What It Means
Teething is the process of a baby's first teeth breaking through the gums. HealthyChildren.org, the AAP's site for parents, says the first tooth usually appears around 6 months, though discomfort can begin as early as 3 months. The American Dental Association adds that the first teeth are usually in the lower front and that most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age 3.
Try It: Sort Teething Remedies Into Use or Skip
For each remedy, choose Use or Skip. Answers come from the FDA, the AAP and the ADA.
A firm rubber teething ring, chilled in the fridge
Use. Chill it, but don't freeze it; frozen teethers get too hard.
Rubbing the gums with a clean finger
Use. The AAP suggests it, according to the FDA.
A numbing gel with benzocaine, for a 9-month-old
Skip. The FDA acted in 2018 against benzocaine teething products for children under 2.
Homeopathic teething tablets
Skip. The FDA tells families to stop using them.
An amber teething necklace
Skip. The FDA has reports of deaths and injuries, including strangulation and choking.
Sorted correctly
How Parents Say It
- "She's drooling through three bibs a day."
- "He's chewing on everything, must be teeth."
- "I can feel a little tooth coming in at the front."
The Breakdown
Teeth by age
| Age | What to expect | Source |
|---|---|---|
| From about 3 months | Teething discomfort can start | HealthyChildren.org |
| Around 6 months | First tooth, usually in the lower front | HealthyChildren.org; ADA |
| Up to about 12 months | Some babies don't get a first tooth until nearly their first birthday | HealthyChildren.org |
| About 3 years | Most children have all 20 baby teeth | ADA |
What teething does and doesn't cause, per HealthyChildren.org
| Can come with teething | Not caused by teething |
|---|---|
| Drooling | Fever |
| Rubbing or chewing on the gums | Diarrhea |
| Some fussiness | Diaper rashDiaper rashRed, irritated skin in the area a diaper covers, usually from wetness, rubbing or sensitive skin, and sometimes from a yeast or bacterial infection. See more or a runny nose |
When to talk to the doctor. HealthyChildren.org warns that blaming a fever on teething can delay care for an ear infection, a urinary tract infection or meningitis. A fever, diarrhea or a lot of crying means something else may be going on, so call your pediatrician. In an emergency, call 911.
Good to Know
The FDA took action in May 2018 against over-the-counter benzocaine teething products for children under 2, because benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and sometimes fatal drop in the blood's ability to carry oxygen. It has also warned families to stop using homeopathic teething tablets and gels, and it has reports of deaths and serious injuries, including strangulation and choking, from teething jewelry such as amber necklaces. The AAP's alternatives, as the FDA reports them, are rubbing the gums with a clean finger or offering a firm rubber teething ring.
FAQ
Can teething cause a fever?
No. HealthyChildren.org says teething doesn't cause fever, diarrhea, diaper rash or a runny nose. If your baby has a fever, call your pediatrician, since something else may be causing it.
When do babies start teething?
The first tooth usually comes in around 6 months, according to HealthyChildren.org and the ADA, and discomfort can start as early as 3 months. Some babies don't get a tooth until close to their first birthday.
Are amber teething necklaces safe?
The FDA has received reports of deaths and serious injuries, including strangulation and choking, from teething jewelry such as amber necklaces, so skip them.
Do It in Buhata
Notes and Reminders
Note the date each tooth appears in Notes (Premium) in Buhata, and set a Reminder for your baby's next well-baby visit so you can bring questions to the pediatrician.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Developmental milestones
Skills most children can do by a certain age, like rolling over or waving bye-bye. CDC places each at the age 75% or more of children reach it.
- Growth spurt
A short stretch when a child grows faster than usual in height and weight, common in the first year and again around puberty.
- 8-month sleep regression
Parents' name for a stretch of worse sleep around 8 to 10 months, when separation anxiety, new motor skills and nap changes often arrive.
Sources
HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "When Does Teething Start?"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Teething Pain Relief: How to Soothe Your Baby's Discomfort"; HealthyChildren.org (AAP), "Symptoms of Teething"; American Dental Association, MouthHealthy, "Teething" and "Baby Teeth"; FDA, "Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children"; FDA, "FDA takes action against the use of OTC benzocaine teething products due to serious safety risk, lack of benefit" (May 2018); FDA, "FDA warns against the use of homeopathic teething tablets and gels"
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx
- www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-Pain.aspx
- www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/symptom-checker/Pages/symptomviewer.aspx?symptom=Teething
- www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teething
- www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/baby-teeth
- www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children
- www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm608325.htm
- www.fda.gov/newsevents/newsroom/pressannouncements/ucm523468.htm
Last updated .