When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Timeline, and How to Soothe Sore Gums
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, though it is normal for the first tooth to appear anywhere from about 3 to 12 months. The first signs, like extra drooling, chewing, and sore, swollen gums, often show up a few weeks before the first tooth breaks through the gum. Teething is a normal part of your baby's growth, and most little ones get through it with simple comfort at home.
In our telehealth visits, one of the most common worries we hear from parents of 4 to 6 month olds is whether fussiness and drooling mean teething or something more serious. The good news is that teething is usually easy to manage once you know what to look for.
Not sure if it is teething or something more?
Message your pediatricianKey Takeaways
- Most babies start teething around 6 months. The normal range is about 3 to 12 months.
- The two bottom front teeth almost always come in first.
- Common signs are extra drooling, chewing on hard things, and sore, swollen gums.
- Teething does not cause a high fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. Those are signs of illness.
- A temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is not from teething and should be checked.
- Soothe sore gums with a clean finger massage or a firm, chilled (not frozen) teething ring.
- Never use benzocaine gels (like Orajel) on children under 2, and never put a teething necklace on your baby. The FDA warns both can be dangerous.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old, and the normal range is anywhere from about 3 to 12 months. Every baby is a little different.
The exact timing often runs in the family. If you or your partner teethed early or late, your baby may follow the same pattern. A first tooth that comes in a bit sooner or later than a friend's baby is almost always still normal. What matters is steady, healthy growth, not hitting an exact date.
What if my baby is teething early (3 to 4 months)?
Early teething is possible, but it is not common. Around 3 months, many babies start to drool more and put their hands and toys in their mouth. This is a normal step in how babies explore the world, and it does not always mean a tooth is on the way.
So if your 3 month old is drooling and chewing, it may simply be that stage, not a tooth yet. A true first tooth usually shows up closer to 6 months. If you feel a hard bump on the gum, a tooth may be close.
What if my baby has no teeth by 12 months?
A first tooth that comes in after 12 months is usually still normal, especially if late teething runs in your family. Some healthy babies do not have any teeth by their first birthday.
Late teeth on their own are rarely a sign of a problem. Timing varies a lot from child to child. If you are worried, your pediatrician or dentist can take a look and reassure you that everything is on track.
Baby Teething Timeline and Tooth Eruption Order
Baby teeth usually come in a set order, starting with the two bottom front teeth, then the top front teeth, and moving back over the next two to three years. "Eruption" simply means the moment a tooth breaks through the gum.
The central incisors (front teeth) come in first. Next are the lateral incisors (the teeth next to the front ones), then the first molars (flat back teeth for chewing). The canines (the pointed "eyeteeth") follow, and the second molars come in last. Use the chart below as a general guide, not a strict schedule.
| Primary tooth (baby tooth) | Lower jaw comes in | Upper jaw comes in |
|---|---|---|
| Central incisor (front tooth) | 6 to 10 months | 8 to 12 months |
| Lateral incisor (next to front) | 10 to 16 months | 9 to 13 months |
| First molar (back tooth) | 14 to 18 months | 13 to 19 months |
| Canine (pointed "eyetooth") | 17 to 23 months | 16 to 22 months |
| Second molar (back tooth) | 23 to 31 months | 25 to 33 months |
Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about age 3. Remember that this timing varies a lot from child to child and often depends on heredity. A baby who is a few months ahead of or behind the chart is usually still perfectly normal.
What Are the Signs of Teething?
The most common signs of teething are extra drooling, a strong urge to chew on hard things, and sore, swollen gums where a tooth is coming in. These often appear a few weeks before you can see the tooth.
Every baby is different, but here are the signs parents notice most:
- More drooling than usual
- Chewing or gnawing on hands, toys, or teething rings
- Sore, swollen, or tender gums
- Fussiness or irritability
- A little trouble sleeping
- Slightly less interest in eating
- A slight rise in temperature (but not a true fever, more on that below)
Some parents also notice their baby pulling at an ear or rubbing the cheek on the side where a tooth is coming in. This can happen with teething, but ear-tugging can also be a sign of an ear infection. If your baby has ear-pulling along with a fever or seems in real pain, read our guide on teething versus an ear infection and check with your pediatrician.
Teething Symptoms vs. Signs of Illness
Teething can make your baby fussy and drooly, but it does not cause a high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or a stuffy nose. If your baby has those symptoms, something other than teething is likely going on.
A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) is not caused by teething. A true fever is a sign of illness or infection and should be checked, not blamed on teething.
A true fever is not associated with teething and is actually a sign of an illness or infection.
