When do Babies get Teeth?

Everything you need to know about teething, including how to ease your baby's pain.

by: Nancy Ripton

Teething

• When do babies get teeth? Some babies are born with teeth; others won’t get their first tooth until 18 months.
• Six months is the average age to get a first tooth.
• Early drooling isn’t usually a sign of teething. At around four months, an infant’s saliva increases, but her lip tone is not strong enough to hold it in her mouth.
• Cool, gentle pressure to the gums is the best way to alleviate tooth pain.

our five-month-old wants to put everything from paper to the phone in her mouth – she must be teething. Not necessarily, says Dr. Alan Greene, author of Raising Baby Green. There are so many potential symptoms for teething that it’s easy to blame everything on the anticipated appearance of a child’s teeth, he says. Here’s how to tell if a visit from the tooth fairy is imminent, or if something else is to blame:

Teething Symptoms

Teething symptoms vary and can range from severe to nothing at all. Most children will experience at least one of the following symptoms as their teeth prepare to break through their gums:

• trouble falling asleep
• fussiness
• drooling
• runny nose
• rash around the chin or mouth
• red cheeks
• swollen gums
• biting
• an increased need to suck
• rejection of breast or bottle
• congestion

When Do Babies Get Teeth

It is completely normal for your baby to get her first tooth at 18 months. And there are rare cases when an infant is born with teeth. For most children, however, that first tooth will appear around six months.

Traditional Teething Timetable

70% of of babies get teeth according to this guideline:

6 months: lower central incisors – cutting teeth
7 months: upper central incisors
7.5 months: lower lateral incisors
9 months: upper lateral incisors
12 months: lower first molars (bicuspids) – grinding and chewing teeth
14 months: upper first molars
16 months: lower canines (cuspids)
18 months: upper canines
20 months: lower second molars
24 months: upper second molars

Is baby teething?

Teething symptoms could be due to a host of other issues. To determine whether teething is to blame for your little one’s fussiness, look for a sudden change in behavior. “We used to think teeth moved gradually,” says Dr. Greene. “Now we know there are some days when teeth move a lot and others only a little.” Most children will only be bothered by the large, intense movements.

If in doubt, it never hurts to try a teething remedy. If you’re wrong, most symptoms aren’t a sign of anything that would need immediate attention – the exception is a fever. Anything over 100 degrees Fahrenheit warrants a trip to the doctor.

When teething isn’t to blame

At around four months, an infant’s saliva increases, but her lip tone isn’t strong enough to hold it in her mouth so drooling will increase. “Even watching you eat can produce excess saliva,” says Dr. Greene. Babies begin an exploratory oral phase around four months causing them to bring their hands, and pretty much any other object, to their mouths continually.

Providing Relief

“Not all kids are uncomfortable with teething,” says Dr. Greene. “And those who are may not be with every tooth.” If your child is fussy, there are some simple ways to ease her discomfort:
Gentle pressure
Gently massage your infant’s gums with a clean finger.
Teethers
Opt for firm plastic to limit exposure to bisphenol A, a potentially harmful chemical common in soft plastics. Or try a natural rubber or silicone teething toy.
Cold Comfort
Chewing on something cool is a great way to reduce inflammation and ease discomfort. Place crushed ice in a washcloth or terry toy and let your child chew on it for 10 to 15 minutes.
Homeopathic teething tablets
Natural brands, such as Hylands teething tablets, have safe, natural ingredients and melt in your child’s mouth to provide relief. (Consult a physician prior to use.)
Fever Aid
Once you’ve ruled out other potential causes of fever with a visit to the doctor, the recommended dose of Tempra can help reduce fever and provide comfort.