How early can teething begin. When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Symptoms, and Timeline
When do babies typically start teething. What are the common signs and symptoms of teething. How long does the teething process usually last. Which teeth come in first during teething. How many baby teeth will appear in total. What is the timeline for different teeth to emerge.
The Onset of Teething: Timing and Variations
Teething is a significant milestone in a baby’s development, often eagerly anticipated by parents. The process typically begins between 6 and 12 months of age, but this can vary considerably from one child to another. In rare instances, some newborns may be born with a tooth already present, or a tooth may emerge within the first few weeks of life.
Is there a normal range for teething to begin? Indeed, the age range for teething can be quite broad. While most babies start teething between 6 and 12 months, some may see their first tooth as early as 3 or 4 months, while others might not experience tooth eruption until 14 months or even later. Genetic factors may influence this timing.
Should parents be concerned if teething starts later than expected? It’s crucial to remember that tooth development is not a competition. Each baby develops at their own pace, and delayed teething is not necessarily a cause for concern. However, if you have any worries about your baby’s dental development, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider or dentist.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Teething
As baby teeth grow and break through the gums, several signs and symptoms may become apparent. These can include:
- Increased irritability and fussiness
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Excessive drooling
- Tendency to chew on objects
- Sore and swollen gums
- Slightly elevated temperature
Do all babies experience the same teething symptoms? Not necessarily. The teething experience can vary greatly from one baby to another. Some may sail through the process with minimal discomfort, while others might exhibit multiple symptoms.
Can teething cause a high fever? While teething may cause a slight increase in body temperature, it’s unlikely to result in a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If your baby develops a high fever or seems particularly uncomfortable, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional, as these symptoms may be unrelated to teething.
The Teething Timeline: Which Teeth Emerge When?
Understanding the typical order of tooth emergence can help parents anticipate their baby’s teething journey. Here’s a general timeline for both upper and lower teeth:
Upper Teeth
- Central incisors: 8 to 12 months
- Lateral incisors: 9 to 13 months
- Canines (cuspids): 16 to 22 months
- First molars: 13 to 19 months
- Second molars: 25 to 33 months
Lower Teeth
- Central incisors: 6 to 10 months
- Lateral incisors: 10 to 16 months
- Canines (cuspids): 17 to 23 months
- First molars: 14 to 18 months
- Second molars: 23 to 31 months
Is this timeline the same for all babies? While this timeline provides a general guide, it’s important to note that individual variations are common. Some babies may deviate from this pattern, and that’s perfectly normal.
The Duration of Teething: How Long Does It Last?
The entire teething process typically spans about two years. By the time a child reaches their second or third birthday, they should have a full set of 20 primary teeth. However, the discomfort associated with teething doesn’t last continuously throughout this period.
Does teething pain persist throughout the entire process? Fortunately, no. Teething discomfort usually comes and goes, with symptoms typically occurring in the days leading up to a tooth’s emergence. Once the tooth breaks through the gum, the soreness tends to subside until the next tooth begins to emerge.
The Full Set: How Many Baby Teeth Will Appear?
A complete set of primary teeth, also known as baby teeth, consists of 20 teeth. These teeth usually finish coming in by the time a child is between 2.5 and 3 years old. However, the journey of dental development doesn’t end there.
What happens to baby teeth as a child grows? Around the age of 6 or 7, children begin to lose their primary teeth to make way for permanent teeth, also called secondary teeth. This process of losing baby teeth and gaining permanent ones continues for several years, resulting in a mix of primary and secondary teeth for a considerable period.
How many permanent teeth will eventually replace the baby teeth? A full set of adult teeth consists of 32 teeth, including wisdom teeth. The process of getting all permanent teeth can extend into early adulthood.
Soothing Strategies for Teething Babies
While teething can be uncomfortable for some babies, there are several strategies parents can employ to help ease their little one’s discomfort. It’s important to note that what works for one baby may not work for another, so some experimentation might be necessary.
