Baby Teething: When It Starts, Symptoms & Relief Tips

Your happy, content baby has suddenly become a drooling, fussy mess who wants to chew on everything in sight. Welcome to teething—a rite of passage that every baby (and parent) goes through.

Teething can start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months, and the experience varies wildly from one baby to another. Some babies breeze through it; others are miserable for weeks. This guide will help you understand what’s normal, recognize teething symptoms, and provide relief for your little one.

As pediatricians and pediatric dentists at myPediaClinic in Dubai, we answer teething questions from worried parents every day. Here’s everything you need to know.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Most babies get their first tooth between 4-7 months of age, but the range is wide:

• Early teethers: Some babies are born with teeth (natal teeth) or get them as early as 3 months
• Average: First tooth appears around 6 months
• Late teethers: Some babies don’t get teeth until 12-14 months

The timing is largely genetic. If you or your partner were early or late teethers, your baby might follow the same pattern. Late teething is usually not a concern unless no teeth have appeared by 18 months.

Baby Teeth Order: Which Teeth Come First?

Teeth generally appear in a predictable order:

Age	Teeth
6-10 months	Bottom central incisors (two front bottom teeth)
8-12 months	Top central incisors (two front top teeth)
9-13 months	Top lateral incisors (teeth beside front teeth)
10-16 months	Bottom lateral incisors
13-19 months	First molars (top and bottom)
16-23 months	Canines (pointed teeth)
23-33 months	Second molars

By age 3, most children have all 20 baby teeth. The molars coming in around age 2 are often the most painful, as they’re larger teeth breaking through.

Teething Symptoms: What to Look For

Every baby reacts differently to teething. Common symptoms include:

Definite Teething Signs

• Drooling: Excessive drool is the hallmark of teething. You may need to change bibs several times a day.
• Chewing on everything: Babies put everything in their mouths to relieve gum pressure.
• Swollen, tender gums: You may see redness or swelling where the tooth is coming through.
• Visible tooth: A white spot or bulge under the gum indicates an emerging tooth.
• Gum rubbing: Baby may rub their gums with fingers or fists.

Possible Teething Signs

• Irritability and fussiness: The discomfort can make babies cranky.
• Trouble sleeping: Teething pain can disrupt sleep, especially at night when there are fewer distractions.
• Decreased appetite: Sore gums may make nursing or bottle feeding uncomfortable.
• Ear pulling: Gum pain can radiate to the ears and cheeks.
• Chin rash: Excessive drool can irritate the skin around the chin and neck.

NOT Caused by Teething

Teething has been blamed for many symptoms it doesn’t actually cause:

• Fever over 38°C (100.4°F): Teething may cause a very slight temperature increase, but true fever indicates illness.
• Diarrhea: Despite popular belief, teething doesn’t cause diarrhea. Loose stools are likely from illness or diet changes.
• Severe rash: A drool rash on the chin is normal, but rashes elsewhere aren’t teething-related.
• Vomiting: Teething doesn’t cause vomiting.
• Prolonged crying: While fussiness is common, inconsolable crying warrants a doctor visit.

Important: If your baby has a fever, diarrhea, or seems truly ill, don’t assume it’s “just teething.” The teething period coincides with when babies become more susceptible to infections as maternal antibodies wane. See your pediatrician in Dubai if you’re unsure.

How to Relieve Teething Pain

You can’t speed up teething, but you can help your baby cope with the discomfort:

1. Cold and Pressure

Cold numbs the gums, and pressure feels good against the emerging tooth.

• Chilled teething rings: Refrigerate (don’t freeze) solid teething rings. Frozen items can damage gum tissue.
• Cold washcloth: Wet a clean washcloth, wring it out, and chill in the refrigerator. Let baby chew on it.
• Chilled spoon: A cold metal spoon from the refrigerator can feel soothing on gums.
• Refrigerated fruit: For babies eating solids, cold banana or melon in a mesh feeder provides relief and nutrition.

2. Safe Things to Chew

• Teething toys: Choose BPA-free, non-toxic teethers without liquid inside (which can leak or harbor bacteria).
• Clean fingers: Your clean finger rubbing baby’s gums can provide comfort.
• Silicone teething jewelry: Worn by parents, these let baby chew while being held.

3. Gum Massage

Gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. The pressure counters the pressure of the emerging tooth.

4. Pain Relief Medication

For persistent pain that disrupts sleep or feeding:

• Infant acetaminophen (paracetamol): Safe for babies over 2 months when used according to package directions.
• Infant ibuprofen: Safe for babies over 6 months. May work better for teething pain than acetaminophen.

Always use the correct dose for your baby’s weight and consult your pediatrician if you’re unsure.

5. Drool Management

Excessive drool can cause chin rashes. Keep the area dry with a bib and gently pat (don’t rub) the chin clean. Apply a barrier cream like petroleum jelly if irritation develops.

What NOT to Use for Teething

Some traditional teething remedies are unsafe:

Teething Gels with Benzocaine

The FDA warns against using teething gels containing benzocaine for children under 2. Benzocaine can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, which reduces oxygen in the blood.

Homeopathic Teething Tablets

The FDA has also warned against homeopathic teething tablets and gels due to inconsistent amounts of belladonna, which has caused seizures and other serious problems in infants.

Amber Teething Necklaces

These are marketed as releasing succinic acid that supposedly relieves pain. There’s no scientific evidence they work, and they pose serious choking and strangulation risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against them.

Frozen Teething Toys

Items that are rock-hard frozen can actually bruise tender gums. Chilled is better than frozen.

Rubbing Alcohol on Gums

An old remedy that’s dangerous. Even small amounts of alcohol are harmful to babies.

