Teething can be an exciting time for you and your little one. After all, welcoming your baby’s first tooth is one of the first milestones you will experience together. Their adorable smiles and playful grins can light up an entire room. But through the excitement, baby teething can also be a bit frustrating. When your child's teeth begin to develop, there may be a few symptoms of fussiness here and there. That being said, being prepared and looking out for signs of teething can help soothe the discomfort it can bring. As parents, we know you want the best for your child, and we are here to help you along this journey.
What Is Teething?
Teething occurs when an infant’s first set of teeth begins to appear through their gum line. Since your baby’s mouth is still developing, their gums can be sensitive to this adjustment. Toddler teething is completely natural, and although it can be a little painful at times, there is nothing to worry about. With your help, you can keep an eye on your child’s teeth development and soothe any discomfort they might be going through. Looking for signs and applying the best baby teething remedies can help ease this process.
When Do Infants Start Teething?
You might be wondering, when do baby teeth come in and what age do babies start teething? The timeline of the teething age can differ from one infant to another. It may develop sooner than expected or even later. According to the American Dental Association, primary teeth can start to come in at about 6 months of age and will fall out during different times throughout adolescence. Keep in mind that this is an estimation, and if infant teething does occur earlier, that is completely normal too. Some babies are even born with teeth, while others don’t grow their first baby tooth until a year later. Both instances are natural and unique to your little one.
To paint a picture of a possible time frame of baby teething, we can look at this process through five different stages. This timeline can help parents answer the questions “how early can babies teeth?” and “how long does teething last?”
- Stage 1: (0-6 months) Your infant is born with a full set of twenty teeth that are hidden beneath their gums.
- Stage 2: (6 months) The first teeth likely to appear are the upper and lower incisors, also known as the front teeth. The process of teeth development can also be referred to as ‘eruption.’
- Stage 3: (10-14 months) Your baby’s primary molars begin to erupt.
- Stage 4: (16-22 months) Canine teeth, which are located between the incisors and molars, will begin to erupt on both the top and bottom parts of the gums.
- Stage 5: (25-33 months) Large molars begin to erupt.
The Signs of Teething: How To Tell if Baby is Teething
Understanding how your baby feels can be very helpful to know what kind of attention they need during this time. While it can be a challenge to recognize baby teething symptoms, there are many easy signs to look out for. Here is a list of common teething symptoms that parents can identify. Make sure to be mindful of these signs during the toddler teething stages. Some of these occurrences may cause pain and discomfort to your little one.
Symptoms & Signs Baby is Teething
- Increased drooling
- Fussiness
- Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Sore or tender gums
- Rubbing their cheeks or gums
- Chewing on their hands or small toys
With advice from the ADA, symptoms that include fever, diarrhea, and rashes are not normal signs of baby teething. If your infant is experiencing these issues, it is best to call a professional pediatrician in order to help treat your baby.
The Best Baby Teething Remedies
No parent ever wants to see their little one in pain. An infant in distress is difficult to comfort, especially when you’re not entirely sure how you can help. Fortunately, there are many teething remedies and natural remedies for teething babies you can use to soothe your child. Now that you know which teething symptoms and signs to pay attention to, consider applying these methods that may provide relief.
- Massage the gums gently with a clean finger. If you'd like, you can also rub your little one's gums with a moist gauze or a wet washcloth. These practices can help soothe some pain.
- Something cold may help too. The ADA recommends applying a cold spoon safely onto their mouth or gums to bring temporary relief.
- Give your baby a clean teether to chew on. This might relieve some pressure building up from teeth eruption. If you are looking for the right teether, make sure to choose one that is completely non-toxic and lead-free. Teethers that are made of solid rubber are the best choice.
- A drink from a cold sippy cup can bring temporary comfort.
- Softly wipe away drool and saliva from your baby’s face. This will help reduce the formation of rashes around the mouth and chin.
Our list of home remedies for teething babies is completely safe and encouraged by the American Dental Association. We would also like to recommend Hyland's Baby Oral Pain Relief for the daytime and Hyland's Baby Oral Pain Relief Nighttime. These natural tablets are made to help soothe your baby's symptoms during the day and at bedtime. With active ingredients such as the arnica flower, chamomile, and cell salts, you can provide your little one with natural teething relief. These products do not contain belladonna, benzocaine, artificial flavors, dyes, or parabens.
Teething Treatments To Avoid
In addition, there are some treatments parents should avoid when looking for baby teething remedies. Before putting anything in your baby's mouth, make sure that it is completely safe. This means avoiding toxic chemicals, choking hazards, and harmful materials. Here are several treatments we believe parents should avoid.
- The Food and Drug Administration discourages the use of products that contain benzocaine for children younger than the age of 2. This anesthetic can cause serious risks that can lead to health issues. Benzocaine can be found in many common teething products.
- The FDA warns parents to avoid belladonna for children under 2 years of age, as this plant can be toxic and unpredictable.
- Never use teethers or infant teething aids that are filled with liquids that can easily tear and spill. Breakable materials can possibly lead to choking too, so avoiding plastic products is for the best. Anything too hard can be rough for your baby’s mouth. If you are considering what to give a teething baby, make sure they are pliable and washable.
- Teething bracelets and necklaces can pose serious risks, including strangulation, mouth infections, injuries, and choking.
How to Care For Your Baby’s New Teeth
As the process of teething continues, your baby will soon have a beautiful set of pearly whites. To keep them nice and healthy, running a gentle cloth over your baby's gums is a safe way to keep their mouth clean. You can also use this method to clean excess food from their teeth, helping to remove bacteria from building up. After welcoming your baby’s first tooth, the ADA believes this is a perfect time to schedule their first dental visit. Being proactive about your child's oral health is a perfect start to dental hygiene.
Our tips of the best teething remedies for babies may be used to help soothe symptoms. We want to provide the easiest and safest methods to make teething easier. If you and your little one are experiencing serious issues during the development of teething, we highly recommend seeking professional help from a licensed doctor or a pediatrician.