Key Takeaways
- Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, although timing can vary.
- Common signs of teething include sore or tender gums, increased drooling, and a need to chew
- Cool teething rings, soft healthy foods, and gentle gum rubbing can help provide teething relief.
- Avoid frozen-solid items and teething products that may pose a safety risk.
- If your baby seems very uncomfortable or you are concerned about their teething symptoms, speak with a pediatric dentist.
What Parents Should Know About Teething
Teething is when your baby’s first teeth, also called primary or baby teeth, begin to push through the gums. Most babies get their first baby teeth between 6 and 10 months, but the timing can vary. Some babies may feel discomfort before a tooth appears, while a few are even born with teeth.
Babies have 20 primary teeth developing beneath their gums. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by around age 3. They fall out at different times as children grow, and by around age 21, all 32 permanent teeth have usually come in.
Teething is a normal process as your baby grows. It can cause some discomfort, but knowing teething symptoms and how to comfort your baby can make this stage easier for both of you. In this guide, our kids’ dentist at Hopkins Family Dentistry breaks down everything you need to know.
What Are the Common Signs of Teething?
Baby teeth may come in with no pain or discomfort, while some babies may have mild teething symptoms that last a few days. At Hopkins Family Dentistry, we help parents understand the common signs and symptoms of teething, and here are some changes you may notice in your baby:
- More drooling: You may notice more saliva than usual.
- Chewing more: Your baby may want to chew on toys, fingers, or other objects.
- Sore or red gums: The gums may look swollen, red, or tender where a tooth is coming through.
- More fussiness: Sore or tender gums may make your baby more irritable than usual.
- A rash around the mouth: Extra drooling can irritate the skin around your baby’s mouth.
- Change in sleep: Your baby may have trouble sleeping or wake more often.
- Rubbing the ear or cheek: Your baby may rub the ear or cheek because of discomfort.
- A slightly raised temperature: Your baby may feel warmer than usual, but teething should not cause a fever above 100.4°F (38°C).
Teething usually does not cause a high fever, diarrhea, or severe symptoms. It also should not cause your baby to cry much more than usual. If your child has any of these symptoms or is crying more often, talk to your pediatrician to check if something else may be causing them.
Baby Teething Order and Age: The Full Timeline
Baby teething timeline varies from child to child and may be influenced by genetics. If your child has not started teething by this age, do not be concerned. Here is a closer look at when each type of primary tooth comes through during infancy and the toddler years:
Baby Teething Timeline: Reference Table
| Order | Tooth | Lower Jaw | Upper Jaw |
| 1 | Central incisors | 6 to 10 months | 8 to 12 months |
| 2 | Lateral incisors | 10 to 16 months | 9 to 13 months |
| 3 | First molars | 14 to 18 months | 13 to 19 months |
| 4 | Canines (eye teeth) | 17 to 23 months | 16 to 22 months |
| 5 | Second molars | 23 to 31 months | 25 to 33 months |
How to Relieve Teething Discomfort?
Teething can be uncomfortable for some babies. Babies respond to teething in different ways, so you may need to try a few options. Here are a few simple teething relief tips from our expert, Dr. Anna Clayton, to help soothe your baby:
1. Teething Rings
Teething rings can give your baby something safe to chew on when their gums feel sore. If the ring can be cooled, chill it in the refrigerator before giving it to your baby, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
However, do not freeze teething rings, as they can become too hard and hurt your baby’s gums. Also, never tie or fasten a teething ring around your baby’s neck, as this can pose a choking or strangulation risk.
2. Cool Teething Options
Roll a clean washcloth, dampen it with water, and freeze it before giving it to your baby to chew on. You can also use specially designed teething products that allow babies to suck on chilled or frozen foods safely. Avoid giving your baby anything that is frozen solid, because hard surfaces can hurt their tender gums.
3. Safe Things to Chew
If your baby has started eating solid foods, chewing may help ease pressure on their gums. Offer soft, healthy foods, such as ripe fruit or well-cooked vegetables, cut into suitable pieces, and always stay with your baby while they eat.
Avoid rusks and sugary foods because they can cause tooth decay, even in baby teeth. Soft rubber or plastic teething toys can also help soothe sore gums, and some are easy for babies to hold and grasp.
4. Sippy Cups
If your child is over 6 months old, try giving them a sippy cup with some cold water. The soft spout may also give your baby something to chew or suck on and can help soothe sore gums.
5. Comfort Your Baby
Comfort can help your baby cope with teething. Cuddle, play with, or distract your baby to take their mind off the discomfort. You can gently rub their gums with a clean finger to soothe them.
6. Extra Drooling and Skin Care
More drooling during teething can sometimes irritate the skin around your baby’s mouth and chin. Gently wipe your baby’s face when needed and keep the skin clean and dry.
7. Pain Relief Options
If your baby is distressed and other soothing methods have not helped, it’s best to consult your pediatrician or a pharmacist before giving your baby any medicine. They can recommend what’s safe and appropriate for your child.
Never give aspirin to children under 16. It is also best to avoid teething gels, homoeopathic teething tablets, and amber teething necklaces, as they may not be safe for babies.
Final Thoughts
While teething can bring a few restless nights and fussy days, it’s also an exciting milestone in your baby’s development. Once the first tooth appears, regular dental care can help keep those early teeth healthy. At Hopkins Family Dentistry, we can check your baby’s smile, identify any concerns early, and share tips for caring for their teeth as they continue to grow.
If you have questions about teething symptoms, relief options, or oral care, Dr. Anna Clayton and the team at our dental office in Hopkins, MN, are here to help.
Call: (952) 935-2121
Email: office@familydentistryhopkins.com
Visit: 1919 Mainstreet, Hopkins, MN 55343
Office Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, 7:00 AM-5:00 PM; Wednesday, Closed; Friday, 7:00 AM-12:00 PM
FAQs
Start brushing as soon as your baby’s first tooth comes in.
Use a soft baby toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. Gently brush all sides of the teeth twice a day, especially before bedtime.
Thumb or finger sucking usually does not affect when teeth come in. However, frequent or prolonged sucking can affect how your child’s teeth and jaw develop. If you have concerns, talk to your child’s dentist.
Not always. Whether your child needs fluoride supplements depends on their age, the amount of fluoride they get from drinking water and toothpaste, and their risk of tooth decay. Ask your child’s dentist before giving any fluoride supplements.