What are some effective ways to soothe a teething baby? Here are some tried-and-tested methods:
- Gently massaging the baby’s gums with a clean finger
- Offering a cool teething ring or a clean, wet washcloth to chew on
- Providing safe, chewable toys designed for teething
- Using over-the-counter pain relief medications (after consulting with a healthcare provider)
- Offering cold foods to older babies who have started solids
Are there any teething remedies to avoid? Yes, certain remedies should be avoided due to potential risks. These include teething necklaces, which pose a choking hazard, and topical numbing gels containing benzocaine, which can lead to a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia.
Dental Care During and After Teething
Proper dental care is crucial from the moment the first tooth appears. Establishing good oral hygiene habits early on can set the foundation for lifelong dental health.
When should parents start brushing their baby’s teeth? Dental care should begin as soon as the first tooth emerges. Use a soft-bristled, infant-sized toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) to gently clean the tooth and gums twice daily.
At what age should a child first visit the dentist? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children should have their first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth appears, whichever comes first.
Potential Complications and When to Seek Help
While teething is a normal part of development, there are instances when parents should seek professional advice. Understanding the difference between normal teething symptoms and potential issues is important for ensuring a child’s health and comfort.
When should parents consult a healthcare provider during the teething process? It’s advisable to seek medical attention if your baby:
- Develops a fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
- Shows signs of severe pain or distress
- Has swollen, red gums for an extended period
- Experiences prolonged loss of appetite or difficulty eating
- Shows signs of dehydration
- Has not developed any teeth by 18 months of age
Can teething cause serious health issues? While teething itself is not typically associated with serious health problems, it’s important to note that some symptoms often attributed to teething (such as high fever, diarrhea, or prolonged irritability) may actually be signs of other health issues. Therefore, it’s crucial not to dismiss persistent or severe symptoms as merely teething-related without professional evaluation.
Nutrition and Teething: Impact on Eating Habits
Teething can sometimes affect a baby’s eating habits, which may concern parents. Understanding these changes and knowing how to address them can help ensure that teething doesn’t interfere with a child’s nutrition.
How might teething affect a baby’s appetite? Some babies may experience a temporary decrease in appetite due to gum soreness. Others might want to eat more frequently but take in less food at each feeding. These changes are usually short-lived and resolve as the tooth emerges.
What foods are best for teething babies? For babies who have started solids, cool, soft foods can be soothing. Options might include:
- Chilled yogurt or applesauce
- Cold pureed fruits or vegetables
- Soft, cooled foods like mashed potatoes or pasta
It’s important to avoid hard foods that could break into small pieces and pose a choking hazard. Always supervise your baby during feeding times, especially when trying new foods or textures.
Teething and Sleep: Managing Nighttime Discomfort
Teething can sometimes disrupt a baby’s sleep patterns, leading to restless nights for both babies and parents. Understanding how to manage nighttime teething discomfort can help everyone get better rest.
How can parents help a teething baby sleep better? Here are some strategies that may help:
- Maintain a consistent bedtime routine to help your baby relax
- Offer a teething toy or pacifier (if your baby uses one) for comfort
- Gently massage your baby’s gums before bedtime
- Consider pain relief medication if recommended by your pediatrician
- Keep the room at a comfortable temperature, as overheating can exacerbate discomfort
Is it normal for teething to cause frequent night wakings? While some sleep disruption during teething is normal, frequent or prolonged night wakings may indicate other issues. If sleep problems persist, it’s advisable to consult with your pediatrician to rule out other potential causes and discuss appropriate sleep strategies.
Cultural Perspectives on Teething
Teething is a universal experience, but cultural beliefs and practices surrounding it can vary widely around the world. Understanding these different perspectives can be both interesting and enlightening.
How do different cultures approach teething? Here are a few examples:
- In some African cultures, it’s believed that rubbing certain herbs on a baby’s gums can ease teething pain
- In parts of India, it’s traditional to perform a ceremony when a baby’s first tooth appears
- Some European cultures have a tradition of giving teething babies a silver spoon to chew on, believing it has soothing properties
While cultural practices can be meaningful, it’s important to prioritize safety and consult with healthcare providers before trying any unfamiliar teething remedies.
The Connection Between Teething and Developmental Milestones
Teething often coincides with other developmental milestones, leading some parents to wonder if there’s a connection. While teething itself doesn’t cause other developments, the timing can sometimes appear related.
