Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old, though the exact timing varies widely. Some babies sprout a tooth as early as 3 months, while others don’t see one until after their first birthday. Both ends of that spectrum are usually perfectly normal.
Which Teeth Come In First
The lower front teeth (central incisors) almost always lead the way, typically appearing between 5 and 8 months. The upper front teeth follow shortly after, usually between 6 and 10 months. From there, teeth tend to fill in from front to back:
- Lateral incisors (the teeth flanking the front two): 7 to 12 months
- First molars: 11 to 18 months
- Canines (the pointed teeth): 16 to 20 months
- Second molars: 20 to 30 months
By age 2½ to 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth. These ranges come from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, which also notes that many otherwise normal infants don’t follow the schedule strictly. If your baby’s teeth arrive a few months early or late, or in a slightly different order, that alone isn’t a concern.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
Before a tooth breaks through, you’ll likely notice your baby drooling more than usual and chewing on anything within reach: fingers, toys, the edge of a bib. The gums where a tooth is coming in may look swollen or feel firm to the touch. Many babies get fussy or have disrupted sleep for a few days around each new tooth.
One persistent myth is that teething causes fevers. It doesn’t. Teething can nudge your baby’s temperature up slightly, but it won’t reach 100.4°F (38°C), which is the clinical threshold for a fever. If your baby has a true fever, something else is going on, and it’s worth investigating rather than chalking it up to teething. The same goes for diarrhea and rashes, which parents often attribute to teething but aren’t caused by it.
Very Early and Very Late Teeth
About 1 in every 289 newborns worldwide is born with at least one tooth already visible, known as a natal tooth. These teeth sometimes run in families and are occasionally linked to hormonal or genetic conditions. Natal teeth are often not fully developed and may be loose, which can pose a choking risk. A pediatric dentist or pediatrician can evaluate whether the tooth should stay or be removed.
On the other end, some babies are still toothless at 12 months. This is more common in premature babies and can also be a family trait. If no teeth have appeared by your child’s first birthday, it’s a good idea to have a pediatric dentist take a look. And if the full set of baby teeth hasn’t come in by age 4, that also warrants a dental evaluation to rule out any underlying issues with tooth development.
Safe Ways to Ease Teething Pain
The simplest relief is something cold and firm for your baby to gnaw on. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a cold washcloth, or even a clean finger rubbed along the gums can help. The gentle pressure counteracts the discomfort of a tooth pushing through.
If your baby seems genuinely miserable, infant acetaminophen is an option for babies of any age, dosed by weight. Ibuprofen is another choice but only for babies 6 months and older. Your pediatrician can confirm the right dose for your child’s weight. Both medications are effective for short-term use around the worst teething days.
What you should avoid is more important than what you try. The FDA has issued strong warnings against using teething gels or creams containing benzocaine or lidocaine on infants. Benzocaine (the active ingredient in products like Orajel and Anbesol) can cause a dangerous condition where red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. Lidocaine solutions can lead to seizures, heart problems, and severe brain injury in young children. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been flagged for safety concerns. The FDA’s position is clear: these products offer little benefit for teething pain and carry serious risks, including death.
Amber teething necklaces are another product to skip entirely. The FDA has received reports of strangulation and choking deaths linked to teething jewelry. No evidence supports the claim that amber releases a pain-relieving substance through the skin.
When to Schedule That First Dental Visit
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends your child see a dentist by their first birthday or within six months of their first tooth, whichever comes first. So if a tooth pops through at 6 months, aim to schedule a visit by 12 months. These early appointments are brief. The dentist checks for proper development, looks at how the teeth are coming in, and talks through brushing basics with you. Starting early also helps your child get comfortable with dental visits before they’re old enough to be anxious about them.
Once that first tooth is in, brush it twice a day with a soft-bristled infant toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. It sounds like a tiny amount, and it is, but it’s enough to protect the enamel while being safe if swallowed.