Teething is a normal part of infant development, but it can be difficult to tell when a baby’s first teeth are about to appear. Common teething signs include drooling, swollen or tender gums, increased chewing, and mild fussiness. Some babies experience several symptoms, while others show very few signs before a tooth erupts.
Most babies begin teething around 6 months of age, although some develop their first tooth earlier or later. Knowing what to look for can help parents recognize teething, soothe their baby’s discomfort, and understand when symptoms may point to something other than teething.
What Are the Most Common Teething Signs?
The most common teething signs may appear days before a tooth breaks through the gums.
Here are the signs parents should watch for:
1. Increased Drooling
One of the earliest signs of teething is producing more saliva than usual. You may notice your baby’s chin, clothes, or bib becoming wet throughout the day.
Although drooling is common during teething, it can also occur during normal development. Keeping your baby’s skin clean and dry can help prevent irritation around the mouth and chin.
2. Swollen or Tender Gums
As a tooth moves toward the surface, the surrounding gum tissue may become swollen, red, or sensitive. Your baby may seem uncomfortable when you touch their gums or when they eat.
In some cases, you may notice a small white spot or the outline of a tooth beneath the gum tissue. These changes can indicate that a tooth is getting ready to emerge.
3. Chewing or Biting on Objects
Babies often explore their surroundings with their mouths. During teething, however, you may notice more frequent chewing, biting, or gnawing on toys, fingers, and other safe objects.
Chewing can provide counterpressure that temporarily relieves gum discomfort. Offer a firm rubber teether or a clean, cool washcloth to give your baby something safe to chew.
4. Increased Fussiness or Irritability
A baby who is teething may become more irritable than usual, especially when their gums feel sore. You might notice more crying, a greater need for comfort, or difficulty settling down.
Teething-related fussiness is generally mild and temporary. Significant or persistent crying should not automatically be attributed to teething, particularly if your baby has other symptoms.
5. Changes in Sleep
Some babies have trouble settling down or wake more frequently when their gums are uncomfortable. These sleep changes may happen around the time a tooth begins to emerge.
However, teething does not explain every sleep disruption. Hunger, developmental changes, illness, and other factors can also affect your baby’s sleep.
6. Mild Changes in Eating
A baby with tender gums may temporarily eat less or become fussy during feedings. Sucking or pressure against the gums may feel uncomfortable, while cool foods appropriate for their age may feel soothing.
Continue offering breast milk or formula as appropriate for your baby’s age. If your baby consistently refuses feedings, has fewer wet diapers, or shows signs of dehydration, contact your pediatrician.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, but the timing varies. Some babies begin teething at 3 or 4 months, while others may not develop a first tooth until closer to their first birthday.
The lower front teeth, called the lower central incisors, are usually the first to appear. The upper front teeth often follow, with additional teeth emerging gradually over the next few years.
Most children have all 20 primary teeth by around age 3.
Because every baby develops differently, there is no single timeline that applies to every child. If your baby has not developed a first tooth by 12 to 18 months, ask a pediatric dentist whether an evaluation is appropriate.
How Can You Tell If Your Baby Is Teething or Sick?
Teething can cause mild discomfort, but it should not be used to explain symptoms such as a true fever, significant diarrhea, or a baby who appears unusually ill.
A fever is not a normal teething symptom. If your baby has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, consider illness rather than assuming teething is responsible. A fever in a baby younger than 3 months requires immediate medical evaluation.
Contact your pediatrician if symptoms are severe, persistent, or concerning, or if your baby shows signs of dehydration, difficulty breathing, unusual sleepiness, or difficulty swallowing.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby
Fortunately, several simple strategies can help relieve mild teething discomfort.
Try these safe teething remedies:
- Massage the gums. Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger to provide soothing counterpressure.
- Offer a cool teether. Use a firm rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator, not frozen solid.
- Use a cool washcloth. A clean, damp washcloth cooled in the refrigerator can provide a safe surface for chewing when supervised.
- Wipe away drool. Gently dry your baby’s chin and apply a baby-safe barrier ointment if needed to help prevent skin irritation.
- Provide extra comfort. Holding, cuddling, and distracting your baby may help during periods of mild discomfort.
If your baby has started eating solid foods, age-appropriate cool foods may also help. Always supervise your baby while eating and avoid foods that pose a choking risk.
Avoid teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber necklaces, because they can cause choking or strangulation. Do not use teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine, homeopathic teething tablets, or other unapproved teething products. If your baby appears to need medication for pain, ask your pediatrician about an appropriate option and dose.
When Should Your Baby See a Pediatric Dentist?
Your baby’s first tooth is an important milestone in their dental development. If you’re wondering, “when should my baby see a dentist?” The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend scheduling the first dental visit when the first tooth appears and no later than the first birthday.
A Las Vegas pediatric dentist can examine your baby’s developing teeth and gums, discuss oral hygiene, and help you establish healthy habits early.
After the first tooth emerges, begin brushing twice daily with a soft, age-appropriate toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
You should also contact a dental professional if you notice unusual swelling, persistent gum bleeding, oral sores, or changes that do not seem consistent with normal teething. A pediatric dentist can help determine whether the symptoms are related to an erupting tooth or another concern.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teething Signs
What are the first signs of teething?
The first signs of teething often include increased drooling, chewing on fingers or toys, tender gums, and mild fussiness. Some babies show these symptoms days before their first tooth appears, while others show almost no noticeable signs.
How long do teething signs last before a tooth appears?
Teething symptoms may begin a few days before a tooth erupts and continue briefly as it breaks through the gum. The timing varies from baby to baby, and symptoms that persist or worsen should not automatically be attributed to teething.
Can a baby start teething at 3 months?
Yes. Although most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, some begin teething as early as 3 or 4 months. Increased drooling and chewing at this age can also be normal developmental behaviors and do not necessarily mean a tooth is about to appear.
Does teething cause a fever?
Teething may be associated with a slight increase in temperature, but it does not cause a true fever. A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher should be evaluated as a possible sign of illness, especially in young infants.
Can babies experience teething symptoms without a visible tooth?
Yes. A baby may have tender gums, drooling, and increased chewing before a tooth becomes visible. However, these symptoms are not exclusive to teething, so consider other possible causes if your baby seems uncomfortable or unwell.
Do all babies experience teething symptoms?
No. Some babies experience noticeable discomfort, while others develop teeth with very few symptoms. The absence of fussiness, drooling, or swollen gums does not mean your baby’s teeth are developing abnormally.
Helping Your Baby Through Teething
Recognizing common teething signs can make this stage of your baby’s development easier to navigate. Increased drooling, tender gums, chewing, and mild fussiness are all possible signs that a tooth is on its way. Gentle gum massage, cool teethers, and extra comfort can help ease temporary discomfort.
Remember that not every symptom is caused by teething. Pay attention to your baby’s overall behavior, feeding habits, and temperature, and contact your pediatrician if symptoms seem unusual or concerning. Once that first tooth appears, schedule your baby’s first dental visit to help protect their smile from the very beginning.
