When do babies start teething. What are the first signs of teething in infants. How to soothe a teething baby. Is fever a symptom of teething. Can teething cause diarrhea in babies. What remedies help with teething pain. How long does teething last in infants.

Understanding the Teething Process in Infants

Teething is a natural developmental milestone that every infant experiences. It typically begins around 4 to 8 months of age, but some babies may start teething as early as 2 months. The process continues until approximately 30-36 months when the last set of molars appear. During this time, parents often observe various signs and symptoms that indicate their baby is teething.

According to research published in the British Dental Journal, 70-80% of parents reported observing teething symptoms in their infants. However, it’s important to note that not all babies experience the same symptoms or intensity of discomfort during teething.

When Does Teething Usually Begin?

While the average age for teething to start is between 4 and 8 months, some infants may begin showing signs as early as 2 months. The lower front teeth (central incisors) are typically the first to emerge, followed by the upper front teeth. The teething process generally follows this pattern:

• Lower central incisors: 6-10 months
• Upper central incisors: 8-12 months
• Upper lateral incisors: 9-13 months
• Lower lateral incisors: 10-16 months
• First molars: 13-19 months
• Canine teeth: 16-22 months
• Second molars: 25-33 months

Common Signs and Symptoms of Teething in Infants

Recognizing the signs of teething can help parents provide appropriate care and comfort to their babies. Here are some of the most common symptoms associated with teething:

Irritability and Fussiness

Is your baby more irritable than usual? Teething can cause discomfort as teeth erupt through the gums, leading to increased fussiness and irritability. This symptom is often more pronounced with the emergence of the first teeth and molars.

Excessive Drooling

Have you noticed an increase in your baby’s drooling? Teething stimulates saliva production, resulting in excessive drooling. This can sometimes lead to skin rashes around the mouth, cheeks, chin, and neck due to the constant moisture and bacteria from saliva.

Swollen or Tender Gums

Are your baby’s gums looking swollen or red? As teeth push through the gums, the surrounding area may become swollen, tender, and even slightly red. Gently rubbing your clean finger along your baby’s gums might help you feel the emerging teeth.

Chewing and Biting Behavior

Is your baby constantly putting things in their mouth? Teething babies often have an increased urge to chew and bite on objects. This behavior helps alleviate the pressure and discomfort in their gums.

Sleep Disturbances

Has your baby’s sleep pattern changed recently? Teething discomfort can disrupt your baby’s sleep, causing them to wake up more frequently during the night or have difficulty falling asleep.

Decreased Appetite

Is your baby refusing to eat as much as usual? Some babies may experience a temporary loss of appetite during teething, especially if they’re experiencing pain or discomfort while eating.

Low-Grade Fever

Does your baby have a slightly elevated temperature? A low-grade fever (between 98-100째F or 36.6-37.8째C) can sometimes accompany teething. However, it’s important to note that high fevers are not typically associated with teething and may indicate other health issues.

Distinguishing Teething Symptoms from Illness

One challenge parents often face is differentiating between teething symptoms and signs of illness. This confusion arises because teething typically begins around the same time that an infant’s immune system is undergoing significant changes.

Around 6 months of age, the immunity babies received from their mothers via the placenta begins to diminish. Simultaneously, the infant’s own immune system is becoming established, making them more susceptible to minor infections. This overlap in timing can make it difficult to determine whether symptoms are due to teething or a mild illness.

When to Consult a Pediatrician

While many teething symptoms can be managed at home, there are instances when it’s important to consult a pediatrician:

• Fever above 101째F (38.3째C)
• Diarrhea lasting more than 24 hours
• Persistent coughing or cold-like symptoms
• Prolonged irritability or unusual fussiness
• Signs of dehydration
• Refusal to eat or drink for an extended period

Soothing Techniques for Teething Babies

Parents can employ various methods to help alleviate their baby’s teething discomfort. Here are some effective soothing techniques:

Cold Therapy

How can cold items help with teething pain? Cold temperatures can numb the gums and provide relief. Try offering your baby:

• Chilled teething rings or toys
• Frozen washcloths (slightly thawed)
• Cold spoons (not frozen)
• Chilled fruits in a mesh feeder (for babies already eating solids)

Gum Massage

Can massaging your baby’s gums provide relief? Gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger or soft, damp cloth can help alleviate discomfort. The pressure from the massage can counteract the pressure of the emerging teeth.

