Key Highlights: 

• Teething is a normal process where baby teeth erupt through the gums. 
• Babies typically start teething in their first year of life. 
• Symptoms of teething can include irritability, drooling, and gum soreness. 
• The order of baby teeth’ appearance generally follows a predictable pattern. 
• Gum massages, cold teethers, and medications may help soothe teething pain. 
• Proper dental care for baby’s new teeth is essential for maintaining oral health 
   

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, things get 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 between 4 and 7 months old.  It can differ from baby to baby. Some babies may start as early as 3 months, others by 12 months of age. Family traits or how a baby grows can steer its timeline. 

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.  

• 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) 
   

Teething in Breastfed Babies 

• If you feed your baby mother’s milk, there might be some unique signs of teething. Which may be related to changes in feeding and latching behavior.  
   
   

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 follows.  

• Central incisors (front bottom teeth) – around 6-10 months 

• Central incisors (front top teeth) – around 8-12 months 

• Lateral incisors (teeth next to front ones) – around 9-13 months (bottom) and 10-16 months (top) 

• First molars (back teeth for chewing food) – around 13-19 months (bottom) and 14-18 months (top) 

• Canine teeth (sharp teeth in upper mouth) – around 16-22 months (bottom) and 17-23 months (top) 

• Second molars (far back teeth) – around 23-31 months (bottom) and 25-33 months (top) 

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

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’s a wide variety of 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 follows.  

• 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 follows.  

• Always use clean fingers or sanitized objects 
• Make sure the teething toy is not small or breakable 
• Keep a close eye on your baby to stop choking danger 

Medical Management 

In some 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. NSAIDs like acetaminophen is usually suitable for babies over 2 months and ibuprofen is suitable for babies over 6 months.   
• 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 (can cause Reye’s syndrome). 
• Numbing gels with benzocaine come with the risk of methemoglobinemia. 
• Teething tablets tagged as homeopathic may have suspicious ingredients in them. 
• Amber teething necklaces come with the risk of choking and strangulation. 
   

Also Read: How to Remove Tartar from Teeth: Effective Strategies and Techniques

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 that are over two years old who can spit it out.  
• Take your child to the dentist by their first birthday 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 place. 

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 pediatrician 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.  

Also read: Does Everyone Have Wisdom Teeth? Decoding Dental Myths and Facts

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

References: 

1. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Natal teeth: Case report and review of literature – PMC [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 12]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3162856 

2. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Maternal and early life factors of tooth emergence patterns and number of teeth at one and two years of age – PMC [Internet]. [cited 2024 Apr 12]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4538790 

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