Is teething linked to other developmental progress? Teething often occurs around the same time as other developmental advances, such as:
- Increased mobility (crawling, pulling up to stand)
- Enhanced fine motor skills
- Language development
- Social and emotional growth
However, it’s important to note that these developments are separate processes. A delay in teething doesn’t necessarily indicate delays in other areas of development, and vice versa.
Teething and Oral Health: Long-term Considerations
While the teething phase is temporary, it sets the stage for a child’s long-term oral health. Understanding the connection between early dental experiences and future oral health can help parents prioritize proper care from the start.
How does early dental care impact long-term oral health? Establishing good oral hygiene habits during the teething phase can:
- Prevent early childhood cavities
- Promote healthy gum development
- Encourage positive attitudes towards dental care
- Set the foundation for proper oral care throughout life
What can parents do to ensure good long-term oral health? Regular dental check-ups, proper brushing and flossing habits, a balanced diet low in sugary foods and drinks, and addressing any dental issues promptly are all crucial for maintaining good oral health throughout childhood and beyond.
When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs & Symptoms
Your baby’s first tooth and those adorable toothy grins are milestones you’ll look for and treasure. If you’re wondering when they will appear, it’s good to know that the timing of teething varies widely from baby to baby. Read on to discover when your baby may start teething, the signs and symptoms of teething, how long teething typically lasts, and much more.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Teething often starts when babies are between 6 and 12 months old, though in some cases those first teeth may appear earlier or even a little later. In some very rare cases newborns may be born with a tooth already erupted, or have a tooth come through in the first few weeks.
What if Teething Starts Later Than You Expect?
It’s helpful to remember that growing teeth is not a competitive sport, and that your baby’s teeth will arrive when they are ready. So, don’t be concerned if your friends’ children get teeth before your baby does.
The age range can be quite broad when it comes to teething. Though it’s likely that teething may begin between 6 and 12 months, the first tooth may appear as early as 3 or 4 months or as late as 14 months. Some babies might even be slightly outside of this range on either side. Genetics may play a role in the timing.
Of course, if you’re concerned about your baby’s teeth (or lack thereof) or have any questions about dental care, speak to her healthcare provider or dentist.
Which Teeth Come in First?
How Long Does Teething Last?
The duration of the teething process can vary. At some point between your child’s second and third birthdays, however, your little one will have a full set of 20 primary teeth. This means the total teething period lasts about two years.
If your little one has teething discomfort, know that this will probably come and go. Teething symptoms are typically experienced in the days before a tooth erupts; then the soreness subsides until a new tooth starts to come in.
How Many Baby Teeth Will Appear in Total?
Your little one’s first set of teeth are known as primary or baby teeth. By the time she’s 2 and a half to 3 years old she will have a full set of 20 baby teeth.
When your child is around 6 or 7 years old, the baby teeth will start falling out to make way for her permanent teeth, sometimes called secondary teeth. It takes many years for all 32 secondary teeth to come in, so for a while there your child will have a mix of primary and secondary teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Teething
As the baby teeth grow and break through the gums, teething symptoms can include:
Irritability. Your little one might seem a little fussier and may cry more than usual.
Disturbed sleep. Teething pain or discomfort may cause your baby to wake up during the night.
More drooling. It’s common for a teething baby to drool a lot when teething. Experts say the extra saliva can help soothe the tender gums.
Chewing on things. When your baby is teething, she may gnaw on toys, a teething ring, or even her own fingers to help relieve the pressure she feels on her gums. Chewing on something firm helps massage the gums and helps ease any discomfort as the tooth tries to erupt.
Sore, swollen gums. The spot where a tooth is coming through may be tender, red, and swollen.
Low-grade temperature. During teething, your little one’s temperature may be slightly elevated, but teething is unlikely to cause a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit. If your baby seems very uncomfortable or has a temperature of at least 101 degrees (or at least 100.4 degrees for a baby under 3 months) , contact your little one’s healthcare provider, who can determine what’s causing the fever.
