How to know if your child is teething

Baby teething symptoms - NHS

When it comes to teething, all babies are different. But your baby will probably get their first tooth some time during their first year.

Find out how to spot when your baby is teething and what order your baby's teeth are likely to appear in.

When do babies start teething?

Some babies are born with their first teeth. Others start teething before they are 4 months old, and some after 12 months. But most babies start teething at around 6 months.

Teething symptoms

Baby teeth sometimes emerge with no pain or discomfort at all.

At other times, you may notice:

their gum is sore and red where the tooth is coming through
they have a mild temperature of less than 38C
they have 1 flushed cheek
they have a rash on their face
they're rubbing their ear
they're dribbling more than usual
they're gnawing and chewing on things a lot
they're more fretful than usual
they're not sleeping very well

Read tips on how to help your teething baby.

Some people think that teething causes other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, but there's no evidence to support this.

You know your baby best. Get medical advice if they have any symptoms that are causing you concern. You can call NHS 111 or contact a GP.

Read more about spotting the signs of serious illness in babies and toddlers.

What order do baby teeth appear in?

Here's a rough guide to how babies' teeth usually emerge:

bottom incisors (bottom front teeth) – these are usually the first to come through, usually at around 5 to 7 months
top incisors (top front teeth) – these tend to come through at about 6 to 8 months
top lateral incisors (either side of the top front teeth) – these come through at around 9 to 11 months
bottom lateral incisors (either side of the bottom front teeth) – these come through at around 10 to 12 months
first molars (back teeth) – these come through at around 12 to 16 months
canines (between the lateral incisors and the first molars) – these come through at around 16 to 20 months
second molars – these come through at around 20 to 30 months

Most children will have all of their milk teeth by the time they are between 2 and 3 years old.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

Page last reviewed: 9 August 2022
Next review due: 9 August 2025

Teething in Babies: Symptoms and Remedies

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

What Is Teething?

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

When Do Babies Start Teething?

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.

Signs and Symptoms of Teething

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.

Order of Tooth Eruption

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, followed by the opposite top two teeth and the two on either side of those. Next come the two on either side of the bottom front teeth, then the first molars appear. 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.

Soothe a Teething Baby

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.

Treatments to Avoid

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.

Teething Necklaces

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.

Teething Medicine

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.

How to Care for Baby’s New Teeth

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.

The pediatrician will monitor your baby's teeth for decay and will decide if a referral to a dentist is needed prior to age 1. For most kids, the pediatrician can continue to screen teeth until age 3.

How to understand that a child is teething

Teething symptoms can be very unpleasant. Often young parents do not understand what is happening with the child. Many of the symptoms are very common, and there are safe ways to relieve your baby's condition.

Salivation

Profuse salivation during teething is absolutely normal. Wipe your baby's face regularly with a tissue to avoid skin irritation and rashes. Wear clothes that are easy to wash, as your baby's saliva will regularly get on them. nine0003

Irritability

During the period when a sharp tooth breaks through the child's gums, one should not expect a good mood from him. Do not be surprised that the baby is naughty, cries more than usual, gets angry for nothing or for unknown reasons. Experts believe that irritability at this time is completely natural.

Eagerness to chew on hard objects

To reduce gum pain, the child may start chewing on toys and other hard objects. Keep everything that has sharp edges or small parts away from the child. To prevent your baby from putting unhygienic things in his mouth, give him special tooth rings, chilled vegetables, a damp cloth, or special cookies intended for children who are teething. At this time, the child may put his own fingers in his mouth more often, so pay extra attention to their cleanliness. nine0003

Decreased appetite and taste changes

Don't worry if your baby is eating less than usual. Breastfeeding or bottle feeding during teething can cause your baby too much discomfort and even pain. However, the baby should not go without food all day, and if he misses several feedings in a row, you should consult a pediatrician. In addition, the baby may refuse his favorite food, which at this time causes pain to the gums. If he has already switched to solid food, try feeding him, for example, yogurt that does not need to be chewed. nine0003

Anxiety and changing sleep patterns

Your baby may become restless. It is also possible that he will sleep at unusual times or not as well as before, begin to fall asleep worse and wake up more often. You can talk to your doctor about pain medications that are safe for children to help your child sleep better.

Fever

Experts say that although teething may be accompanied by a slight rise in temperature, fever is not a typical symptom. If your child has a high temperature, you should contact your pediatrician, as it may be a sign of some kind of disease. nine0003

Not a symptom of teething and diarrhoea. During this period, children have loose stools, but diarrhea indicates a disease, possibly of a viral nature. During teething, the child's body is under severe stress and becomes more vulnerable to viruses.