Teething Toys

What types of teething toys are safe and effective? Look for teething toys made of safe, non-toxic materials. Some popular options include:

• Silicone teething rings
• Wooden teething toys
• Soft rubber teethers
• Teething necklaces (worn by parents, not babies)

Pain Relief Medications

When should you consider pain relief medications for teething? If other soothing methods aren’t providing enough relief, you may want to consider over-the-counter pain medications. Always consult with your pediatrician before administering any medication to your baby.

Teething and Oral Care: Establishing Good Habits Early

Teething presents an excellent opportunity to start establishing good oral hygiene habits for your baby. Here are some tips for maintaining your baby’s oral health during teething:

Cleaning Gums and First Teeth

How should you clean your baby’s gums and first teeth? Use a soft, damp cloth or infant toothbrush to gently clean your baby’s gums and emerging teeth. This helps remove bacteria and gets your baby accustomed to oral care routines.

Introducing Toothpaste

When should you start using toothpaste for your baby? Once your baby’s first tooth appears, you can begin using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste (about the size of a grain of rice) on a soft-bristled toothbrush.

First Dental Visit

When should you schedule your baby’s first dental visit? The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months after their first tooth emerges.

Nutritional Considerations During Teething

Teething can sometimes affect a baby’s eating habits. Here are some nutritional considerations to keep in mind:

Maintaining Proper Nutrition

How can you ensure your teething baby gets proper nutrition? If your baby is experiencing discomfort while eating, try offering softer foods or purees. For breastfed babies, continue nursing as usual, as the sucking motion can help soothe sore gums.

Avoiding Certain Foods

Are there foods you should avoid during teething? Avoid giving your baby hard foods that could pose a choking hazard. Also, limit sugary foods and drinks, as they can contribute to tooth decay.

Hydration

Why is hydration important during teething? Increased drooling can lead to fluid loss, so ensure your baby stays well-hydrated. Offer water (for babies over 6 months) or breast milk/formula more frequently.

Long-Term Dental Health and Teething

While teething is a temporary phase, it plays a crucial role in your child’s long-term dental health. Here are some considerations:

Tooth Alignment

Does teething affect future tooth alignment? The order and timing of tooth eruption can influence future tooth alignment. However, genetics and oral habits (like thumb-sucking) play a more significant role in determining dental alignment.

Preventing Early Childhood Caries

How can you prevent tooth decay in teething babies? Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, as this can lead to early childhood caries. Clean your baby’s gums and teeth regularly, and limit exposure to sugary foods and drinks.

Monitoring Tooth Development

Why is it important to monitor your baby’s tooth development? Regular monitoring helps identify any potential issues early on. Keep track of when teeth emerge and report any concerns to your pediatrician or dentist.

Understanding the teething process and recognizing its signs and symptoms can help parents navigate this developmental milestone with confidence. By employing appropriate soothing techniques, maintaining good oral hygiene, and seeking professional advice when needed, parents can ensure their baby’s teething experience is as comfortable as possible while laying the foundation for long-term dental health.

Your Infant is Teething: Know the Signs and Symptoms

Advice From Our Experts

July 10, 2020

Teething can be a time of great frustration for caregivers, in this post I will list some of the most common symptoms, explain how they relate to teething and share some insight on how to help soothe your little one during this potentially uncomfortable time.

When Does Teething Begin for Infants?

