Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, but the normal range stretches from about 4 to 12 months. Some babies are early sprouters, cutting a tooth at 3 or 4 months, while others celebrate their first birthday still gummy and grinning. Both ends of that spectrum are perfectly normal.
The Typical Teething Timeline
The first teeth to appear are almost always the two bottom front teeth (the lower central incisors). These usually show up around 6 months, followed shortly by the two upper front teeth. From there, teeth tend to come in pairs, working outward from the center of the mouth: the lateral incisors on either side, then the first molars, the canines (the pointy ones), and finally the second molars in the very back.
By age 3, most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth. The whole process takes roughly two and a half years from start to finish, which means teething is less a single event and more of a recurring experience that comes and goes in waves. Some teeth seem to slide in without any fuss at all, while others, particularly the molars, can cause several days of discomfort.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
Teething symptoms often show up a few days before you can actually see or feel the tooth breaking through the gum. The most common signs include increased drooling, red or swollen gums in the spot where a tooth is pushing through, fussiness, irritability, difficulty sleeping, a dip in appetite, and an intense urge to chew or bite on everything within reach. You might notice your baby gnawing on their fists, toys, or the edge of their crib rail.
These symptoms are real but mild. What teething does not cause is a high fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. Parents sometimes attribute these to teething because they happen to coincide with the age range when babies are also being exposed to new infections. If your baby has a temperature above 100°F, persistent diarrhea, or vomiting, something else is going on and it’s worth getting checked out rather than chalking it up to a new tooth.
What Helps With Teething Pain
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends simple, physical methods for soothing sore gums. Gently rubbing or massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger works well. You can also offer a firm rubber teething ring for your baby to chew on. Skip liquid-filled teethers, which can leak or break, and don’t freeze teething rings. A frozen ring becomes hard enough to bruise tender gums. Cool (not frozen) is fine.
Avoid over-the-counter numbing gels that contain benzocaine, which the FDA has warned against using in children under 2 due to the risk of a serious blood condition. Homeopathic teething tablets have also drawn safety concerns. The safest approach is the simplest: counter-pressure on the gums, something cold to chew, and patience.
Early and Late Teethers
Genetics play the biggest role in when teeth arrive. If you or your partner teethed early, your baby likely will too. Premature babies sometimes teeth a bit later when measured by calendar age, but they generally catch up. If your baby hasn’t developed any teeth by 9 months, it’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician. In most cases, the teeth are simply taking their time, but occasionally delayed eruption can be linked to underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or certain genetic syndromes.
On the other end, a small number of babies are born with one or two teeth already visible, called natal teeth. These are uncommon and usually not a problem, though a dentist may want to check that they’re firmly attached.
Caring for New Teeth
Start brushing as soon as that first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste, twice a day. That tiny amount of fluoride is safe to swallow and helps protect the enamel from the start. Baby teeth matter more than people realize: they hold space for permanent teeth and play a role in speech development and chewing.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your baby’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This initial visit is brief and mostly about getting your child comfortable in the dental chair, checking for early signs of decay, and giving you guidance on oral care at home.