Teething and Sleep

Teething often disrupts sleep, especially when molars come in. Here’s how to cope:

• Give pain relief before bed: If your baby is clearly uncomfortable, appropriate-dose acetaminophen or ibuprofen before bed can help.
• Stick to routines: Maintain normal bedtime routines even during teething.
• Offer comfort without creating habits: Comfort your baby if they wake, but try not to introduce new sleep associations (like bringing them to your bed) that you’ll need to break later.
• Remember it’s temporary: Each tooth takes a few days to break through. Sleep should improve once it does.

Teething and Feeding

Sore gums can affect feeding:

Breastfeeding

Some babies nurse more for comfort; others refuse because sucking hurts. If your baby bites due to teething:

• Offer a teething toy before nursing to relieve some pressure
• Watch for the end of active nursing when biting often happens
• If baby bites, calmly remove them from the breast and say “no biting”

Bottle Feeding

The nipple may feel uncomfortable against sore gums. Try a cold nipple (refrigerate bottles briefly) or experiment with different nipple shapes.

Solid Foods

Offer cold, soft foods like chilled yogurt, cold fruit purees, or frozen breast milk popsicles. Avoid hard foods that require lots of chewing.

Caring for New Baby Teeth

Dental care should start before teeth appear and continue once they emerge:

Before Teeth

Wipe gums with a clean, damp washcloth after feedings. This gets baby used to mouth cleaning and removes bacteria.

First Teeth

Once teeth appear, brush twice daily with:

• A soft-bristled infant toothbrush
• A rice-grain sized smear of fluoride toothpaste (under 3 years)
• A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste (3+ years)

First Dental Visit

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth. Early visits help prevent problems and get your child comfortable with the dentist.

At myPediaClinic’s pediatric dental clinic in Dubai, we make first visits fun and stress-free.

When to Call the Doctor

Contact your pediatrician in Dubai if your teething baby has:

• Fever over 38°C (100.4°F)
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Inconsolable crying
• Rash on the body (not just drool rash on chin)
• Refusing to eat for more than a day
• Signs of dehydration
• No teeth by 18 months

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Teething

Can teething cause a fever?

Teething may cause a very slight temperature increase (up to 38°C/100.4°F), but it does not cause true fever. If your baby has a fever above 38°C, they likely have an illness unrelated to teething and should see a doctor.

How long does teething pain last for each tooth?

The worst discomfort typically lasts 3-5 days as each tooth breaks through the gum. Once the tooth erupts, symptoms usually improve quickly. However, teething is an ongoing process until all 20 baby teeth are in around age 2.5-3.

Can teething cause diarrhea?

Despite the popular belief, studies show no connection between teething and diarrhea. Babies often get diarrhea during the teething months because they’re putting everything in their mouths (increasing germ exposure) and their immune protection from mother is decreasing.

Is it normal for my baby to drool excessively during teething?

Yes, excessive drooling is one of the most common and normal teething symptoms. Babies don’t yet have full control of their swallowing, and teething stimulates saliva production. Keep the chin dry to prevent rashes.

My baby has been teething for months. Is this normal?

Teething symptoms can appear weeks before a tooth actually emerges. Some babies show signs on and off for months as teeth slowly move toward the surface. The active discomfort usually occurs in the final days before eruption.

Can I give my baby something frozen to chew on?

Chilled items are better than frozen. Rock-hard frozen items can bruise sensitive gum tissue. Refrigerate teething rings, washcloths, or fruit—don’t freeze them solid.

Are amber teething necklaces effective?

There’s no scientific evidence that amber necklaces relieve teething pain. More importantly, they pose serious strangulation and choking risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against them.

When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, using a soft infant toothbrush and a rice-grain sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. Brush twice daily, especially before bed.

Can teething cause ear infections?

Teething doesn’t cause ear infections, but babies often pull at their ears during teething because the pain can radiate to the jaw and ears. If your baby has fever, seems ill, or the ear pulling persists, have them checked for an ear infection.

Why is my baby refusing to eat during teething?

Sucking and chewing can put pressure on sore gums, making feeding uncomfortable. Offer cold foods, try different feeding positions, or give pain relief before meals. If food refusal lasts more than a day or two, consult your pediatrician.

Is it okay to use teething gel?

Teething gels containing benzocaine are not recommended for children under 2 due to safety concerns. Homeopathic teething gels have also been flagged by the FDA. Stick to safer methods like cold teething rings and appropriate-dose pain relievers.

My baby’s first tooth seems crooked. Should I be worried?

Baby teeth often come in at odd angles and may look crooked initially. They usually straighten out as more teeth emerge. Spacing between baby teeth is actually good—it leaves room for larger permanent teeth later.

Can teething cause night waking?

Yes, teething discomfort can disrupt sleep, especially at night when there are fewer distractions. This is usually temporary. Maintain consistent sleep routines and offer comfort without creating new sleep associations.

When should I be concerned about late teething?

Late teething (after 12 months) is usually just a variation of normal. However, if no teeth have appeared by 18 months, consult your pediatrician or pediatric dentist to rule out underlying issues.

Do breastfed babies teethe earlier or later?

Teething timing is mainly determined by genetics, not feeding method. Breastfed and formula-fed babies don’t show significant differences in when teeth appear.

Supporting Your Baby Through Teething

Teething is a normal part of development, but it can be challenging for babies and parents alike. With the right strategies, you can help your little one cope with the discomfort.

If you’re concerned about your baby’s teething symptoms, or if you have questions about their dental development, the pediatric team at myPediaClinic is here to help. From routine checkups to first dental visits, we support your child’s health every step of the way.

Book an appointment with our pediatric specialists today.