A child's oral health needs to be cared for from birth. Wipe your baby's gums with a damp gauze or tissue paper, and after the first tooth erupts, start using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a special toothpaste designed for babies. nine0003

Visit the Colgate website for more information about teething.

How to understand that a child is teething

The appearance of a baby is not only a great joy for parents, but also new worries. The child grows quickly, and now his first teeth begin to cut. This is a difficult period for both the baby and his parents. The support of relatives, a positive attitude and the attention of adults will help to make it as pleasant and comfortable as possible. nine0003

Interestingly, the formation of teeth in infants occurs while still in the womb. When a baby is born, 20 dental units are already laid in his gums. Each newborn develops individually. This also applies to teeth. Eruption begins at about 3-6 months. During this period, the baby becomes restless, naughty a lot, cries, suffers from diarrhea and fever.

Symptoms that the child is teething

It all starts with profuse salivation. The kid gnaws on toys, fingers of parents and everything that comes to hand. Then the following symptoms appear:

Gum swelling. The tooth begins to erupt, and the structure of the muscle tissue changes. At this time, the mucosa slightly increases in size, the gum becomes red. The closer to the surface of the tooth, the more noticeable the spot on the gum becomes.
Runny nose. The mucous membrane in the nose begins to secrete more mucus. At this time, it is important to constantly rinse the child's nose, give him plenty of water, and humidify the air in the children's room.
Sleep problems. Due to pain, the baby may not sleep well, often wake up with tears. nine0062
Decreased appetite. During this difficult period, some babies may eat worse or refuse to eat at all. Because of the pain and discomfort in the gums, the child will not enjoy eating. Don't worry, your appetite will return as soon as the pain subsides.
Tears. Due to unpleasant and painful sensations, the baby is more often naughty, crying.
Wet cough. Due to abundant salivation, liquid enters the respiratory tract, mucus accumulates, which the baby tries to cough up. nine0062
Diarrhea. The child swallows a large amount of saliva, due to which the stool becomes liquid.
Increased body temperature. Due to the fact that the child is teething, the surface of the gums becomes inflamed. The body produces a protective reaction in the form of increased temperature.

It is normal for babies under 1 year of age to have their first teeth. However, the first symptoms may resemble the onset of a disease. Pain, heat and discomfort are associated with the fact that the tooth must break through the bone and gum. nine0003

Things to watch out for

Baby's teething can bring infection. If you notice the following symptoms, you should immediately take the child to a specialist:

Severe cough with a lot of sputum, shortness of breath and wheezing.
The baby has a very severe runny nose, greenish or cloudy white mucus is discharged from the nose. If this process lasts more than 3 days, you should consult a doctor.
High temperature persists for more than 2 days (at or above 39degrees), is not knocked down by antipyretics.
Frequent diarrhea with blood and mucus.
Constipation for more than 3 days.

Your baby's immune system is weakened during teething. At this time, it is necessary to protect him as much as possible from possible diseases, to postpone vaccinations. For any anxiety or discomfort, it is best to consult a pediatrician.

Diagram of teething in children

The two central incisors in the bottom row erupt first, either in pairs or one after the other. Then - the incisors in the center of the top row. The next to appear are two lower and upper side ones. Babies from 1 year old most often already have four front teeth in both rows. nine0003

After the incisors, canines and other dental units begin to appear. By about three years old, a baby should have about 20 teeth, including incisors, molars, and canines. However, this process is different for every child. 20 teeth can be in a two-year-old child.

Teeth begin to erupt at 3-8 months. If the first appeared later, then the loss will begin later than in other children. By the age of 1, a child must have at least one tooth. If this does not happen, then the baby should be sent for examination. Specialists can detect rickets, hyperthyroidism and other diseases. nine0003

How to help your child when teething

There are many ways to help relieve pain during such a difficult period.

Distraction. Buy your baby new toys, take him to a new playground, or put on some music. The child will switch his attention and forget about the pain for a while.
Teethers. In stores, you can find many toys and rodent rattles that will help relieve itching and pain from the gums. nine0062
Teaching gel. Before use, be sure to consult a specialist and strictly follow the instructions. Dental gels can be used no more than 5-6 times a day. They have the effect of mild anesthesia, so a violation of the regimen of use can lead to intoxication of the baby's body, impaired digestion and breathing.
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