Teething
Baby teething timeline
When babies get their teeth, in what order, and how to ease sore gums safely. Every baby is different, so treat these ages as a general guide. A difference of several months from the averages is completely normal.
First teeth
Emerging around now: Lower front teeth (central incisors)
These teeth commonly begin appearing around this age, and the two bottom front teeth are usually first. Your baby's timing may be different.
Tooth eruption chart
| Tooth | Where | Typical age |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors | Bottom front | 6 to 10 months |
| Central incisors | Top front | 8 to 12 months |
| Lateral incisors | Top, either side of the front | 9 to 13 months |
| Lateral incisors | Bottom, either side of the front | 10 to 16 months |
| First molars | Back, upper and lower | 13 to 19 months |
| Canines (cuspids) | Between the incisors and molars | 16 to 23 months |
| Second molars | Back, upper and lower | 23 to 33 months |
| Full set of 20 baby teeth | — | By about 2.5 to 3 years |
Teeth usually arrive in pairs, and the lower front teeth are almost always first. Order and timing vary from baby to baby: some babies do not get their first tooth until 12 to 14 months, and that is still normal. Based on the American Dental Association eruption chart.
Signs of teething
- More drooling than usual.
- Wanting to gnaw and chew on hands, toys, and anything nearby.
- Sore, red, or swollen gums.
- Fussiness, and sometimes disturbed sleep.
- Being a little warm, though teething does not cause a true fever.
What teething does not cause
Teething does not cause a true fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. If your baby has these symptoms or seems unwell, do not assume it is teething. Contact your baby's doctor.
If your baby is younger than 3 months and has a temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher, seek medical care right away.
How to soothe sore gums safely
Helpful and safe:
- Gently rub the gums with a clean finger.
- Offer a firm rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the fridge, not frozen solid.
- Let your baby gnaw a clean, cold, damp washcloth. Twisting it and chilling it, with a knot at one end, helps.
- If your baby seems very uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician whether a pain reliever is appropriate and what dose to use. Ibuprofen should not be given to babies under six months unless their doctor specifically directs it.
Best avoided, and why:
- Teething necklaces and bracelets of any material. The FDA and AAP warn they are a choking and strangulation hazard, and they have been linked to infant deaths.
- Numbing gels containing benzocaine, such as Orajel or Anbesol. The FDA warns against them for children under two because of a rare but serious blood condition.
- Homeopathic teething tablets and gels, which the FDA warns against because of unpredictable levels of belladonna, a toxic substance.
- Teethers frozen solid, or ice held on the gums, which are too hard and can bruise the delicate gum tissue.
Caring for the first teeth
Even before the first tooth, wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds. When the first tooth appears, brush twice a day with a soft baby brush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, with you doing the brushing. Try not to put your baby to bed with a bottle of anything except water, since milk and juice pooling overnight cause tooth decay. The AAP and dental associations recommend a first dental visit by the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth, whichever comes first.
Common questions
When do babies start teething?
Most babies get their first tooth between about 6 and 12 months, and the two lower front teeth usually come first. Some babies start earlier and some later, and both are normal.
What are the signs of teething?
More drooling, wanting to chew on everything, sore or swollen gums, fussiness, and sometimes a slightly raised temperature that is not a true fever.
Does teething cause fever or diarrhea?
No. Teething does not cause a true fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. If your baby has these symptoms or seems unwell, contact your doctor. A temperature of 38 C (100.4 F) or higher is not teething, and in a baby under 3 months it needs medical care right away.
How can I soothe a teething baby safely?
Rub the gums with a clean finger, and offer a chilled (not frozen) firm rubber teether or a cold damp washcloth. Ask your pediatrician whether a pain reliever is appropriate and what dose to use; ibuprofen is not for babies under six months unless a doctor directs it.
Are teething necklaces safe?
No. The FDA and AAP advise against teething necklaces and bracelets of any material. They are a choking and strangulation hazard, have no proven benefit, and have been linked to infant deaths.
When should my baby first see a dentist?
By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first.
This page is general information, not medical or dental advice, and every baby is different. For a fever in a young baby, or if your baby seems unwell, contact your doctor. For concerns about your baby's teeth or gums, see your pediatrician or a dentist, who can assess your child in person.
Sources: American Dental Association: baby teeth eruption chart, American Academy of Pediatrics: teething and tooth care, and the U.S. FDA warning on benzocaine teething products.
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