When Do Babies Start Teething: A Detailed Development Timeline for New Parents

Introduction

Every baby goes through teething. This process marks their ability to chew on solids and pick up speech. As new parents, if you’re well-informed about teething, this journey becomes easier.   

This article will guide you through when babies start teething. We’ll touch upon average teething ages, what affects teething, usual signs, and the sequence of teething. Additionally, we’ll share ways to help your little one feel better during teething. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to look after their new teeth.   

When Do Babies Usually Start Teething?

A baby will start teething in their first year. Mostly, it’s when they’re around 6 months old¹. It can differ from baby to baby. Some babies may start as early as 3 months, others by 12 months of age. Sometimes teeth can be present at birth, known as natal teeth, although these are rare.  Family traits or how a baby grows can steer its timeline.  

It’s a lesser-known fact that occasionally, babies are born with teeth (natal teeth) or they appear in the first month of life (neonatal teeth). Natal teeth occur in about 1 in every 2000 to 6000 live births. Sometimes, natal teeth can be linked to conditions like cleft lip and palate, Pierre–Robin syndrome, or other syndromes affecting the head and neck area¹². 

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Symptoms of Teething

As babies’ new teeth push through, they might feel some unease. How your child copes can change, but knowing these usual signs helps. The signs are as follows^2,3:

• Mood swings and fussiness  
• Lots of drooling  
• Red, sore gums  
• Trouble sleeping  
• Lack of interest in food  
• Chewing on fingers or toys  
• Rubbing their cheek or ear (due to shared pain)  
• Slight temperature elevation (should not exceed 101° F or 38.3° C)
• Teething in Breastfed Babies 
• If you feed your baby mother’s milk, there might be some unique signs of teething. This may be related to changes in feeding and latching behaviour.   

What Order Do Baby Teeth Appear In?

The timing for new teeth to arrive can change. Yet, they mostly come out in the same order. This information can help you know what’s next with teething. The order in which new teeth appear is as follows¹.   

• Central incisors (front bottom teeth) – around 5 to 7 months. 
• Central incisors (front top teeth) – around 6 to 8 months. 
• Lateral incisors (teeth next to front ones) – around 10 to 12 months (bottom) and 9 to 11 months (top).  
• First molars (back teeth for chewing food) – around 12 to 16 months (bottom).  
• Canine teeth (sharp teeth in the upper mouth) – around 16 to 20 months (bottom).  
• Second molars (far back teeth) – around 20 to 30 months (bottom).  

By the age of 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth⁴.  

In my experience, I found that babies with conditions like Chromosomal anomalies may experience late teething. Children without Chromosomal anomalies usually start getting their first teeth between 6 and 12 months. But children with Chromosomal anomalies, they might not have all their baby teeth until they’re 4 or 5 years old, while typically it happens by age 2 or 3. The reasons for this delay are unclear however, it appears that the delayed eruption in children with Chromosomal anomalies is related to their genetic condition^10,11. 

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D

Remedies and Management Options to Soothe a Teething Baby

Dealing with a toddler’s distress during teething can be tough. The bright side is that there are several ways to help them, from home remedies to doctor-prescribed drugs.  

Home Remedies 

Natural ways to help ease teething may make your baby feel better. But don’t forget safety while using them.  

• Nature’s ways to help teething babies are as follows⁴:  
  • Lightly massage your toddler’s gums with clean fingers.  
  • Give them a chilled teething ring or toy to chew on.  
  • Use a cold, wet cloth or frozen fruit in a baby feeder.  
  • Divert their attention with toys or playtime.  

• Safety precautions to keep in mind while using home remedies are as follows⁵:   
  • Always use clean fingers or sanitised objects, but never rub alcohol directly. 
  • Make sure the teething toy is washed properly and non-breakable.  
  • Keep a close eye on your baby to stop choking danger.  

Medical Management

In rare cases, your baby might need medical options for their teething trouble. Always ask your child’s doctor before giving over-the-counter medicines. You must only use them if home remedies aren’t working.  

