Teething in Babies – Signs & Home Remedies

Every moment that you spend with your baby is going to be beautiful and every day, you will learn something new about him. Being a parent, you obviously love it when your little one meets those new milestones, but one milestone that may cause him discomfort and worry you is teething. Teething makes babies irritable, cranky, and keep them awake at nights too. But when a baby would start teething cannot be said for sure. Some babies may start teething early while others may start later. Now you are likely to get worried thinking about when your baby will start teething. Don’t worry, parents!

Here’s a guide that you can rely upon. You will learn everything from what teething is to signs of teething to home remedies for pain.

Video: A Guide to Teething in Babies

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Every child grows at a unique pace, and there is no definite age at which your child will definitely start teething. But most babies usually start getting their first teeth when they are between 4 and 7 months of age. In very rare cases, a baby will start teething after he turns one-year-old. There have also been cases where the baby’s first tooth was visible at the time of the birth, but both these extremes are very rare.

How Early Can a Baby Start Teething?

Babies generally start teething at four months, but sometimes, a baby may start teething as early as three months too. A baby can even start teething at two months. Babies who start teething early are born with white bumps, known as pre-teeth, visible on their gums. If you see your baby teething at only two or three months of age, don’t fret. It is not abnormal at all.

It is important to note that teeth start developing when the baby is in the womb. In fact, the tooth buds form inside the gums when the babies are in the womb. After the teething process starts and the first tooth comes out, it takes a few months for all the teeth to be visible.

What Teeth Do Babies Get First?

The first teeth that come out are the ones at the bottom. The two teeth along the lower side appear first.

In What Order Do Babies’ Teeth Appear?

Here’s the baby teething schedule that you should bear in mind so that you are prepared for the different stages-

• 4-7 months: Babies start teething. First, two bottom teeth start to appear around this time.
• 8-12 months: The upper middle teeth begin to emerge and become visible.
• 9-16 months: The teeth in the middle start to emerge.
• 13-19 months: The baby gets the first molars along the top and bottom.
• 16-23 months: In these months, the sharp and pointed teeth known as the canines.
• 23-31 months: The second molars along the bottom appear.
• 25-33 months: The second molars along the top appear.

By three years, your baby will have around 20 teeth. It is at the age of 4 that the jaw and facial bones grow, thus creating space for permanent teeth to come in.

If you want more information on the stages of teething or want to maintain a clear record of which of your baby’s teeth came in when, you can use the Baby Teething Tool. Not only will you be able to understand the various stages of teething, but you’ll also receive handy tips to deal with each of its stages. As you know, teething is a long process and can be painful for the baby. So it’s best that you be prepared to deal with it.

13 Signs of Teething in Babies

Your baby’s first tooth is one of the many joyous milestones. However, this is also one of the many times when the baby is going to be uncomfortable, and you will often need to soothe your child when he is disturbed and cranky. Look out for these signs of teething in babies and learn what you can do to help him feel better.

1. Drooling

Teething tends to stimulate drooling in babies. This is the first sign. It can start off from when babies are ten weeks old. Help your drooling baby stay dry by putting on a bib. Damp clothes will further irritate a baby.

2. Swollen Gums

If you happen to observe red, inflamed gums, this could mean that your baby is teething. A gentle massage with your forefinger on the swollen area may provide some relief.

3. Slight Visibility of a Tooth in the Gums

A faint white-ish mass below your baby’s gum is a good indicator that he is teething.

4. Sullenness

Yet another sign of teething in babies is sullenness. The emerging teeth tend to press along the gums, which can make them uncomfortable and cranky.

5. Fussy at Bedtime

Yes, teething can keep your baby up all night! The discomfort of teething can keep your baby up all night!

6. Ready to Chew

When babies begin teething, they are ready to chew on anything they can lay their hands on.

7. Eating Problems

The discomfort they experience during teething can make them refuse food too.

8. Tugging Ears

Many times tugging ears is a sign of ear-ache but it could also be due to teething in babies.

9. Rashes

Teething can also cause rashes near the face. (Also known as dribble rashes)

10. Crying

The discomfort of teething is unbearable for kids and makes them cry frequently. If you observe that they are crying and cannot figure out the reason, check for other signs of teething to confirm.

11. Rubbing Cheeks

Cheeks share the nerve paths to the teeth. These nerves may throb or be tender during the teething phase. This is why babies tend to rub their cheeks.

12. Coughing

Some babies tend to cough mildly when they are teething.

13. Fever

Some babies tend to run a fever when they are teething. If it gets severe, you must check with a doctor.

Do Fever And Diarrhoea Always Accompany Teething?

As a mother, you must have read that there is a connection between teething and fever as well as an upset tummy, and maybe wondering if teething is always accompanied by fever and diarrhoea. However, there is no concrete reason to believe that such a connection exists or happens to every teething baby. A lot of babies do experience fever when teething, and only a few babies have an easy teething experience. In the case of diarrhoea, it could be possible that the child is chewing or biting into something that is not clean, causing a gastric issue. It is always a good idea to consult the doctor if fever or diarrhoea persists.

How to Soothe a Teething Baby

There are several ways in which you can soothe your baby, and relieve the discomfort of teething. Let us help you with some handy tips.

Ways to Help a Teething Baby

• Rub a clean finger along the baby’s gums. This will help soothe the pain.
• Use a cold washcloth to rub the gum. You can even use a chilled teething ring or a cold spoon to soothe the gums. Make sure nothing you use is frozen.
• If your baby has started gnawing and is already on solids, you may give them something they can chew on, such as a cucumber.
• Drooling can cause skin rashes and irritation. Make sure you have a cloth handy to clean the drool, thus preventing irritation.

Teething Pain Relief for Infants

There are some over-the-counter pain relief remedies for teething that you can consider giving your baby. Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen or Advil can help your baby deal with the pain, Motrin for children can also help relieve the pain. It is always a good idea to consult your doctor before you buy these medicines. Also, there are several home remedies for teething babies which can take some stress out of this phase.

• Give your baby a diet that does not cause inflammation. A wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is a good idea.
• Ensure that he gets enough rest. A baby who is eating healthy and sleeping well is better equipped to handle the difficult phase of teething.
• Make sure your baby’s immune system is strong. You can add a vitamin D supplement to the baby’s diet after checking with your paediatrician.
• Make sure you continue breastfeeding, as that will help too!
• Give the baby frozen washcloths or vegetables to chew on, to help soothe the gums.

You can even invest in natural solid wood toys for gnawing.

Late Teething Problems in Babies

There are many reasons why some babies tend to teeth at a later stage. If your baby has not started teething by the time he/she is one-year-old, it could be either hereditary or the result of poor nutrition. Hyperthyroidism can also be a cause of late teething in babies. Visit a paediatrician to know the exact cause for late teething. It is not really a problem you need to be concerned about, but knowing why it is happening will help you deal with the delay.

How to Take Care of Your Baby’s Teeth

Make tooth-care a regular part of your baby’s routine even before the teeth begin to emerge. Use a moistened washcloth or a piece of gauze to rub along your baby’s gums twice a day, especially after feeding and before laying him down to sleep. When the first tooth comes out, you can buy a soft brush with a small head and handle, which will fit comfortably inside your baby’s mouth and brush his teeth. It is always a good idea to visit the dentist once your baby turns 1 year old.

Teething is a major developmental stage for your child. Make sure you handle your baby’s discomfort with patience, and the journey is sure to be an easy one for both of you.

Also Read:

Baby Teething Myths & Facts
Signs & Symptoms of Baby Teething
How to Put a Teething Baby to Sleep
Your Baby’s Body Language