Are you unsure about the teething process? This guide provides insights into when babies start teething, symptoms, remedies, and how long teething typically lasts.
Teething can be a time of great frustration for caregivers.
"Each baby's development may differ, from when teeth start coming in to how they react to the discomfort of teething."José C. Polido, DDS, MS, Attending Dentist in CHLA’s Division of Dentistry and Orthodontics
"On average, infants start teething around 6 months old, but some babies might have teeth come in as early as 3 months, while others may not see a full set of 20 primary teeth until they are 3 years old."
Here’s what to know about the most common symptoms, how they relate to teething, and how to help soothe your little one during this uncomfortable time.
Generally, you may see your child’s lower front teeth begin to show around 4-8 months, and teeth will continue to appear until 30-36 months (3 years) of age with their last set of molars.
Each new teething episode can last around 3-8 days. The chart below outlines the typical eruption order of baby teeth:
| Age Range | Tooth Type |
| 3-10 Months | Lower Central Incisors |
| 8-12 Months | Top Central Incisors |
| 9-13 Months | Top Lateral Incisors |
| 10-16 Months | Lower Lateral Incisors |
| 13-19 Months | Top First Molar |
| 14-18 Months | Lower First Molar |
| 16-22 Months | Top Canine Teeth |
| 17-23 Months | Lower Canine Teeth |
| 23-31 Months | Lower Second Molar |
| 25-33 Months | Top Second Molar |
Babies are born without teeth, but you can see a lighter area on the gums that indicates where teeth will break through. When your baby's teeth are about to erupt, you will notice these parts of the gums become red and swollen.
During the teething period, other symptoms may include:
Appetite changes or refusing to eat
Behavior changes or irritability
Disrupted sleeping patterns
Drooling/skin rashes around the mouth
Occasional cough or gag
Increased biting, chewing, and gnawing
Elevated body temperature
Cheek rubbing, gum rubbing, and ear pulling
Swollen gums or other gum changes (Inflammation, bleeding, redness)
So, what causes these symptoms, and why don’t all infants experience them?
Caused by: Discomfort of the teeth erupting through the gums. Often, the first teeth and molars are the most uncomfortable.
How to help: Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle! The extra time spent with your baby can help provide comfort and reassurance, helping to alleviate their pain.
Caused by: Extra saliva. Excessive drying drool may cause a rash around the mouth, cheeks, chin, and neck area due to extra bacteria on the skin.
How to help: Have extra bibs handy. 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.
Caused by: Feelings of pressure under the gums. Babies’ instincts are to bite and gnaw on things when they’re teething because the counter pressure from biting on practically anything can alleviate the discomfort they feel in their gums.
How to help: Try safe teething toys made of natural rubber or BPA-free silicone. Avoid teething necklaces or bracelets, liquid or gel-filled rings, or any topical gels with numbing agents.
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. Contact your infant’s pediatrician if this symptom continues or is accompanied by a high fever.
How to help: Try rubbing and massaging the gums with a clean finger or damp washcloth for one to two minutes to help with the discomfort.
Caused by: The extra saliva produced during teething. You might notice an occasional cough or gag.
How to help: If your child’s cough is accompanied by nasal or chest congestion and is more persistent, teething is not the culprit and the cough is likely an indicator of another underlying illness. Contact their pediatrician for next steps.
Teething often begins around 6 months of age. This is around the same time the temporary immunity babies receive from their mother, via the placenta, starts to diminish. While babies are building their own immune systems, they’re more 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 vice versa.
Teething pain typically begins at 4 months of age and can last up to a week (a few days before and after the tooth erupts). Many children have a particularly painful experience between 25-33 months, when the large molars (the biggest baby teeth) emerge. By the time all of their primary teeth have erupted, teething pain is usually minimal.
Teething may cause your child’s body temperature to sit slightly above normal—anywhere from 98-100.3 degrees Fahrenheit—which is below the threshold for a fever. This is not a cause for concern and can be monitored at home.
Teething alone doesn’t cause diarrhea. If your infant is having irregular stools while teething, it may be due to a recent change in diet, coming into contact with more bacteria due to putting more things in their mouths, or a slightly irritated stomach from swallowing extra drool.
Teething commonly leads to mild fussiness, drooling, and gum sensitivity. It does not cause high fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, persistent coughing, or cold-like symptoms. Rather, these may be indicative of a more serious infection. If your baby is particularly irritable or refusing to eat and symptoms persist beyond teething discomfort, contact a pediatrician as these could be signs of a medical issue.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) encourages parents and other care providers to help every child connect to a pediatric dentist no later than 12 months of age. As your baby's full set of teeth comes in, continue to consult a pediatric dentist to ensure proper oral health and prevent tooth decay. With a full set in place, might be time to also introduce flossing in between teeth with tight contacts.
(Newswise/HG)