – what to do to alleviate the child’s condition. In such a stressful situation, he needs bodily and psycho-emotional contact – carry the baby in your arms, rock him, gently talk to him. This will help relieve nervousness. To eliminate other unwanted symptoms, the following methods are used:

1. Gum massage. Do it with your fingertip, after washing your hands. In order not to injure the child, you must also cut your nails. There are also silicone fingertips with bristles or pimples on sale. To determine the intensity of massaging movements, you need to monitor the reaction of the baby.
2. Refrig. Since ordinary teethers are not suitable for a 3-month-old baby, other alternative methods are used – they cool the nipple or apply a gauze napkin soaked in cold boiled water.
3. Pharmaceutical products. If you notice that the baby’s incisors are starting to climb, you should consult with the pediatrician which gel or ointment to choose. Not all drugs are suitable for the smallest, but there is still a choice. For example, “Kamistad” or “Kalgel” are safe for three-month-old children.