Baby Teething: Symptoms, Timeline and How to Help

Few parenting phases combine "completely normal" with "absolutely miserable" as effectively as teething. Here's what's actually happening and what actually helps.

When Do Baby Teeth Come In?

The average first tooth appears around 6 months, but the range is wide: 4 to 12 months is entirely normal. Late teething runs in families. A baby with no teeth at 12 months is almost always fine — mention it at the next visit, but don't panic.

Tooth eruption order

Teeth	Average age
Lower central incisors (bottom front)	6–10 months
Upper central incisors (top front)	8–12 months
Upper lateral incisors	9–13 months
Lower lateral incisors	10–16 months
First molars	13–19 months
Canines	16–23 months
Second molars	23–33 months

Most children have all 20 primary teeth by age 3.

Real Teething Symptoms

These are genuinely linked to teething:

• Drooling — often starts at 2–3 months (long before teeth appear), increases during teething
• Gum rubbing and biting — babies bite everything to counter the pressure of an emerging tooth
• Irritability — especially in the 3–5 days around a tooth breaking through
• Disturbed sleep — tooth pain can wake babies who normally sleep well
• Slightly raised temperature — up to 38°C (100.4°F) may coincide, though the direct link is debated

How to Help

Cold, not frozen. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring provides counter-pressure and numbing relief. Frozen teethers can damage gum tissue. A cold wet washcloth works just as well and costs nothing.

Gum massage. Gentle, firm pressure with a clean finger directly on the erupting gum relieves pain. Some babies calm briefly when gentle pressure reaches the sore area.

Age-appropriate pain relief. Infant acetaminophen (paracetamol), or ibuprofen after 6 months, can help with genuine teething pain when used according to weight-based dosing instructions or pediatrician guidance.

The First Dental Visit

Most dental organizations recommend the first dental visit by age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth — whichever comes first. Early visits establish a relationship with a dentist before any problems arise.

Brushing: Start when the first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day. Increase to pea-sized from age 3.

Tracking Teeth

Recording when each tooth appeared is more useful than it sounds — it helps you anticipate upcoming teeth, explain sudden fussiness to caregivers, and answer pediatrician questions accurately. Most parents are surprised how quickly they forget the dates.