One day your baby is a cheerful bundle of giggles. The next, they’re drooling like a leaky faucet, gnawing on everything in sight, and waking you three times a night. Is it a growth spurt? A cold? Or is it teething?
Teething can feel like a mystery because the signs overlap with so many other things. Every baby is also different. Some barely notice a new tooth, while others seem miserable for weeks. Knowing what’s typical at each stage helps you respond calmly, ease your baby’s discomfort, and recognize when something else might be going on.
This guide walks through teething symptoms and the timeline, age by age, from the earliest hints around four months to the last molars at two or three years. It also covers safe relief methods, myths to ignore, and when to call a professional.
What Is Teething?
Teething is the process of baby teeth, also called primary teeth, pushing up through the gums. Your baby’s teeth were actually forming before birth, hidden inside the jaw. As they move toward the surface, the gum tissue stretches and becomes tender, and that pressure causes most teething symptoms.
Most children get 20 baby teeth by about age three. Teething doesn’t happen all at once. It comes in waves, with each new tooth or group of teeth bringing its own mini-phase of discomfort, then relief.
Common Teething Symptoms
Teething signs vary from baby to baby, but these are the most common:
- Increased drooling, which can cause a chin or chest rash
- Chewing and gnawing on hands, toys, and furniture
- Swollen, tender, or slightly red gums
- Fussiness and irritability, often worse at night
- Trouble sleeping or more frequent waking
- Rubbing the face or cheeks, or pulling at an ear
- Reduced appetite, particularly with solid foods or bottle feeding
- A small bluish or bruised-looking bump on the gum where a tooth is about to break through
These signs may appear a few days before a tooth emerges and typically ease once the tooth breaks through the gum.
Symptoms That Are Not Caused by Teething
Teething is often blamed for problems it doesn’t cause. Pediatric experts note that teething does not cause:
- A true fever (100.4°F / 38°C or higher)
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting
- A widespread rash
- Persistent cough or congestion
- Extreme lethargy or refusing to feed
If your baby has any of these, call your pediatrician. They may have a cold, an ear infection, or another illness that needs attention.
How to Tell Teething From Illness
A helpful clue is timing and pattern. Teething discomfort usually comes and goes over several days, improves with comfort measures, and leaves your baby otherwise alert and willing to play. Illness more often brings a persistent fever, congestion, or unusual sleepiness that doesn’t lift. If you’re ever unsure, trust your instincts and check with your pediatrician rather than assuming it’s “just teething.”
The Teething Timeline, Age by Age
Every child follows their own schedule, and the ranges below are guidelines, not deadlines. Eruption timing often runs in families, so ask relatives when they started teething.
Birth to 3 Months: Not Yet Teething
Babies at this age may drool and put their hands in their mouths, but that’s usually normal development, not teething. Oral care at this stage means wiping the gums gently after feedings with a clean, damp cloth. A few babies are born with a tooth, called a natal tooth, which should be checked by a pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
3 to 5 Months: Early Signs Appear
Around the third and fourth month, many parents suspect teething. Your baby may drool more, chew on fists, and seem fussier. In most cases, teeth won’t appear for a while yet. These early signs often reflect your baby’s growing coordination and developing salivary glands, with the first tooth still weeks or months away.
What to do: Offer a clean, chilled teething ring, keep a bib handy, and wipe drool to protect the skin. Remember that this is a good time to start learning gentle oral care habits.
6 to 10 Months: The First Teeth Arrive
This is the classic window for the first tooth. The bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) usually appear first, followed by the top front teeth. Symptoms tend to be noticeable but manageable: drooling, chewing, irritability, and some sleep disruption.
What to do: Once a tooth erupts, begin brushing twice daily with a soft infant toothbrush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste. Schedule a first dental visit by your baby’s first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth.
8 to 13 Months: Top and Side Teeth
The upper central and lateral incisors usually emerge now, giving your baby a more complete front-tooth grin. Some babies sail through this stage. Others become clingy and wake at night. Both are completely normal.
What to do: Keep a consistent routine. Comfort, cuddles, and predictable nap and bedtime rituals help babies feel secure when they’re uncomfortable.
10 to 16 Months: Lateral Incisors Fill In
The lower lateral incisors typically show up, bringing your baby to as many as eight front teeth. Babies can now bite into soft foods more easily.
What to do: Offer safe finger foods and cool, soft items like chilled cucumber sticks (with close supervision) to soothe gums.
13 to 19 Months: First Molars
The first molars are wider, flatter teeth that sit toward the back. Because they’re larger, many parents find molar teething the hardest. Expect more drooling, chewing, fussiness, and sleepless nights, and perhaps a dip in appetite.
What to do: Be patient and increase comfort measures. Cold washcloths and firm teething rings can help. Continue brushing, since these teeth have deep grooves where food collects. Wipe away drool often.
16 to 23 Months: Canines
The pointed canine teeth, sometimes called “eye teeth,” come in next, usually after the first molars. They can cause intense but short-lived discomfort because they push through the gum at a sharper point.
What to do: Stay consistent with comfort strategies and watch for sleep regression. It usually passes within days.
