Baby Teething: Everything You Need to Know

Typical Teething Timeline:

By age 3, most children have all 20 primary ("baby") teeth.

Normal Variation:

• •First tooth anywhere from 3 months to 12+ months is common
• •Some babies are born with teeth (natal teeth) — rare but normal
• •Teeth come in pairs and often cause symptoms 2–4 weeks before appearing
• •Girls tend to teethe slightly earlier than boys
• •Family history matters — if parents teethed late, baby likely will too

⚠️ If your baby has no teeth by 18 months, mention it to your pediatrician.

What Research Actually Shows:

REAL teething symptoms (well documented):

• •Drooling (often starts before first tooth, around 3–4 months)
• •Chewing on anything and everything
• •Gum swelling and tenderness
• •Fussiness and irritability (especially 3–5 days before/after tooth eruption)
• •Slight gum redness where tooth is pushing through
• •Disrupted sleep
• •Pulling at ears on the side where a tooth is coming in

MYTHS (not caused by teething):

• •High fever (over 101°F) — teething does NOT cause significant fever
• •Severe diarrhea — not caused by teething; see your doctor
• •Runny nose — teething doesn't cause colds
• •Rashes beyond chin/neck drool rash — may indicate illness

⚠️ Important: Blaming everything on teething delays finding real problems. If your baby has fever over 101°F, significant diarrhea, or seems genuinely unwell — call your doctor. Don't assume it's "just teething."

The Drool Rash:

Excessive drooling often causes a chin/neck rash. This IS teething-related.

• •Gently pat dry (don't rub)
• •Apply a thin barrier cream (plain petroleum jelly works)
• •Use bibs to keep chest dry
• •Wash affected area with mild soap

Evidence-Backed Relief Methods:

Cold:

• •Cold (not frozen) teething ring — 15–20 minutes in the fridge
• •Cold wet washcloth to chew on
• •Cold purees or mesh feeder with frozen fruit (for babies eating solids)

Pressure:

• •Clean finger massage on the gum — apply gentle but firm pressure
• •Silicone teething rings (no liquid-filled ones — they can burst)
• •Hard rubber teethers

Distraction:

• •Extra cuddles and snuggles
• •Going outside / change of environment
• •Bath time (often calms teething fussiness)

For older babies eating solids:

• •Cold cucumber slices (supervised)
• •Cold mango in a mesh feeder
• •Chilled unsweetened applesauce

What Pediatricians May Suggest:

• •Infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen for babies 6 months+ — follow dosing carefully
• •Always ask your pediatrician before giving medication

Products to Avoid:

❌ Teething gels with benzocaine (Orajel and similar):

• •The FDA warns against these for children under 2
• •Benzocaine can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia
• •It also washes away quickly and provides minimal benefit

❌ Amber teething necklaces:

• •The American Academy of Pediatrics says these are NOT safe
• •Strangulation risk if necklace catches on something
• •Choking hazard if beads break
• •No scientific evidence they help

❌ Frozen teethers:

• •Too hard for baby gums — can cause injury
• •Use refrigerated, not frozen

❌ Teething tablets with belladonna:

• •Some homeopathic teething tablets contain belladonna — toxic to babies
• •Avoid any product with belladonna/deadly nightshade listed

❌ Whiskey or alcohol on gums:

• •Even tiny amounts of alcohol are unsafe for babies
• •Old-fashioned remedy that should stay in the past

Start dental care with the first tooth:

Cleaning:

• •Use a soft infant toothbrush or silicone fingertip brush
• •Just water until age 2 (or ask your dentist)
• •After age 2: a rice-grain size of fluoride toothpaste
• •Brush gently twice daily

First Dental Visit:

• •The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends first visit by baby's first birthday
• •Or within 6 months of first tooth appearing
• •Establishes dental home and catches issues early

Protecting Baby Teeth:

• •Never put baby to bed with a bottle of milk/juice (causes "bottle rot")
• •Water in the bedtime bottle is fine
• •Limit sugary foods and drinks
• •Baby teeth matter — they hold space for adult teeth and help with speech

Teething and Breastfeeding:

If baby starts biting while nursing:

• •Say "no" firmly and unlatch immediately
• •Don't laugh or react dramatically (babies find reactions entertaining)
• •Watch for signs they're done eating and unlatch first
• •Most babies can be taught not to bite within days

Call your doctor if:

❗ Fever over 101°F (38.3°C) — teething doesn't cause this; your baby may be ill

❗ Significant diarrhea lasting more than a day

❗ Baby seems genuinely unwell beyond fussy

❗ Excessive drooling leading to chest rash or difficulty breathing

❗ Tooth appears infected (severe swelling, pus, extreme pain)

❗ No teeth by 18 months

❗ Baby seems in severe pain not relieved by normal methods

Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong beyond normal teething fussiness, call. It's always okay to check with your doctor.