Teething Timeline
Top Teeth
Central incisors (the front teeth): 8 to 12 months
Lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front teeth): 9 to 13 months
Canines, or cuspids (the sharp, pointy teeth on either side of the lateral incisors): 16 to 22 months
First molars (the back teeth used to grind food): 13 to 19 months
Second molars (the back teeth that fill in the last gaps): 25 to 33 months
Bottom Teeth
Central incisors (the front teeth): 6 to 10 months
Lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front teeth): 10 to 16 months
Canines, or cuspids (the sharp, pointy teeth on either side of the lateral incisors): 17 to 23 months
First molars (the back teeth used to grind food): 14 to 18 months
Second molars (the back teeth that fill in the last gaps): 23 to 31 months
How to Soothe Your Teething Baby
Teething can be uncomfortable for some babies, and as there’s no magic technique that works for every child, you may have to experiment to find something that helps your little one feel better. Among the many ways to soothe your teething baby are these two quick ideas:
Give a teething ring. Chewing on one of these rings lets your teething baby massage her own gums. Some types can be cooled in the fridge to give extra relief, but don’t put a teething ring in the freezer—this can make it too hard and cold for your little one’s sensitive gums. To keep your little one safe, never tie a teething ring to a string that’s looped around your baby’s neck or clipped to her top.
Massage your baby’s gums. Using a clean finger, gently massage your baby’s sore gums.
How to Care for Your Baby’s New Teeth
It’s important to start caring for your baby’s teeth (or tooth) as soon as the first one pokes through. Those baby teeth have to last several years before they’re replaced with adult teeth, and establishing good dental hygiene habits early on will help set your little one up for healthy teeth and gums throughout her life.
Taking steps to prevent cavities and tooth decay in the baby teeth is just as important as it is with adult teeth, because decay in these teeth can affect the permanent teeth that follow and cause other dental problems like pain and infections.
Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth
Regular brushing is an important part of dental care. The key thing at this stage is to gently clean baby teeth twice a day and to get your little one used to the brushing routine.
Here are some guidelines for brushing your baby’s teeth, as well as some tips on teaching your older child how to get the job done, with your help:
Brush at least twice a day, always brushing after your child has had anything sugary as well as after the last meal or drink of the day
Put a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste on a soft-bristled toothbrush designed for your baby’s age. Carefully brush each tooth, making sure to reach all the surfaces, including the sides and the inside surface. Once your child is about 2 years old you can start using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. You’ll need to teach him how to rinse and spit, rather than swallowing the toothpaste.
The direction of the brush stroke doesn’t really matter. The key is to clean each tooth from all angles, making sure you reach the back teeth as well
For now you’ll need to brush your baby’s teeth. As he reaches the toddler and preschooler stage, help him begin brush his own teeth, under your close supervision. You’ll need to lend a hand until he’s 7 or 8 years old to ensure those teeth get a thorough clean. Here are some ideas for how to make brushing more fun for both of you.
Diet
Your little one’s diet is a big part of dental health. Avoid giving your child sugary drinks like fruit juice and sodas, or sticky sweet snacks like gum, toffee, and sticky caramel. Also, don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula, juice, or any other sweet drink, as this can cause the sugary liquid to pool in his mouth and lead to tooth decay.
For more on caring for your baby’s teeth, check out our article on dental care for children.
Dental Checkups
Getting professional care from a dentist is crucial for the healthy development of your child’s teeth, mouth, and gums. Usually, the first dentist visit should take place within about six months of the first tooth poking through or by the time your child is 12 months old, whichever comes first.
Of course, if you have any questions or concerns, you can make an appointment at any time. Your baby’s healthcare provider will also check your baby’s teeth and gums at his regular well-child checkups.
When to See Your Baby’s Healthcare Provider
If your little one is showing symptoms like fever, irritability, or diarrhea, or any other signs of childhood illness, and you’re not sure whether it’s related to teething or something else, it’s safest to call your healthcare provider so an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can be made.
You should also contact your baby’s healthcare provider if you’re concerned about how much discomfort your baby is in as a result of teething. The provider may recommend some form of pain relief while also making sure that nothing else is wrong to cause the elevated levels of pain or discomfort. Do not use teething gels to numb the gums, as these are dangerous.
You’ll also want to consult your baby’s healthcare provider or dentist if your baby has a tooth problem or injury, such as a broken or chipped tooth.
