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The journey of baby teething can be challenging and finding teething remedies and toys that help your child may take time.
You’ve successfully survived the first few months of this delightful new chapter of parenthood. Then, just as your bundle of joy is sleeping long hours, expressing himself with cooing and laughing and reaching out to your smiling face, your baby suddenly starts to drool and chew on everything within reach, resulting in interrupted sleep patterns from bouts of unexplained fussiness. These changes might be signs of teething in your baby.
When your baby starts teething or showing symptoms of teething, knowledge is power. Read on to discover some updated information about how to help with baby teething during this potentially challenging time. It’s important to be prepared and know about what baby teething is, symptoms as teeth come in and which teething products on the market are best for your child.
In this blog:
- What is baby teething?
- When do babies start teething?
- Baby teeth order and how long teething lasts
- Teething chart
- Signs and symptoms of teething in babies
- What is not baby teething?
- Baby teething relief and teething remedies
- Baby teething safety tips
- Baby teething products: Benzocaine and belladonna warning
What is baby teething?
Baby teething is the natural process when a baby’s first teeth (called primary teeth or baby teeth) begin to break through the gums. This process typically starts with the bottom front teeth (called the central incisors) pushing through the gums, followed by the top front teeth.
While teething is a normal part of development, it can cause discomfort as teeth move up through the gums, making your teething baby fussier than usual.
When do babies start teething?
Most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months old, although some may begin a little earlier or later.
Every baby is different. Some infants might sprout their first tooth around 3 months, while others may not get one until after their first birthday. By about 3 years old, most children will have a full set of 20 baby teeth.
Baby teeth order and how long teething lasts
Baby teeth usually erupt in a predictable order:
- Bottom central incisors (front bottom teeth)
- Top central incisors (front top teeth)
- Top lateral incisors (next to the top front teeth)
- Bottom lateral incisors (next to the bottom front teeth)
- First molars (back teeth used for chewing)
- Canines (pointed teeth)
- Second molars (very back teeth)
Teething typically continues to age 3. The discomfort from teething often comes and goes as each new tooth emerges, and each episode can last about 3–8 days per tooth.
Teething chart
Here’s a simple teething chart to help you understand what to expect. Keep in mind these are general guidelines. Some babies may get teeth earlier or later than the average age or in a different order. Those individual variations are nothing to worry about.
| Age (months) | Teeth likely to emerge |
| 4-7 months | 2 front bottom teeth |
| 8-12 months | 2 front top teeth |
| 9-13 months | 2 top lateral incisors (next to front teeth) |
| 10-16 months | 2 bottom lateral incisors (next to front teeth) |
| 13-19 months | 4 first molars (back teeth) |
| 16-23 months | 4 canines (pointed teeth) |
| 23-33 months | 4 second molars (very back teeth) |
Signs and symptoms of teething in babies
Recognizing the signs of teething in babies can help you provide comfort. Common symptoms of teething in babies include:
- Decreased appetite
- Desire to chew on hands and most items brought to mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Fussiness or irritability
- Rubbing their cheeks or pulling their ears
- Swollen, tender or red gums
- Trouble sleeping
- Visible teeth appearing beneath the gums
Note: A slight rise in temperature can happen during teething, but a high fever or diarrhea isn’t normal and could be a sign of illness. Always consult your pediatrician if you’re unsure.
What is not baby teething?
It’s common for parents to attribute many baby discomforts to teething, but teething is often blamed for unrelated symptoms. While mild fussiness and drooling are normal, teething doesn’t cause:
- Diarrhea
- High fevers
- Persistent coughing or cold-like symptoms
- Rashes
- Seizures
- Vomiting
If your teething baby has any of these symptoms, contact your pediatrician. These signs are more likely linked to illness or infection, not teething.
Baby teething relief and teething remedies
When those tiny teeth are on the move, your baby may be uncomfortable. Here are safe, gentle ways to help a teething baby find relief:
- Gum massage: Wash your hands and gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger to ease pressure.
- Cold washcloth: Dampen a clean cloth, chill it and let your baby chew on it for comfort. Avoid freezing the washcloth through, as hard cloth could bruise gums.
- Teething toys: Offer a clean, firm teething ring or toy. Chilling it in the refrigerator (not freezer) can soothe sore gums. Offer teething rings made of firm rubber. Avoid teething rings containing liquids to avoid breakage and leaking.
- Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding: Suckling can be soothing for many babies during teething discomfort.
- Extra cuddles: Physical comfort helps your baby feel secure during teething.
- Over-the-counter pain relief: If needed, ask your pediatrician before using infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Tip: Always supervise your baby when using teething toys or remedies.
Baby teething safety tips
Safety is just as important as comfort during teething. Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck or any body part. It can cause choking or strangulation.
- Avoid using teething necklaces made of amber due to strangulation and choking concerns.
- Check teething toys regularly for cracks, loose parts or mold.
- Clean teething toys often with warm, soapy water and rinse thoroughly.
- Avoid freezing teething toys. They can become too hard and harm your baby’s gums.
- Never rub aspirin or alcohol against the gums or teeth.
Baby teething products: Benzocaine and belladonna warning
Teething toys and other products can be wonderful tools for teething baby relief, but they must be used safely. Here’s what parents should know:
- Choose BPA-free, non-toxic teething toys that are one solid piece (no small detachable parts).
- Avoid products that contain benzocaine for children under age 2. Benzocaine is a local anesthetic marketed to reduce pain from teething, sore throat and canker sores. Common brand name products containing benzocaine include Anbesol®, Baby Orajel®, Cēpacol®, Cloraseptic® and Orabase®, which are available for purchase in most U.S. drug stores and supermarkets, alongside generic and store brand options. Benzocaine can cause serious — even life-threatening — side effects in infants and young children.
- Avoid using homeopathic teething tablets and gels with belladonna. Belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade, is a plant with extremely toxic leaves and berries that has been used as both a poison and medicine throughout history.
- Avoid toys filled with liquid or gel, which can leak if punctured.
Bottom line: Safe teething toys, along with close supervision, can help soothe sore teething gums while keeping your baby safe and happy.
When those pearly white teeth finally erupt and your baby shows off his first toothy grin, every minute of parental angst over teething will be well worth it. Every stage of your precious bundle’s life will come with its own achievements and challenges.
If you have teething concerns and would like to set up an appointment with Texas Children’s Pediatrics, find a location near you. We’re here to help our families every step of the way. No matter the issue, big or small, please know we are only a phone call or email away.
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