Teething is the normal process of a baby's first teeth pushing through the gums, and it usually begins somewhere between four and ten months of age. Common signs include extra drooling, chewing on fingers and toys, swollen gums, and some fussiness or broken sleep. Most babies can be comforted at home with gentle gum massage and a clean, chilled teething ring, and a high fever or diarrhoea is not a normal part of teething.
Every child follows their own timetable, so a first tooth at four months and one at twelve months can both be perfectly healthy. Knowing what to expect helps parents stay calm, avoid unsafe remedies, and start good tooth care from day one.
When do baby teeth come through?
Most babies cut their first tooth, usually one of the lower front teeth, at around six months. The upper front teeth tend to follow, then the side teeth, first molars, canines, and finally the second molars. By around two and a half to three years, most children have a full set of twenty milk teeth.
Some babies are born with a tooth, while others have no teeth until after their first birthday. Late teeth are rarely a cause for concern on their own, but if there are no teeth at all by around eighteen months, it is sensible to have a dentist take a look.
Common signs of teething
Teething discomfort usually comes and goes, often feeling worst in the few days before a tooth breaks through. Parents frequently notice:
- Heavy drooling, sometimes with a mild rash on the chin or cheeks
- Red, puffy, or tender gums where a tooth is about to appear
- Constant chewing or gnawing on fists, toys, and anything within reach
- Irritability, clinginess, or more frequent night waking
- Rubbing the ear or cheek on the same side as the coming tooth
A slightly raised temperature can occur, but teething does not cause high fever, vomiting, a runny nose, or diarrhoea. If your baby has any of these, they are more likely to be signs of an infection and deserve a check by your paediatrician rather than being put down to teeth.
Safe ways to soothe sore gums at home
Simple, gentle comfort is usually all that is needed. These approaches help many families:
- Rub your baby's gums softly with a clean finger or a cool, damp muslin cloth
- Offer a firm rubber or silicone teething ring that has been chilled in the fridge, not frozen
- For babies already eating solids, offer cool, soft foods such as mashed fruit or curd
- Wipe drool away often and pat the skin dry to prevent a rash
- Give extra cuddles and keep bedtime routines as calm and predictable as you can
Some popular remedies are best avoided. Amber or bead teething necklaces carry a risk of choking and strangulation, frozen teething toys can be too hard for delicate gums, and hard biscuits or rusks can break into pieces a baby may choke on. Numbing gels and teething medicines should only be used if a doctor has advised them for your child. Never dip a teether or dummy in honey, sugar, or jaggery syrup, as this feeds decay from the very first tooth.
Caring for the first teeth
Baby teeth matter even though they will eventually fall out. They help children chew, speak clearly, and hold space for the adult teeth underneath, and decay in milk teeth can cause pain and infection just as it does in adults.
Start cleaning as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft, small-headed baby toothbrush twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice, and wipe the gums with a soft cloth before teeth arrive. Try not to let your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice, because the liquid pools around the teeth overnight and can lead to early childhood decay.
When to see a dentist
A child's first dental visit is recommended once the first tooth appears, and certainly by their first birthday. This short, friendly visit lets the dentist check that teeth are coming through normally, spot early signs of decay, and give you practical advice on brushing, feeding, and fluoride.
You should also book a check if a tooth looks discoloured, chalky, or chipped, if the gums show a bluish swelling that does not settle, or if your child seems to be in ongoing pain. At Orchid Dental Wellness in Bhopal, Dr. Swapnil Sodhiya welcomes little ones and their parents, and keeps early visits relaxed so that children grow up feeling comfortable at the dentist.