Interesting Facts About Baby Teeth
Want to know more about teething and those white-as-can-be baby teeth? Here are some fun facts about your little one’s teeth:
On average, about four teeth will poke through every six months during the teething process
Girls’ teeth may erupt a little sooner than boys’ teeth
The bottom teeth tend to erupt before the same type of tooth on the top
Teeth usually erupt in symmetrical pairs; in other words, one tooth on the right side of the jaw and the same type of tooth on the left side of the jaw will poke through at roughly the same time
Your child’s primary teeth are smaller and whiter than the permanent teeth that will replace them in a few years’ time
From around the age of 4, your child’s face and jaw will begin to grow and change shape, and this will create gaps in his smile as the baby teeth won’t catch up in size. This is completely normal—it’s the mouth’s way of making space for the bigger adult teeth that will follow.
Your baby’s secondary teeth will be coming in when he is about 7 or 8 years old. Because it will take a little while before your child has a full set of adult teeth, for several years your child will have a mix of baby and adult teeth.
Your baby has 20 primary teeth but will have many more secondary teeth. By the time your child is in his teens or early 20s, he’ll have between 28 and 32 adult teeth.
The Bottom Line
Teething can sometimes be a challenging time for your baby and you. Try to keep in mind how important those teeth are, helping your child chew and bite into the nutritious foods that are fueling his growth and development.
If you’re still waiting for that first tooth, know that it will be here soon enough, and more will be on the way. Each new tooth that emerges will make that smile even more adorable than it was before.
Take good care of your baby’s tiny teeth and before you know it the gaps in your little one’s smile will be filled in with some of the cutest, whitest teeth you’ve ever seen!
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.
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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.
Teething in a child: timing, care, ways to relieve pain
Children will definitely appreciate the parental contribution to maintaining dental health when they grow up. In order to help the baby from the very beginning, it is necessary to know the structural features, the stages of formation and the correct order of teething.
Teeth development before eruption
The health of your baby’s teeth should be taken care of long before they erupt. It is useful for expectant mothers to know that the rudiments of milk teeth are formed already at the 7-8th week of intrauterine development, and permanent ones at the end of 4 months. Not just teething timing, but even level enamel mineralization both milk and molars depends on how the pregnancy proceeds. Therefore, it is so critical that a woman receives all the vitamins, microelements and is as healthy as possible.
But not only food is important. The results of the research showed that in the presence of industrial harmful substances in the environment of the expectant mother during pregnancy and numerous stressful situations, the formation of all dental tissues is disrupted in the child and the timing of the appearance of milk teeth is shifted. Among children born to women with high blood pressure, late eruption of temporary teeth was noted in 56.7%. Approximately one third of the examined children born to mothers with heart defects revealed late eruption of temporary teeth, as well as deviations in the pairing and sequence of their eruption. The duration of pregnancy also plays a role. There is a pronounced dependence of the timing of the eruption of the first teeth on the degree of prematurity: the earlier the baby was born, the later the first teeth erupt [1, 2] .
Why baby teeth are needed
Nature has conceived the correct order and timing of teething in children. Evolutionarily, this is due to the need to form the bite and jaw bones for chewing and speech. Over the years, the bones grow, and the milk teeth, which at the beginning of their appearance fit snugly against each other, diverge by the age of 6-7, forming wide, natural interdental spaces for this period – tremas and diastemas.
There are only 20 teeth in the milk bite. This is due to the fact that they must be correctly placed in the small children’s jaw of the first years of a baby’s life, and excludes crowding of teeth that provokes dental diseases. The last of the milk teeth are replaced at the age of 10-12 years. However, they are very important for the physiological formation of the jawbones and permanent occlusion.
Proper growth and health of milk teeth help:
rebuild the body from lactophoric to a mixed type of nutrition;
reserve space for the normal positioning of future molars;
form a mixed bite.
There is an erroneous opinion that milk teeth in case of infection with caries can not be treated, but immediately removed. But modern dentists are against such tactics. Early removal is fraught with displacement of neighboring milk teeth and the appearance of problems already with an adult bite. Therefore, it is so important to maintain the presence and health of all milk teeth until the moment when permanent teeth erupt on their own [3] .
The structure of milk teeth
Temporary teeth have thinner enamel, and their internal pulp cavity is larger compared to permanent ones. All this makes the tooth lighter, which helps with the eruption of permanent teeth, but at the same time accelerates the development of caries and pulpitis. However, there are bonuses: by the time the molars begin to erupt, which will remain with the child until the end of life, the roots of milk teeth even dissolve to ensure their rapid and relatively painless loss.