Teething usually starts around four to eight months with the lower front teeth and continues until 30-36 months of age when the last set of molars appear. During the teething period there are symptoms that include irritability, disrupted sleep, swelling or inflammation of the gums, drooling, loss of appetite, rash around the mouth, mild temperature, diarrhea, increased biting and gum-rubbing and even ear-rubbing. These symptoms were reported by 70-80 percent of parents according to an article from the British Dental Journal. So, why don’t all infants experience teething symptoms? Keep reading to find out.

Why Teething Symptoms May Be Confused with Cold Symptoms

Research has pointed out that teething begins around six months of age. This is the same time when an infant’s immunities they received from their mother, via the placenta, are diminishing. This means that the infant’s own immune system is becoming established. During this time, infants become vulnerable to minor infections. Because these two changes are taking place, the symptoms of teething can be confused with a minor illness or cold and visa versa. This explains why only 70-80 percent of parents reported teething symptoms of their infant; it’s very likely that parents of the remaining 20-30 percent associated the symptoms to a minor illness or cold.

Below is a list of commonly reported teething symptoms, with ways to help your infant at home and when to call the doctor:

• Irritability
• Drooling/Skin Rashes
• Coughing
• Biting and Gnawing
• Low Grade Fever
• Cheek rubbing and ear pulling
• Diarrhea

Irritability

This is caused by the discomfort of the teeth erupting through the gums. Often the first teeth and molars are the most uncomfortable.

How to help your infant’s irritability: Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle! Every baby can use some good cuddle time when they are having a hard time with teething. The extra time spent with your baby can help alleviate their pain, by providing feelings of being comforted and reassured.

Drooling/Skin Rashes

Teething can stimulate drooling and many babies drool a lot!

How to help your infant’s drooling: Excessive drooling can cause a rash around the mouth, cheeks, chin and neck area due to the extra bacteria on the skin from the saliva. Try to keep the area as clean and as dry as possible by periodically wiping the area. Applying a simple barrier cream can help with the dry, chapped and sore skin.

Coughing

The extra saliva produced during teething can cause an occasional cough or gag.

How to help your infant’s coughing: If your infant’s cough continues or is accompanied by a high fever and cold or flu symptoms, contact your infant’s pediatrician. The high fever with cold and flu symptoms is not related to teething, but is actually a sign that your infant is sick.

Biting and Gnawing

The counter pressure from biting on practically anything can alleviate the pressure from under the gums.

How to help your infant’s biting and gnawing: Anything cold works great! My best friend mixes water with the pouches of baby food and freezes them to make fruit and veggie popsicles. There are teething rings, chew beads and any commercially bought teething toys can help, especially when chilled or frozen.

Low Grade Fever

A low grade fever is defined and caused by the following:

• A temperature ranging from 98-100 degrees.
• It can be caused by an infant putting their unclean hands in their mouth.

If the fever reaches above 101 degrees or continues, contact your infant’s pediatrician because it may not be the teething but a more serious illness.

How to help your infant’s low grade fever: Use an age-appropriate pain medication and please consult your infant’s pediatrician and the medication label for correct dosage.

Cheek rubbing and ear pulling

This is caused by pain in the gums, which can travel to the cheek and ear, especially when the molars are erupting. Infants will rub those areas. Keep in mind that ear pulling or rubbing can also be a sign of an ear infection, please contact your infant’s pediatrician if this symptom continues or is accompanied with a high fever.

How to help your infant’s cheek rubbing and ear pulling: Try rubbing and massaging the gums with a clean finger for one to two minutes to help with the discomfort.

Teething and Diarrhea

Many believe that the increased saliva produced during teething can cause stool to become slightly loose.Keep in mind, diarrhea can be a sign of a more serious infection so contact your infant’s pediatrician if the stool becomes watery, because your infant could be at risk for dehydration. Contacting your infant’s pediatrician is especially important if the diarrhea is accompanied by vomiting or a high fever.

