Your Baby's First Teeth
Nobody can tell you the right time when your baby will start teething and get her first tooth, but there are some signs that can help you notice these changes. It's important that you notice the signs, so you can try to help your baby to relieve the teething pain and discomfort.
Teething Timeline
Baby's teeth usually come in pairs. You could expect for the first pair to appear as early as three months or as late as fourteen, depending on different factors (when did baby's parents get their first teeth and if your baby is a preemie or not since preemies start teething later). Sometimes, babies can even be born with one or more teeth (natal teeth). But, most babies get their first tooth at around six months. By the time your child is about 3 years old, it will have all 20 primary teeth.
Here are some guidelines that can tell you when you could expect which teeth pair:
6 months - lower central incisors
8 months - upper central incisors
10 months - lower and upper lateral incisors
14 months - first molars
18 months - canines
24 months - second molars
There’s no need to worry if your baby’s teeth don’t follow this order.
Teething Signs
Even though there are no clear teething signs, seeing different signs combined can tell you that your baby might be teething. You'll probably notice these signs 3 to 5 days before the tooth starts breaking through the gums. The signs should disappear as soon as the tooth appears. Some babies have no symptoms of teething.
Increased need for chewing and biting - Teething babies often want to chew or bite things, since pressure on their gums can help them relieve teething pain and discomfort.
Swollen and sensitive gums - Emerging tooth can cause red and swollen gums. Sometimes you can even see the emerging tooth faintly beneath the skin.
Excessive drooling - Even though drooling doesn't always mean teething it's one of the signs. Especially if it's combined with some other teething signs.
Facial rash - The excess drooling can cause a rash around your baby's mouth.
Fussiness (especially at night) - Teeth usually move through the gums at night, so your baby may seem fussier than usual.
Ear pulling - Babies tend to pull their ears if they are sleepy or if they have an ear infection, but it can also be a teething sign.
Decreased appetite - Some babies will start refusing to eat, while other ones may start eating more than usual because the pressure to the gums feels good. Breastfed and bottle-fed babies may seem eager at the beginning of the feeding but then pull back because of discomfort.
If your baby appears ill or has any severe symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, vomiting or lethargy, you should take her to the pediatrician to examine her.
How to Relieve Teething Pain?
There are different ways to relieve teething pain, so you may need to try all of them until you find what feels good to your baby.
Teething rings - Chewing a cold (but not frozen) teething ring can help your baby relieve the teething pain. Don't forget to check the ring often and make sure it hasn't been bitten through. If your baby uses a pacifier, she can use it to massage her gums.
Gum rubbing - Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger (bare or wrapped in a gauze or a washcloth). Pain reliever - If nothing else helps, you may need to give your baby acetaminophen or ibuprofen for temporary pain relief, but be sure not to exceed the recommended dosage.
Cold and soft solid foods - Some foods, such as applesauce or yogurt, could help your baby relieve the teething pain and discomfort.
Distraction - Offering a favorite or even a new toy may help to take your babies mind off the sensation of teething pain. Don't forget to try with some cuddling, too.
What You Shouldn't Try
Hard foods - Don't give your baby any hard foods such as crackers, carrots, toasted bagels or anything similar, since those foods could fall apart in baby's mouth and cause a choking hazard.
Rubbing a little brandy on your baby's gums - Never rub any alcohol on your baby's gums. Even the small amount of alcohol can be poisonous to your baby.
