Baby's First Tooth - Teething - HealthSurgeon - Healthy Living and Fitness

Teething is when teeth start to first come through your baby’s gums. All babies are born with a full set of teeth underneath their gums. The process of teething is when the teeth start to come up through the gums.

Some babies are born with one or two teeth. On average babies start to have teeth around 4-6 months, with 6 months being the most common time a baby gets their first tooth. Some babies may start teething as early as 3 months, or as late as 12 months.

If your baby has hit a year old and still has no teeth your pediatrician usually will not be worried until your baby is 18 months with no teeth. This is very uncommon. Around the three month mark in your baby’s development they will start to explore things with their mouths and eating their hands more for exploration. This can sometimes be mistaken for teething, when in reality they may not get their first tooth for another 3 months.

The first teeth to appear are the bottom two middle teeth. Four to eight weeks after these two teeth emerge the next teeth to pop through are usually the top 4. The two in the middle and the 2 incisors on the other side of the middle teeth. Then four weeks after those the next teeth are the two that flank either side of the bottom two your little one already has. It is about four to eight weeks between each grouping of teeth to come through. On average your child will have 4 teeth by 11 months. 8 teeth by 15 months, 12 teeth by 19 months, and 16 teeth by 23 months. Molars will start to come in around 13-19 months. Your child will have a full set of teeth by age three. A full set is 20 teeth, 10 on the top and 10 on the bottom. When your child finally gets all their teeth can vary between 2 years and 3 years.

Symptoms

When teething some children have no symptoms at all. Sometimes seeing the tooth or feeling the tooth is the first sign your child is getting a tooth. Symptoms may also come and go over the duration of time your child is teething. Some teeth may bother your child more than others. Symptoms of teething include drooling, face rash, chewing on objects, excessive spit up, irritability, crankiness, crying, refusing to eat, white gums, swollen, red, sore, tender gums, trouble sleeping, flushed cheeks, pulling on ears, and a slightly elevated temperature. A high fever with other symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose, or productive cough are not signs or symptoms of teething but of actual sickness.

Treatment

There is no medical intervention for teething in babies. Most of the time home remedies are enough to soothe your little one and make it through this sometimes painful stage of their growing up. One thing you can do is to keep their drool wiped away from their face. This will help eliminate irritation, dryness, or a face rash. Having your baby wear a soft cotton, or muslim bib can also be helpful while they are teething. Bibs can help catch some of the drool so their clothes don’t get too wet up against their delicate skin. You can rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or knuckle. Offering them teethers they can chew on can also be soothing. Wetting a washcloth and putting it in the freezer for about 30 minutes can also be comforting to your baby. Make sure the wash cloth is not rock hard, this could lead to bruising of the gums. It is important to also make sure you are washing your rag in between uses. Teething biscuits, frozen, or cold food can be an option if your child is already eating solids. Do not introduce new foods to your child just as a teething remedy. Over the counter pain relievers like Motrin, or Ibuprofen can be given to children, but ask your pediatrician for correct dosing.

There are some things you should avoid doing. Teething necklaces or bracelets for adults to wear or babies can be hazardous. They can cause choking, or strangulation and should not be used. Items made out of amber, wood, or silicone as teethers are also deemed a choking hazard. The FDA warns against using products with benzocaine. This would include products such as Anbesol, Orajel, Baby Orajel, or Orabase. These products can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia which is a blood disorder.

Once your baby has teeth, it is important to start teaching them about oral hygiene. Brushing their teeth can help prevent tooth decay. Once they are two years old scheduling them in for routine dental cleanings is also suggested. Preventing tooth decay in their baby teeth can help their adult teeth grow healthier.

Takeaway

Babies usually get their teeth within 8 days of signs or symptoms. It can be hard to know exactly if your baby is teething or just learning to explore their world with their mouths. It is ok if your baby has not gotten their first tooth by 6 months. Every child is different. It is only a cause for concern if your child does not have any teeth by 18 months. Usually on average babies start to get their first tooth between 4-7 months. Some babies teething will be more bothersome than others.