Questions & Answers: Teething

Q. When can I expect to see my baby’s first tooth?

A. Most babies have at least one tooth erupt by 6 months. However, it is normal for babies to start teething anywhere from 3 months to 1 year. Children should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears or by age 1.

Q. Which teeth come in first?

A. Lower front teeth usually present first. Upper front teeth generally come in about a month or two later. These first teeth are called primary teeth or baby teeth. During the first few years of life, all 20 primary teeth come in. Most children have their full set of baby teeth by age 3.

Q. What are the most common symptoms of teething?

A. Teething symptoms vary and some babies are unfazed by the process. Common signs include drooling, fussiness, and wakefulness, biting, chewing (just about everything and anything!), tender gums and changes in appetite. Some babies develop a mild rash around the mouth from excess saliva. Often, the outline of the tooth about to erupt is clearly visible. Symptoms usually last a few days and disappear as soon as the tooth is in.

Q. My daughter is 6 months old and I see no sign of teeth. Should I be worried?

A. Don’t worry. While most babies’ first tooth pokes through by 6 months, the normal range is anywhere between 3 months and 1 year. The pediatric dentist can offer guidance.

Q. My baby seems to be drooling excessively? Why?

A. Babies begin drooling between 2 and 4 months. Saliva is filled with digestive enzymes needed to break down solid food. It also lubricates the esophagus and helps to neutralize stomach acid. Babies do not produce more drool than adults. It just seems like a lot because most of it simply rolls out of their mouths. Actually, drooling may make the teething process more bearable by lubricating tender gums.

Q. Should I be concerned if my son has diarrhea or a fever when a tooth is pushing through?

A. For some children, teething may cause a low-grade temperature, but a fever is a sign of infection. If the reading is 100.4 or greater for infants younger than 2 months of age, you should call your pediatrician. The extra saliva a baby produces during teething can cause loose bowel movements. However, that usually means a baby has one extra dirty diaper. If diarrhea continues or appears bloody, see the doctor. At the hospital where I work, we tell new parents with babies younger than four months, a temperature of 100.4 is considered a fever and should be reported.

Q. What can I do to soothe my baby when she’s teething?

A. Try to soothe the gums by offering a cold, wet washcloth or a chilled teething ring. Don’t freeze the teething ring as biting on frozen objects can cause gum damage. Recently, I watched my 1-year-old nephew happily chew on a frozen juice pop. Some parents simply massage their baby’s gums with a clean finger. Consult your baby’s pediatrician about the use of over-the-counter numbing gels, pain relief medicine or homeopathic options.

Q. How long does the teething process usually last?

A. Generally the process lasts about two-and-a-half years. Most children have all of their of primary teeth by age 3.