Symptoms of teething

When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Timeline, & Care Tips

6 min readUpdated June 20, 2025
Christopher B. Peltier
Medically reviewed by
Christopher B. Peltier
MD, FAAP

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Wondering “When do babies start teething?” Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months of age, though it can start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. The first teeth to appear are typically the bottom front teeth (lower central incisors), followed by the top front teeth. Every baby is different, and the timing can vary widely.
Here’s a quick overview to help you understand the teething timeline:
Signs of teething may include irritability, swollen gums, excessive drooling, and a desire to chew on objects. While teething can be uncomfortable, remedies like teething rings, cold fruit slices, or gentle gum massages can help soothe your baby.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Most babies start teething between 6 and 12 months, but some may get their first tooth a bit earlier or later. If you’re wondering at what age babies start teething, there’s a wide range—and that’s perfectly normal.
In rare cases, a baby might be born with a tooth or have one appear in the first few weeks.
If your baby is drooling more than usual, chewing on their hands, or has tender gums, these could be early signs of teething—a clue that teething age has arrived.

How Long Does Teething Last: Understanding the Stages

If you’re wondering how long teething lasts, the full process typically stretches over about two years. Most babies will have their full set of 20 primary teeth sometime between their second and third birthdays.
But how long does teething pain last during that time? The discomfort usually comes and goes. Many babies feel sore for a few days before each new tooth breaks through. Then things tend to settle—until the next one starts to come in.

Signs and Symptoms of Teething: What to Expect

Teething can look different for every baby. Sometimes a tooth appears with little to no warning. Other times, signs of teething may start 3 or 4 days before a tooth pushes through the gumline.
Not sure how to tell if your baby is teething? Here are some of the most common teething symptoms to look for:
  • Irritability. A bit more fussiness or crying than usual may be a clue that your little one is uncomfortable.
  • Disturbed sleep. Teething discomfort can make it harder for babies to settle or stay asleep at night.
  • Increased drooling. Extra saliva is a classic sign your baby is teething. It may even help soothe their gums.
  • Chewing on things. You might notice your little one gnawing on toys, hands, or a teething ring. This helps relieve the pressure from their baby’s gums when teething.
  • Sore, swollen gums. The area where a tooth is coming in may look red or puffy—one of the clearest signs of teething in infants.
  • Low-grade temperature. Mild warmth may occur, but teething is unlikely to cause a fever over 101°F. If your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, or if you’re concerned at any point, consult your little one’s healthcare provider.

What’s Normal and What’s Not During Teething

Most babies experience teething symptoms like mild irritability, gum swelling, drooling, and a slight temperature rise. But it’s helpful to know which symptoms may not be caused by teething and could signal something else.
Here’s how to tell the difference:
  • Does teething cause fever? A mild temperature increase, typically under 100.4°F (38°C), can occur. But a high fever is not caused by teething and may point to an illness.
  • Can teething cause diarrhea or a runny nose? While these often show up around the same time as teething, they aren’t caused by it. Diarrhea or nasal congestion is more likely from a viral infection.
  • Can teething cause vomiting or appetite loss? No, vomiting is not a normal teething symptom. If your little one shows signs of stomach upset or a major change in eating, speak with your baby’s healthcare provider.
  • Can a face rash occur when teething? A teething rash around the mouth or chin can be caused by drooling. But a widespread or severe rash may be something else, like an allergy or skin irritation.
If your baby has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or any unusual or intense symptoms, check in with your baby’s healthcare provider to rule out other causes.

Teething Timeline: From First Tooth to Full Smile

When each tooth comes in and in what order varies from child to child, but here’s a general idea of the teething timeline by age:
Top Teeth
  • Central incisors (the front teeth): 8 to 12 months 
  • Lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front teeth): 9 to 13 months
  • Canines, or cuspids (the sharp, pointy teeth on either side of the lateral incisors): 16 to 22 months
  • First molars (the back teeth used to grind food): 13 to 19 months
  • Second molars (the back teeth that fill in the last gaps): 25 to 33 months
Bottom Teeth
  • Central incisors (the front teeth): 6 to 10 months
  • Lateral incisors (the teeth on either side of the front teeth): 10 to 16 months
  • Canines, or cuspids (the sharp, pointy teeth on either side of the lateral incisors): 17 to 23 months
  • First molars (the back teeth used to grind food): 14 to 18 months
  • Second molars (the back teeth that fill in the last gaps): 23 to 31 months

How to Help Soothe Your Teething Baby: Proven Remedies

Teething can be uncomfortable, especially at night, but there are simple ways you can offer some relief to a teething baby. Every child is different, so you may need to try a few options to see what helps most. 
Here are two gentle teething remedies that many parents find helpful:
  • Massage the gums. For natural gum pain relief, try gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger. It’s a quick, soothing option and one of the most effective home remedies for sore gums.
  • Offer something safe to chew on. Chewing helps relieve pressure. You can chill certain safe items in the fridge, not the freezer, to give your little one a cooling relief. (We’ll talk more about teething toys next.)
Avoid using pain relivers that you rub on your babies’ gums. They aren’t very helpful and can cause numbing of the back of the throat, which can result in swallowing problems. If your baby is clearly uncomfortable, talk to your healthcare provider about giving a weight appropriate dose of acetaminophen, or, if your baby is older than 6 months, ibuprofen. 
These tips may also serve as home remedies for a teething baby at night, when discomfort tends to interrupt sleep. If you're not sure how to help your teething baby or your little one seems especially unsettled, your baby’s healthcare provider can help guide you.