Here are some easy options:  

• Over-the-counter medicines like crocin (paracetamol) may help with pain relief. However, acetaminophen, paracetamol, or ibuprofen should not be given to babies younger than 3 months old^6,7.
• Stick to dosage instructions and always check with your child’s doctor before using them.  

Prescription medicines and safety precautions.   

• If home remedies and over-the-counter drugs aren’t helping, ask your doctor about prescription medicines.  
• Talk to your doctor about side effects and dosage before starting them.   
    

What Therapies Should I Avoid? 

While trying to help your child, steer clear of some items. They can pose risks and might not even work.  

Therapies to skip are as follows.   

• Aspirin-based products as they can cause Reye’s syndrome.  
• Numbing gels with benzocaine as they are associated with risk of methemoglobinemia⁸. 
• Teething tablets tagged as homoeopathic but these may have unapproved ingredients in them.  
• Amber teething necklaces as they come with the risk of choking and strangulation.  
    

How to Care for Baby’s New Teeth?

It’s vital to take care of your little one’s mouth before teeth show. If you start early, their new teeth will be strong and healthy.  

 Here are a few tips that you may try.  

• Clean the baby’s gums daily with a moist washcloth.  
• Brush the baby’s teeth with a soft baby-friendly toothbrush as the first tooth appears.  
• Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste for babies who are over three years old and can spit it out⁹.  
• Take your child to the dentist when they are one year old or within six months of their first tooth.  

Starting early has potential benefits, which are as follows.   

• It is proposed to set up good dental habits.  
• It is said to fight tooth decay and gum disease.  
• It may guide proper tooth growth and placement.  

Teething is a crucial and normal part of a baby’s growth. Teething can be tough on the baby, but if you know what to expect and know ways that may help, it gets easier. If you’re worried about teething, ask your paediatrician or dentist. They can guide you and offer support based on your baby’s needs.  

Conclusion

In conclusion, teething can be a long journey for new parents and their toddlers. Knowing what to expect and when to seek help may make things simpler, and with the right focus, parents may make sure their baby’s dental health is on track. This may ensure good dental health later on in life as well.   

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. NHS. Baby teething symptoms. [Internet]. NHS; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/ 

2. Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C. Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study. Pediatrics. 2000 Apr;105(4 Pt 1):747-52. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10742315/ 

3. HealthyChildren.org. Teething 4 to 7 Months. [Internet]. American Academy of Pediatrics; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx 

4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children [Internet]. FDA; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children 

5. MedlinePlus. Teething. [Internet]. National Library of Medicine; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002045.htm 

6. HealthyChildren.org. Acetaminophen Dosing Tables for Fever & Pain in Children. [Internet]. American Academy of Pediatrics; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/medication-safety/Pages/Acetaminophen-for-Fever-and-Pain.aspx 

7. NHS. Tips for helping your teething baby. [Internet]. NHS; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/tips-for-helping-your-teething-baby/ 

8. Balicer RD, Kitai E. Methemoglobinemia caused by topical teething preparation: a case report. ScientificWorldJournal. 2004 Jul 15;4:517-20. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15311326/ 

9. HealthyChildren.org. Fluoride for Children: Parent FAQs [Internet]. American Academy of Pediatrics; [cited 2025 Oct 17]. Available from: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/FAQ-Fluoride-and-Children.aspx 
10. Wang Y, Zhao Y, Ge L. Delayed eruption of permanent teeth in an adolescent with Down’s syndrome: a case report. J Med Cases. 2015 Jun;6(6):277-278. doi:10.14740/jmc2166w. Available from: https://www.journalmc.org/index.php/JMC/article/view/2166/1549
11. National Down Syndrome Society. Dentistry & Down Syndrome [Internet]. [cited 2025 Oct 08]. Available from: https://ndss.org/resources/dentisty-down-syndrome
12. Ashley MP. It’s only teething… A report of the myths and modern approaches to teething. Br Dent J. 2001 Jul 14;191(1):4-8. doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.4801078. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/4801078

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