Terms of eruption of milk teeth
Teething is a genetically programmed event that occurs at a certain period. Physiological teething is characterized by three main features: certain timing, pairing and sequence of teething. Galaktionova M. Yu.
Children’s milk teething rates differ depending on their ethnicity. But as studies show, in general, the world is experiencing a reduction in the time from birth to the moment when the first tooth appears. This is due, according to most researchers, to the global acceleration of human development [1] . How and when milk teeth erupt is one of the indicators of a child’s physical development.
Causes of violation of the order and timing of teething in children can be:
heredity;
climatic conditions;
nature of feeding;
certain diseases, such as rickets.
The eruption rates for milk teeth according to the American Dental Association are presented in the table.
Baby teeth | Upper jaw eruption / month | Lower jaw eruption / month |
Center cutter | 8-12 | 6-10 |
Lateral cutter | 9-13 | 10-16 |
Fang | 16-22 | 17-23 |
First molar | 13-19 | 14-18 |
Second molar | 25-33 | 23-31 |
The specified periods are average indicators, varying depending on individual and family characteristics [4,5] . But the sequence of appearance of teeth is essential, and it is better to track and record it. From a physiological point of view, the correct order of eruption of milk teeth in children is important for bite formation .
Teething aid
The appearance of milk teeth is not an easy process not only for the children themselves, but also for their parents. The most common teething symptoms:
swelling and redness of the gums;
excessive salivation;
itching and urge to keep hands, toys in mouth;
capriciousness of a child;
sleep disorder;
refusal to breast, bottle or complementary foods;
temperature increase;
stool disorders;
runny nose.
The following will help you get through this period as comfortably as possible:
special teething rings that relieve itching, especially with a cooling effect;
local anesthetic dental gels;
antipyretic and analgesic preparations;
Gentle silicone fingertip massage to soothe and relieve your baby [6]
Baby Teeth Care
Once the first tooth has erupted, don’t put off going to the dentist. Schedule a visit (at least once every 3-4 months). And after the first birthday, it is also desirable to be observed by an orthodontist. If there are no problems, visits to him should be repeated once a year [7,8]
Proper care at home is important.
Milk teeth are suitable for an ultra-soft toothbrush with a small head.
Children’s mouth rinses are used from about 4 years old or from the time the child can spit.
Parents should supervise the brushing of preschool children’s teeth and, if necessary, help and clean missed areas.
Adults should teach their children to rinse their mouth after meals from a very young age.
Until the child has learned to spit on his own, toothpaste should not contain fluorides.
A bathroom timer or a favorite song helps you stick to the 2-minute brushing time.
Solid food should be included in the diet daily in sufficient quantities to properly form the bite and stimulate the gums.
These simple tips help keep baby teeth healthy from the very beginning until they are naturally replaced by permanent teeth.
