Is your baby teething? It’s not always easy to tell. In fact, a baby’s first tooth could erupt as early as when they turn three or four months old or as late as after their first birthday! Thankfully, knowing the signs of teething will give you some peace-of-mind as a parent and help provide the best way to ease your little one’s discomfort. Read on as we go over when you can expect the baby teeth to come in, the most common signs of teething, and what you can do to help your baby through the process.
The Baby Teeth Timeline
When it comes to when teething starts and when each baby tooth is supposed to appear, “normal” can range quite a bit from baby to baby! For instance, most infants will get their first tooth around six months old. However, it’s completely fine if that first pearly white comes in around three or four months old, or even some time after their first birthday! The same goes for the baby teeth that follow: while they tend to come in via a particular order, the “when” is much more flexible. You can generally expect the lower front teeth to come in first, followed by the top two teeth. The teeth on either sides of the middle front teeth are next, then the first molars. Next are the canines, then the last teeth to come in are the second molars in the very back of the mouth.
The Most Common Signs of Teething
Teething is a unique experience for every baby, so it’s important to know all the different signs that could indicate your little one is going through this process. The most common signs of teething are:
- Excessive drooling
- Teething rash (dry, chapped, or red skin around the mouth from drooling)
- Coughing
- Bringing their hands to their mouth
- Ear pulling and cheek rubbing
- Crying, whining, fussiness, or being irritable
- Refusing or reluctance to eat
- Trouble sleeping through the night
- Biting or gnawing, especially on hard objects
At-Home Remedies for Teething Pains
While teething can be an uncomfortable process, there are plenty of ways to help ease your baby’s symptoms at home. Some of the most tried-and-true include:
- Teething toys: Chewing can help relieve some of the discomfort that comes with teething. You could buy specialized teething toys or rings, or you could let your baby chew on your clean finger or a soft, wet washcloth.
- Applying cold temperatures: Giving your baby refrigerated toys, cold drinks, and cold food can help numb soreness and bring down inflammation.
- Pain relievers: For extra support, you can consider giving your baby infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Be very careful to follow the dosing instructions and be sure to consult your pediatrician beforehand.
Teething may not be an entirely fun process, but it’s an exciting milestone! Before you know it, your little one will have a full set of beautiful baby pearly whites!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry in Randolph, we’re dedicated to giving your child’s precious smile the best start possible. With an in-house pediatric dentist and specialized dental care services for infants, you can rest assured that your baby is getting the treatments they need for years of great oral health. If you find yourself having difficulties with the teething process, we encourage you to give us a call so we can give you personalized advice and the most effective techniques. Feel free to reach us online or at (978) 424-4255.