I hope the list of symptoms and ways you can help your infant will guide you through your infant’s teething phase. I also hope this helps ease the potential stress experienced by many parents. Just remember, that many symptoms we think are teething can be associated with illness, may be completely unrelated to teething and may need to be addressed by a physician.

Teething in Babies: Symptoms and Remedies

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Reviewed by Amita Shroff, MD

on November 30, 2022.

Reading time: 4 minutes

In this Article

• What Is Teething?
• When Do Babies Start Teething?
• Signs and Symptoms of Teething
• Order of Tooth Eruption
• Soothe a Teething Baby
• Treatments to Avoid
• Teething Necklaces
• Teething Medicine
• How to Care for Baby’s New Teeth

Teething is when your baby’s teeth start to come through their gum line. Another word for it is odontiasis.

Most babies begin to teethe between 4 and 7 months old, but some start much later. There’s no need to worry if your baby’s teeth come in on another timetable — it can be different for every baby.

The symptoms aren’t the same for every baby, but they may include:

• Swollen, tender gums
• Fussiness and crying
• A slightly raised temperature (less than 101 F)
• Gnawing or wanting to chew on hard things
• Lots of drool, which can cause a rash on their face
• Coughing
• Rubbing their cheek or pulling their ear
• Bringing their hands to their mouth
• Changes in eating or sleeping patterns

Teething can be painful, but it doesn’t usually make babies sick. Call your doctor if your baby has diarrhea, vomiting, rashes on the body, a higher fever, or cough and congestion. These aren’t normal signs of teething.

You also should call the pediatrician if your baby’s gums are bleeding or you see any pus or swelling of their face.

When and how teeth come in can be different for every baby and may be based on family history. But most of the time, the lower front two teeth come in first between 6 and 10 months, followed by the opposite top two teeth and the two on either side of those between 8 and 13 months. Next come the two on either side of the bottom front teeth, then the first molars appear between 10 and 16 months. The teeth in front of the first molars are next, and the back molars are the last ones to come in.

In all, 20 “baby teeth” will eventually be in place, usually by age 3.

What works to soothe a friend’s baby might not work for yours. You may need to try different things to help your little one feel better:

• Something cold in your baby’s mouth, like a cold pacifier, spoon, clean wet washcloth, or a solid (not liquid) refrigerated teething toy or ring. Some experts say frozen teething toys are too cold and may hurt your baby’s mouth. Make sure to clean teething toys, washcloths, and other items after the baby uses them.
• Try offering a hard, unsweetened teething cracker.
• If your baby is older than 6-9 months, you can offer cool water from a sippy cup, too.
• Massage the gums by gently rubbing them with your clean finger. If the teeth haven’t come in yet, you can let your baby gnaw on your finger. If you’re nursing your baby, try dipping your fingers in cool water and massaging their gums before each feeding. That may keep them from biting your nipple while nursing.

Never put anything in your baby’s mouth that isn’t specifically approved to help soothe teething. Even some products described as teethers or teething aids aren’t safe choices, including ones:

• Filled with liquid that can tear and spill
• Made of breakable material, like plastic, that can possibly lead to choking
• That are frozen solid — these can be too hard on a baby’s mouth

Another reason to be aware of the material used to make the teethers: Some can be made from harmful substances, like lead. Look for ones made of rubber.

Child health experts don’t recommend teething necklaces. They’re dangerous: They can strangle the baby. They also can choke if the necklace breaks and they swallow the beads.

If you do choose to use one, make sure to:

• Put it on a wrist or ankle, not around the baby’s neck.
• Always watch your baby when they wear it.
• Take it away when you aren’t watching your baby, even for a very short time.

You may have heard that amber teething necklaces release a pain reliever when heated. That’s not proven, and doctors say using one is not a good idea.

Medicine that you rub on your baby’s gums to stop the pain of teething may not help. It quickly washes away in the mouth and may numb the back of their throat and make it hard for them to swallow.