List of sources
Izmestieva OV, Galaktionova M. Yu., Manashev GG Characteristics of exogenous and endogenous factors affecting the eruption of temporary teeth in children. 2012 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/harakteristika-ekzogennyh-i-endogennyh-faktorov-vliyayuschih-na-prorezyvanie-vremennyh-zubov-u-detey (date of access: 21.02.2020)
Galaktionova M. Yu., Izmest’eva OV Timing of eruption of temporary teeth and the nature of feeding children in the first year of life. 2012 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-prorezyvaniya-vremennyh-zubov-i-harakter-vskarmlivaniya-detey-pervogo-goda-zhizni (date of access: 02/21/2020)
Iordanishvili AK, Korovin NV, Serikov AA Anatomical and topometric characteristics of the jaws during eruption and retention of wisdom teeth. 2017 //https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/anatomo-topometricheskie-harakteristiki-chelyustey-pri-prorezyvanii-i-retentsii-zubov-mudrosti (Accessed: 02/21/2020)
Bimbas ES, Saipeeva MM, Shishmareva AS Timing of eruption of permanent teeth in children of primary school age. 2016 //https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-prorezyvaniya-postoyannyh-zubov-u-detey-mladshego-shkolnogo-vozrasta (date of access: 02/21/2020)
Shilova N., Berzina S., Brinkmane A., Dulevska I., Umbraszko S., Briede I. Timing and sequence of eruption of primary teeth and factors influencing them. 2017 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/sroki-i-posledovatelnost-prorezyvaniya-molochnyh-zubov-i-vliyayuschie-na-nih-faktory (date of access: 02/21/2020)
Bogdanova NA, Zueva TE How to help a child with teething? A new look at an old problem. 2019 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kak-pomoch-rebenku-pri-prorezyvanii-zubov-novyy-vzglyad-na-staruyu-problemu (date of access: 02/21/2020)
Ayupova FS Tactics of treatment of children with anomalies in the eruption of permanent posterior teeth. 2013 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/taktika-lecheniya-detey-s-anomaliyami-prorezyvaniya-postoyannyh-bokovyh-zubov (date of access: 21.02.2020)
Gatalsky VV Control of the mesiodistal size of the dentition as one of the aspects of the prevention of dental anomalies. 2005 // https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/kontrol-meziodistalnogo-razmera-zubnogo-ryada-kak-odin-iz-aspektov-profilaktiki-zubochelyustnyh-anomaliy (date of access: 21.02.2020)
Teething in children, what you need to know
All parents know that teething is a difficult period in the life of every child, because he does not sleep well, is naughty and tries to gnaw everything he can reach. But the most dangerous thing is that at this time the baby is vulnerable to many infections. We will talk about how teeth should be cut normally, why the baby’s body cannot cope with the infection, and what symptoms indicate that it is time to go to the doctor.
How teeth are cut
Teething is a complex process, because at this time tissues are formed, teeth roots grow, gums are rebuilt. Moreover, the teeth begin to form even during pregnancy, starting from the 6th week. Around the same time, calcium begins to be deposited in the tissues of future teeth.
Next comes the most interesting part – teething. It is considered normal if the teeth begin to cut from 4 to 7 months. But each body is unique, so everyone’s teeth are cut differently. It depends on many things, for example:
– From genetics. Often the age at which a child’s teeth began to cut depends on when his relatives – mom, dad, grandparents – started teething.
– Power supply. If the baby lacks vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C or calcium, teeth will start to erupt later.
– From the course of pregnancy. If there was fetal toxicosis during pregnancy, this will also slow down the appearance of teeth.
Also, teeth are normally cut in pairs, that is, first the lower central incisors appear, then the upper central incisors, the upper lateral incisors – the lower lateral incisors, the upper first molars – the lower first molars, etc. But even if the order is violated, this does not always mean any disease or serious violation.
When to sound the alarm
In places where teeth erupt, many biologically active substances are released, such as histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, etc. They just cause the symptoms that every parent is familiar with:
– Fever. Normally, when teething, the temperature should be subfebrile, that is, no more than 38 degrees;
– Swelling, pain and redness of the gums.
There is a normal reaction of the child to teething. As a rule, the baby refuses to eat, but at the same time pulls toys into his mouth to gnaw on them. Due to the fact that the child is constantly chewing on something, the nerves of the gums are irritated and a lot of saliva is released, and since the child does not yet know how to control saliva, it flows out of the mouth. Also, the child becomes more excitable than usual – sleeps less, is constantly naughty, becomes irritable.
Life hack: to help your child and relieve toothache, buy a special teether toy. Such a toy can be filled with water and put in the refrigerator. When the baby chews on it, the toy will cool the inflamed gums and thereby partially relieve the pain.
But there are symptoms that parents often confuse with a normal reaction to the appearance of teeth:
– Digestive disorders – diarrhea, vomiting, loose stools;
– Temperature above 38-39degrees, which does not subside for several days;
– Cough, rash, swelling.
These symptoms indicate that there is an infection in the child’s body that needs to be treated.
Why a child is so vulnerable to diseases
When a child chews on something, microtraumas and cracks appear on the gums. The mucous membrane, like other tissues of the gums, is not yet formed, so infections easily enter the body through these injuries. And since at the age of the appearance of the first teeth – from 4 to 7 months, the passive immunity received from the mother is gradually lost, and its own immunity is just beginning to be developed, the body cannot cope with the infection.