23 to 33 Months: Second Molars
The second molars are the final baby teeth and the largest. Their arrival completes the set of 20, typically by age two and a half or three. Toddlers may be able to tell you “my mouth hurts,” which makes comfort easier.
What to do: Offer cool water, soft foods, and distractions. Because these teeth sit far back, they’re harder to clean, so brush the back gently and thoroughly.
Ages 3 and Beyond: All Baby Teeth In
By around age three, most children have all 20 primary teeth. Teething then pauses until around age six, when the first permanent teeth begin to arrive and baby teeth start to loosen.
If you’d like a deeper look at which tooth comes in when, you can pair this guide with a baby teeth eruption chart and ask your dentist about your child’s pattern.
Quick Reference: Teething Timeline at a Glance
| Age Range | What’s Happening | Typical Symptoms |
| 0–3 months | No teething yet | Normal drooling, hands in mouth |
| 3–5 months | Early signs may begin | Drooling, chewing, fussiness |
| 6–10 months | Bottom front teeth emerge | Sore gums, sleep changes |
| 8–13 months | Top front teeth emerge | Irritability, chewing |
| 10–16 months | Lower lateral incisors | Mild fussiness |
| 13–19 months | First molars | Often more intense discomfort |
| 16–23 months | Canines | Short bursts of crankiness |
| 23–33 months | Second molars | Chewing, drooling, sore back gums |
Safe Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
When gums ache, simple, gentle approaches work best.
- Gum massage. Wash your hands and rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger for a minute or two.
- Chilled teething rings. Use solid rubber or silicone rings cooled in the refrigerator, not the freezer. Frozen rings can be too hard and may hurt the gums.
- A cold, damp washcloth. Let your baby chew on a clean, chilled cloth while you supervise.
- Cold foods for older babies. If your child is eating solids, chilled fruit or yogurt can be comforting.
- Extra comfort. Cuddles, a calm environment, and distraction matter as much as any product.
- Pain relief, if needed. If your baby seems very uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician about age-appropriate medication and dosing before giving anything.
Owl Pediatric & Orthodontic Dentistry shares more tips in its guide to baby teething symptoms and relief.
What to Avoid During Teething
Some popular remedies can do more harm than good:
- Benzocaine gels and numbing products. Health authorities warn against them for infants because of rare but serious risks.
- Homeopathic teething tablets and gels, which have been the subject of safety warnings.
- Amber teething necklaces or bracelets, which pose choking and strangulation hazards.
- Frozen or very hard teething items, which can bruise gums.
- Rubbing alcohol or other substances on the gums, which are unsafe.
When in doubt, choose simple and safe, and check with a professional.
Caring for Teeth as They Come In
New teeth need protection right away.
- Start brushing at the first tooth, twice a day with a soft, infant-sized brush.
- Use a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste until age three.
- Wipe gums after feedings if teeth haven’t appeared yet.
- Avoid bedtime bottles of milk, formula, or juice, which can lead to decay.
- Limit sugary drinks and snacks.
The practice’s dentistry for infants services include teething support, gum and tooth exams, and feeding and habit counseling. As your child grows, the dentistry for toddlers page explains how care evolves. You can also read about the practice’s broader infant and toddler dental services to see how preventive care continues from the first tooth through the preschool years.
When to Call a Dentist or Pediatrician
Most teething is routine. Still, contact a professional if you notice:
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or any fever in a baby under three months
- Severe diarrhea, vomiting, or a widespread rash
- Refusing to eat or drink for an extended period
- Swollen, bleeding, or pus-filled gums
- No teeth by about 15 to 18 months
- Teeth that come in with unusual color, spacing, or position
- A tooth that looks injured or discolored
You can read more about what happens at your child’s first visit if you’re unsure when to schedule it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies start teething?
Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months, and the first tooth usually appears between 6 and 10 months. Some babies start earlier or later and are perfectly healthy.
How long does teething last for each tooth?
Symptoms typically last a few days around the time each tooth breaks through the gums. The full teething process lasts until about age three.
Does teething cause a fever?
Teething may cause a slight rise in temperature, but not a true fever. If your baby’s temperature reaches 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, contact your pediatrician.
Why does teething seem worse at night?
During the day, distractions and activity keep babies occupied. At night, those distractions fade, so discomfort feels stronger.
Are molars harder to teethe than front teeth?
Often, yes. Molars are larger and take longer to emerge, so many babies show more discomfort with them.
What if my baby has no teeth at one year?
That’s not unusual. Many healthy babies get their first tooth near or after their first birthday. A dental visit by age one is still recommended.
Final Thoughts: This Phase Will Pass
Teething can test even the calmest parent’s patience, but it’s temporary, and every tooth is a milestone worth celebrating. With the right comfort strategies, an eye on symptoms that aren’t teething, and good oral care from the first tooth, you can make the process smoother for both of you.
If you have questions about your baby’s teething, or you’d like to schedule that first checkup, the pediatric specialists at Owl Pediatric & Orthodontic Dentistry in Bloomingdale, IL are ready to guide your family through every stage of your child’s smile.