American Academy of Pediatrics
Teething also does not cause diarrhea. Wondering about diaper rash? See our page on diaper rash and teething. For more on fever, read our guide on teething and fever. And when you are trying to tell teething apart from an ear infection, our teething versus ear infection guide can help.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby Safely
You can ease most teething discomfort at home with gentle pressure and something safe to chew on. Simple comfort measures work well, and your baby's fussiness usually settles down within a few days around each new tooth.
Here are safe, pediatrician-approved ways to soothe sore gums:
- Gently massage or rub the gums with a clean finger.
- Offer a firm rubber teething ring that is solid, not liquid or gel filled.
- Give a clean, chilled (not frozen) washcloth or teether to chew on. Chill it in the refrigerator, never the freezer, because a frozen teether is too hard and can hurt the gums.
- Wipe away drool often to keep the skin around the mouth from getting irritated.
- For pain, ask about a pediatrician-approved pain reliever if your baby is really uncomfortable. See our baby Tylenol dosing guide and check with your pediatrician before giving any medicine.
Teething discomfort tends to come and go. It often flares for a few days as each tooth pushes through, then eases on its own.
Want a quick answer on soothing sore gums?
Start a visitTeething Products and Remedies to Avoid
Some popular teething products are not safe. A few can be dangerous. Please avoid the ones below and stick to the simple comfort measures above.
Never use benzocaine gels on children under 2
Do not use benzocaine teething gels (such as Orajel) on children under 2. The FDA warns they can cause methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious, sometimes fatal blood condition that lowers the oxygen your baby's blood can carry. The same caution applies to prescription numbing gels with lidocaine and to homeopathic teething tablets.
Never put a teething necklace on your baby
Do not use an amber teething necklace, or any teething jewelry, on your baby. The FDA warns these can strangle or choke a child. One baby died after being strangled by an amber necklace during a nap. Teething jewelry has no proven benefit.
Skip frozen and gel-filled teethers
Do not give your baby a frozen-solid teether, because it is too hard and can injure the gums. Avoid liquid or gel-filled teething rings too, since they can break open and leak.
When to Call Your Doctor About Teething
Teething itself rarely needs a doctor, but call your pediatrician if a "teething" baby seems truly sick. When you are not sure what is going on, a check helps rule out an illness.
Call your pediatrician, or start a Blueberry telehealth visit, if your baby has:
- A true fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, which is not caused by teething
- Diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash that spreads beyond the mouth
- Crying that you cannot soothe, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness
- Symptoms that last more than a few days
When you are stuck wondering "is this just teething?", a quick telehealth visit can give you a real answer fast, so you know whether to comfort at home or get your baby seen.
Worried it might be more than teething?
Message your pediatricianFrequently Asked Questions
When do babies start teething?
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months old. Anywhere from about 3 to 12 months is normal.
What are the first signs a baby is teething?
Extra drooling, chewing on hard things, and sore, swollen gums are the most common early signs. They often show up a few weeks before the tooth appears.
Which teeth come in first?
Almost always the two bottom front teeth (the lower central incisors), followed by the top front teeth.
Can a baby start teething at 2, 3, or 4 months?
It is possible but not common. Early drooling and chewing around 3 months is usually normal development, not a tooth yet.
Does teething cause a fever?
No. A temperature above 100.4°F (38°C) is not from teething and should be checked. See our guide on teething and fever.
How long does teething pain last?
Discomfort tends to flare for a few days around each new tooth, then eases. There is no set number of days.
Are amber teething necklaces safe?
No. The FDA warns they can strangle or choke a baby and have no proven benefit.
Is Orajel or benzocaine safe for teething?
No. Do not use benzocaine on children under 2. The FDA warns it can cause a serious blood condition.
Can teething cause diarrhea?
No. Teething does not cause diarrhea. Wondering about diaper rash? See our diaper rash and teething page.
How is teething different from an ear infection?
Both can cause fussiness and ear-tugging, but a fever and pain that stick around point to an infection. Our teething versus ear infection guide explains the difference.
When should I worry about teething symptoms?
Call your pediatrician for a fever of 100.4°F or higher, diarrhea or vomiting, a rash beyond the mouth, or a baby you cannot console.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Teething: 4 to 7 Months.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Baby's First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Safely Soothing Teething Pain and Sensory Needs in Infants and Children.
- Cleveland Clinic. Teething (Teething Syndrome).
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice from your child's doctor. Always talk with your pediatrician about your baby's health and before starting any treatment. If you think your child has a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 right away.
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