Stay away from over-the-counter teething gels and liquids that have the ingredient benzocaine. The FDA says this ingredient shouldn’t be given to children under 2. It can cause rare but serious side effects.

A small dose of a children’s pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, may help your baby. Don’t use ibuprofen for an infant under 6 months old, and ask your doctor before giving your baby any medication. Use it exactly as the doctor says.

Teething can be rough for you and your baby at first. But it’ll get easier as you both learn how to soothe each new tooth that pops out.

Good oral hygiene is important, even before your baby has teeth:

• Until teeth start to come in, clean your baby’s gums with a wet washcloth or piece of gauze at least once a day.
• Once they have teeth, clean your baby’s mouth the same way at least twice a day. After feedings is a good time for this.
• After their first birthday, you can start to use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush with water and a small amount of toothpaste that doesn’t have fluoride in it. You can also start flossing between their teeth.

Your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, or no later than their first birthday.

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Teething at 2 months: normal or abnormal

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The baby is naughty, his sleep is disturbed, he takes the breast and immediately lets go? Perhaps the process of teething has begun. “Teeth cutting at 2 months?” – you ask. When your baby is very young, you can associate the baby’s anxiety with some kind of illness, but not with the process of the appearance of the first incisors. Let’s understand the possible timing of teething. We cannot regulate them, but we can alleviate the condition of children in the event of unpleasant symptoms.

Is it possible for a baby to cut teeth at such an early age? The two lower central incisors grow first and usually erupt one after the other. But you should understand that the time frame is not limited. Sometimes the process can take a while. There are times when the first incisors appear earlier. Therefore, when asked whether teeth can be cut at two months, experts give an affirmative answer. Deviation of the time frame for several months in both directions is considered the norm. Only in the event that a one-year-old child does not have a single tooth, you should consult a doctor.

Every body is different, so some babies have their first tooth at 2-3 months. The process is determined not only by genetics, but also by a number of other factors:

• climatic conditions;
• maternal nutrition;
• peculiarities of the course of pregnancy;
• disorders of the endocrine system – sometimes the early appearance of teeth may indicate its anomalies.

If a mother during pregnancy drank multivitamins or additional mineral complexes containing vitamins D and C, then teething may accelerate. Contributes to this and the use by a woman of fermented milk products in large quantities.

What are the symptoms of teething

Only some parents do not experience difficulties with teething in a child and notice the incisor by chance, not understanding when it appeared. In most cases, the process is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms:

1. Puffiness, “looseness” of the gums. Redness, bumps may form. Sometimes the teeth are visible through the gums. In some cases, there are bluish hematomas.
2. Increased salivation. Because of this, rashes around the mouth may appear. But salivation at 2 months of age does not always indicate teething. During this period, such a process is physiological. If the rash occurs elsewhere, it has nothing to do with teething.
3. Restless state. The child cries a lot, is naughty, the quality of his sleep worsens. Often the baby cannot be soothed. Conventional methods (swinging, nipples, etc.) do not help.
4. Increased body temperature. More often these are indicators up to 37.5 ˚C. This can happen due to local inflammation (gums). A higher temperature indicates the activity of viruses.
5. Loss of appetite. During the period of the appearance of teeth, children do not eat well or refuse to eat at all. Sometimes the baby cannot be attached to the breast. Some babies kick their feet while feeding.
6. Runny nose and cough. Due to increased salivation, mucus flows down the back of the throat. It enters the nasal passages, since the baby at the age of two months is more in a supine position. When mucus enters the throat, it provokes a cough. More often it occurs during sleep.

These symptoms do not occur all at once and can be combined in different ways. Often for parents, they become a serious cause for concern. Even the fact that a child is teething at such an early age is already shocking.