Best Teething Toys for Babies

When your baby is teething, having something safe to chew on can make a big difference. Teething toys help apply gentle pressure to the gums, which can ease discomfort and offer a welcome distraction.
One common option is a teething ring, which many babies find soothing, especially when it’s chilled in the fridge for extra relief. Just make sure it’s not frozen solid, which could be too harsh for your little one’s sensitive mouth.
The best teething toys for babies are easy to grip, made from baby-safe materials, and designed specifically for soothing sore gums. Silicone or rubber textures tend to be favorites, and some are shaped to reach the back of the mouth as molars start to come in.
Always check the label to ensure the toy is age-appropriate and supervise your baby during teething play.
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Caring for Your Baby’s New Teeth: Essential Tips

It’s important to start caring for your baby’s teeth (or tooth) as soon as the first one pokes through. Those baby teeth must last several years before they’re replaced with adult teeth, and establishing good dental hygiene habits early on will help set your little one up for healthy teeth and gums throughout their life. 
Taking steps to prevent cavities and tooth decay in the baby teeth is just as important as it is with adult teeth, because decay in these teeth can affect the permanent teeth that follow and cause other dental problems like pain and infections. Read on to discover when to start brushing your baby’s teeth and more care tips.

Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth

Wondering when to start brushing baby teeth? Start as soon as the first tooth comes in. Regular brushing—twice a day—is key for keeping baby teeth clean and healthy.
Tips for brushing your baby’s teeth:
  • Brush twice a day, especially after sugary foods or drinks, and before bed.
  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. Around age 2 or 3, you can switch to a pea-sized amount.
  • Focus on brushing each tooth from all angles, including the back and sides.
  • For now, you’ll need to brush your baby’s teeth. As they reach the toddler and preschool stage, help them begin to brush their teeth under your close supervision. You'll need to lend a hand until they’re 7 or 8 years old to ensure those teeth get thoroughly cleaned. Here are some ideas for how to make brushing more fun for both of you.

Diet

Your little one’s diet is a big part of dental health. Avoid giving your child sugary drinks like fruit juice and sodas, or sticky-sweet snacks like gum, toffee, and sticky caramel. Also, don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup of milk, formula, juice, or any other sweet drink, as this can cause the sugary liquid to pool in his mouth and lead to tooth decay.
For more on caring for your baby’s teeth, check out our article on dental care for children.

Dental Checkups

Plan your baby's first dental visit within 6 months of the first tooth, or by 12 months old—whichever comes first.
Your baby's healthcare provider will also check their mouth during regular well-baby visits. And of course, you can always schedule a dentist appointment if you have any concerns in the meantime.

When to See Your Baby’s Healthcare Provider

If your little one has symptoms like fever, diarrhea, or unusual irritability, and you’re unsure if it’s related to teething or something else, it’s best to check in with your baby’s healthcare provider. They can offer a proper diagnosis and ensure nothing more serious is going on.
You should also reach out if your little one seems to be in significant discomfort from teething. The provider may suggest safe ways to manage pain, but avoid numbing teething gels, which may be harmful to infants.
Finally, contact your baby’s provider or dentist if your child has a tooth injury, like a chipped or broken tooth. It’s always safer to have it checked, even if your baby seems unbothered.

Interesting Facts About Baby Teeth

  • On average, about 4 teeth erupt every 6 months during early childhood.
  • Sometimes a baby is born with teeth—called natal teeth—though this is rare and usually involves just one or two early arrivals.
  • Girls’ teeth may come in a bit earlier than boys’ teeth.
  • Bottom teeth typically emerge before the same ones on top.
  • Teeth usually erupt in symmetrical pairs—one on each side of the jaw around the same time.
  • Milk teeth (also known as primary teeth) are smaller and whiter than the adult teeth that follow.
  • Around age 4, your child’s face and jaw will begin to grow, creating space between teeth—this is normal and makes room for permanent teeth.
  • How many teeth do babies have? A full set includes 20 milk teeth, but your child will eventually have 28 to 32 adult teeth by their teens or early twenties.

FAQS AT A GLANCE

Signs may include fussiness, disrupted sleep, swollen or tender gums, lots of drooling, and a strong urge to chew on fingers or toys. These teething symptoms often show up a few days before a tooth breaks through the gumline.

The Bottom Line

Teething can be a tough phase—for your little one and you—but it’s also a meaningful milestone. Those little teeth will soon help your child bite into new foods and support their speech and development.
If that first tooth hasn’t shown up yet, hang in there—it’s likely just around the corner. Each new arrival brings your baby one step closer to a full, confident smile.
Caring for those tiny milk teeth now sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy habits. Before you know it, your little one’s grin will be full of some of the cutest, brightest teeth you’ve ever seen.
Don’t forget to check out the Pampers Rewards App—it’s a great way to earn rewards and unlock digital offers just by purchasing diapers and wipes. 

The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

About Christopher B. Peltier

Pediatrician at Pediatric Associates of Mount Carmel, Inc.; Cincinnati, OH

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