If your infant seems fussier than usual, you might wonder whether baby teeth are starting to come through.
Here's what you need to know about baby teeth: when to expect them, signs and symptoms of teething and the best ways to ease your child's discomfort (and yours, since teething can disrupt everyone's rest!).
When do babies start teething?
Your child's first baby teeth—also called primary teeth—typically make an appearance between 6 to 10 months. However, your baby may begin to feel teething discomfort weeks or even months beforehand—possibly as early as 3 months.
Babies are born with all 20 primary teeth already in their jaws. The first to emerge are your child's lower central incisors—the front two teeth on the bottom. (Here's a
full-mouth chart
showing when you can expect other teeth to come through.)
By
age 3, your child will have a full set of primary teeth to help them chew and digest a wide range of solid foods. Healthy teeth also help your child speak clearly and smile with confidence.
What are some common signs of teething in babies?
Fussiness is one signal that the gums around your baby's emerging teeth are swollen and tender, causing mild pain. Studies show that teething babies may:
Drool. You may see much clearer spit than usual.
Chew more. Teething babies love to put toys, fingers and other objects in their mouths and bite down on them.
Develop a rash around the mouth. This is typically a side effect of drooling, since your child's spit contains small bits of food that can irritate their delicate skin.
Can teething cause fever in babies?
Though many parents expect a fever when baby teeth start to break through, extensive studies show this is a
false symptom of teething.
Other false signs of teething include:
Crying. Teething discomfort is generally not severe enough to make your baby cry more than usual. However, crying might mean your child is sick; consult your pediatrician if you're seeing more crying, more often.
Diarrhea. Teething does not change the way your baby's gut works. Since diarrhea is a possible sign of infection, call your pediatrician if this symptom lasts more than a day.
Diaper rash. Teething doesn't make your baby's skin more sensitive (except possibly around the mouth), so any
diaper rash you see is a reaction to something else.
Difficulty fighting off colds or flu. Teething also doesn't affect your child's immune system, but since babies and toddlers tend to put almost everything in their mouths, they may take in more germs (leading to more colds, flu or infections).
How can I ease my baby's teething discomfort?
Here are some tried-and-true ways of helping a teething child feel better.
Soft teething toys. Rubber and plastic toys can safely soothe aching gums. Many are also designed to help your child develop
fine motor skills motor skills such as grasping and holding.
Chilly chomps. Try twisting up a damp washcloth and placing it in your freezer. Your little one will love chewing on it. (Tie a knot in one end for better gnawing.) There are special teething devices that let your baby safely suck on an ice cube or a piece of frozen fruit. Don't let your baby chew directly on anything that's frozen solid, since hard objects might hurt tender gums.
Sippy cups. If your child is over
6 months old, offer them a sippy cup filled with cold water. Many cups have soft, rubbery spouts that your little one can also chew and suck on for extra relief.
Massage. A light, gentle rub will soothe your baby's gums. Wash your hands first, then simply massage the sore spots in your child's mouth with your fingertip or knuckle. Let your child gnaw on your fingers, too – this can be especially comforting when you're putting them down for a nap or when they wake during the night.
Pain medication. Numbing gels made for a baby's gums usually aren't helpful, since excess drool washes them away quickly. In fact, topical anesthetics can be
dangerous for babies (see more on this below). These medications can also numb the back of your baby's throat, making it hard for them to swallow. If your baby seems very uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician about remedies such as
acetaminophen.
How can I help a teething child sleep better?
Alhough
frequent use of acetaminophen can cause health problems for children, moderate use is considered safe. If your child is fussy and uncomfortable, a nighttime dose might ease them into sleep. You might also try:
A comforting
bath
A bedtime
massage (add scented lotions or oils if you like)
A little white noise, taking care to use a low setting that won't
harm their hearing
If your child wakes up frequently at night or during naps, you can often soothe them back to sleep with:
Are there any teething remedies that can harm my baby?
Avoid these products, which can be harmful:
Treatments with benzocaine, a numbing agent, can be dangerous for children. Studies have linked them with a serious, sometimes fatal condition called
methemoglobinemia, which affects how your baby's red blood cells carry oxygen.
Remedies with
lidocaine, a prescription drug often used for mouth pain, are also unsafe for young children. They have been linked with heart problems, severe brain injury, seizures and even death.
Alcohol, whether rubbing alcohol or an alcoholic beverage, is not safe for infants. Alcohol that is applied to the gums is quickly absorbed into a child's bloodstream. This can have dangerous consequences, including seizures.
Homeopathic teething tablets or gels, particularly those containing
belladonna or
coffea cruda. Although derived from plant sources, these ingredients may be dangerous for infants.
Liquid-filled teething toys that can tear or spring a leak, leaving sharp edges that might hurt your baby's mouth. Liquid escaping from a broken toy may also be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Teething necklaces made of
amber,
wood,
marble or
silicone pose serious risks for choking and strangulation.
Remember
Teething is a natural milestone in your child's early development.
Fussiness, drooling and enthusiastic chewing are all part of teething. However, teething does
not cause fever, diarrhea or excess crying. If you see these symptoms, call your child's doctor.
There are plenty of drug-free ways to soothe your baby's symptoms, but an occasional dose of acetaminophen may bring relief for everyone. Ask your pediatrician or family doctor for tips on safe use of pain medications for your child.
More information