It is important not to confuse signs of infectious or neurological diseases that have similar symptoms with the process of teething. Therefore, it is better to show the baby to the doctor. The following symptoms also serve as a reason to seek help: the child is very lethargic, he has a high temperature (above +38 ˚С), vomiting or sores in the mouth have appeared. A child can also vomit due to excessive salivation when mucus enters the stomach. Liquid and frequent stools also indicate the attachment of an infection. Diarrhea can cause dehydration.

How to help a baby

If a baby starts teething at 2 months, besides fatigue due to sleepless nights, parents are worried about their baby. Since he is tormented by pain, discomfort, he eats little and sleeps poorly, it is necessary to help relieve unpleasant symptoms. To do this, use the following methods:

1. Massage the gums. Wash your hands thoroughly first. Massage is done with a fingertip. It is worth trimming your nails so as not to damage the gums. Massaging relieves pain. The degree of effectiveness of the method can be determined by the reaction of the child.
2. Apply cold. Ordinary teethers, which are sold in pharmacies and are offered to older children, a baby at the age of two months will not gnaw. In this case, he can cool the nipple or apply a gauze pad to the problem area. It is pre-moistened with cold water or chamomile infusion, which helps relieve inflammation.
3. Lubricate gums with anesthetic gels. For example, “Kamistad” or “Kalgel” are the means that can be used even at an early age.
4. Provide antipyretic and analgesic drugs based on ibuprofen and paracetamol. 2-month-old babies put candles. It can be, for example, “Efferalgan”.

During teething, it is important to provide your baby with the right care. It is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of the pacifier. Saliva needs to be wiped only with clean napkins. The skin around the mouth should be lubricated with a special baby cream. You also need to walk more – fresh air will only benefit. But it is better to avoid crowded places so that the baby does not pick up an additional virus.

If your child has early teething, if he is breastfeeding, it is worth visiting a dentist. The fact is that the risk of developing bottle caries in this case is quite high.

Date: May 4, 2021

When does a baby’s first teeth erupt?

All babies teething according to their own individual program: for some, this process begins earlier, for others later. As practice shows, the first tooth in most children appears at the age of 6 to 8.5 months, and by the year every healthy child has at least one milk tooth in his mouth.

At the age of three or four months, teeth preparing for eruption begin to announce themselves quite actively: the baby becomes capricious, cries, tries to bite everything that gets into his hands.

The first to appear are usually the two lower, centrally located teeth (lower central incisors or “ones”). Then – the central upper incisors, after which, by about ten months, the upper “twos”, or lateral upper incisors, erupt. By eleven to twelve months, the lateral incisors can also be seen on the lower jaw. Thus, ideally, a one-year-old child is the proud owner of eight milk teeth.

By about sixteen months, many babies already have first molars on the bottom and top. Fangs (“threes”) appear at the top and bottom later, in the eighteenth – twenty-second month of a child’s life. The second upper and lower molars erupt at the age of 24-33 months. But again, it should be remembered that this process is individual and the order of teething may also be different.

Teeth often grow in pairs: two, and sometimes four at the same time. In girls, for the most part, teeth erupt earlier than in boys. By the age of 2.5-3 years, a complete set of twenty fully erupted teeth can be found in a baby.

Alertness must be shown if a child who is almost a year old does not have a single tooth. In principle, some children may have a congenital feature in the form of late teething, but you should not draw any conclusions on your own, you should definitely consult with a qualified specialist who, if necessary, will prescribe additional examinations.

Causes of late teething in children:

• hereditary predisposition, which is a variant of the norm and can be traced in other blood relatives;
• decreased thyroid function;
• rickets;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• enzymatic (fermentative) metabolism disorders;
• pituitary insufficiency;
• lack of calcium in the child’s body;
• genetically determined diseases.

For the baby himself, the process of teething can proceed in different ways. Some children practically do not experience discomfort, others suffer from pain, their sleep is disturbed, their appetite worsens, their temperature rises (up to 38-39 ° C), salivation increases, nasal congestion, wet cough (due to profuse salivation), constipation or, conversely, , increased stool.