We still remember the night it started: drool everywhere, constant chewing on tiny fists, and cries that didn’t match hunger or tiredness. At first, we thought it was just another growth spurt or a bad sleep day. But then we spotted it — the faint outline of a tooth pushing through.
Teething feels like one of those parenting milestones you know is coming, yet it still takes you by surprise. One day, gummy smiles. The next, a sharp little tooth that changes your baby’s grin forever. It’s exciting, but it can also be rough on everyone in the house.
In short: most babies get their first tooth at around 6 months (often a bottom front tooth), and most have all 20 baby teeth by about 2–3 years. The exact timing varies a lot from baby to baby.
What is teething?
Teething is the process of your baby’s teeth pushing through the gums. Most babies start at around 6 months, but some start before 4 months and some after 12 months. Some teeth come through with no pain at all, while others bring a few rough days and nights.
Common signs of teething (NHS):
- Red, sore gums where the tooth is coming through
- Dribbling (drooling) more than usual
- Chewing on hands, toys, or anything within reach
- A flushed cheek or a rash on the face
- Rubbing their ear
- Being more fretful or clingy
- Not sleeping as well
- A slightly raised temperature — below 38°C (100.4°F)
Myth check: teething does not cause a real fever. The AAP says research shows teething does not cause a true fever, and the NHS describes only a slightly raised temperature below 38°C. If your baby’s temperature is 38°C or higher, don’t put it down to teething — treat it as a fever (see fever in babies: when to call). There’s also no evidence that teething causes diarrhea.
Baby teething timeline (tooth chart)
Every child’s journey is unique, but this American Dental Association chart shows the typical age ranges when each baby tooth comes through:
| Tooth | Upper teeth | Lower teeth |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisors (front) | 8–12 months | 6–10 months |
| Lateral incisors | 9–13 months | 10–16 months |
| First molars | 13–19 months | 14–18 months |
| Canines (cuspids) | 16–22 months | 17–23 months |
| Second molars | 25–33 months | 23–31 months |
Bottom teeth usually come before the matching top ones, and by around age 2–3 most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth. To get a personal estimate from your baby’s birth date, try the teething timeline calculator.
Our story: first teeth at 4 months
For us, it happened early. Elzė was just 4 months old when her first tooth appeared. We were still figuring out naps, feeds, and a daily rhythm when — surprise — there it was, a tiny white spot pushing through her gums. It felt a little too soon, but babies don’t read the textbooks. The AAP puts the typical arrival of first teeth at 6 to 10 months, and the NHS says some babies start before 4 months and some after 12 months. It’s a wide range, not a deadline. If you’re ever unsure, your doctor or dentist can take a look.
And when your baby is fussy, drooly, chewing everything in sight, or waking more at night, someone will almost always say “must be teething!” Sometimes it is. Sometimes it’s a growth spurt, a leap, or just baby life. Teething is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.
How to soothe a teething baby
- Offer a teething ring — you can chill it in the fridge, but never the freezer (it can hurt your baby’s gums). A clean, cool, damp washcloth works too.
- Gentle gum massage — wash your hands and rub your baby’s gums softly with a clean finger.
- Extra comfort and distraction — cuddles, play, a walk outside or silly songs. Some nights, nothing works except cuddles and waiting it out.
- Keep drool under control — wipe your baby’s face regularly to prevent a rash.
- Pain relief only with advice — ask your doctor or pharmacist before giving any medicine, and follow the dosing on the pack. Guidance on minimum ages differs by country (for example, the NHS says ibuprofen from 3 months, the AAP from 6 months), so follow the advice you’re given locally.
Avoid (AAP):
- Teething gels with benzocaine or lidocaine (the NHS also notes there’s little evidence gels work)
- Amber, wood, or silicone teething necklaces and bracelets — a strangulation and choking risk
- Homeopathic teething tablets
- Liquid-filled teething toys
Look after the new teeth: start brushing with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth breaks through, and register your baby with a dentist.
Keep a small kit ready for rough nights — the sick day kit checklist covers a thermometer, medicine and other basics.
Final thoughts
Teething can be messy, tiring, and unpredictable — but it’s also a sign of your baby growing stronger each day. That first tooth is more than just a milestone. It’s the beginning of smiles that will light up your world in brand-new ways.
The phase doesn’t last forever, and soon enough you’ll look back and laugh at how much fuss one tiny tooth caused. If you like to keep records, Nurtura has a teeth chart where you can mark each tooth as it comes through (see the baby teething tracker). Looking back, it’s a sweet reminder of how fast these changes come, and it keeps both parents on the same page (“Wait, was that the first tooth or the second one already?”).
Keep reading: Which baby milestones to log (and which to skip)
This article is general information, not medical advice. Written by the Nurtura Daily team.
Sources
- NHS: Baby teething symptoms
- NHS: Tips for helping your teething baby
- AAP / HealthyChildren.org: Teething pain relief
- AAP / HealthyChildren.org: Fever and your baby
- AAP / HealthyChildren.org: Treating your child’s fever (medicine ages)
- American Dental Association: Primary tooth development chart (PDF)