Teething isn’t always the smoothest transition for your baby to go through. Some babies take it like champs; others keep you sleepless for nights on end.

In this article, we’ll give you some insights on how to be prepared for your baby’s first little tooth. We’ll also share some remedies that are safe and proven to work.

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Generally speaking, your little one should start teething before they’re one year old.

The majority of babies will have their first tooth erupt between the age of five to eight months. However, there’s no such thing as a “normal” age to grow the first tooth.

Some early teethers cut their first tooth at just three months old. Others can be in the rare minority that is born with one tooth or more!

Suppose your baby doesn’t start developing teeth until they’re one year old. That’s usually not a cause of concern, but it's best to book an appointment with a pediatric dentist if you feel concerned. In any case, your baby should have their first complete set of teeth by three years old.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Some lucky parents have babies that experience no pain at all during teething. It’s not exactly known why some babies tolerate teething better than others. However, early teethers are usually the ones who show the least signs of discomfort.

This is probably attributed to the baby’s younger age. Delicate gums can easily cut without much resistance. In addition, the baby is usually still overwhelmed by the new surroundings to notice the pain.

That said, your baby will most likely show these signs from as early as three months old.

When the teeth start making their way to the surface, you might notice your baby is becoming very fussy.

The new teeth start pressing against the baby’s gums, causing pain that ranges from mild to moderate. 

The good news is that the pain usually becomes tolerable after a few days. You can also try some pain-alleviating remedies to soothe the pain.

Babies will often cry when their gum tissues become inflamed. The more inflamed the gums are, the more the baby will be unable to control his whining.

The first teeth are usually what trigger crying since they’re the biggest and cause the most pain. However, once your baby starts getting used to teething, you might be able to enjoy a couple of good nights' sleep.

Speaking of good night’s sleep, your little one might also experience disrupted sleep cycles during the first stages of teething.

Little sleep can further intensify crying and moodiness. So it’s best to make sure your baby is as comfortable as he can before going to bed.

It’s a common misconception that teething can be soothed by sucking on a bottle or a breast. In reality, sucking can cause your infant’s gums to become sore.

If your baby’s gums are inflamed, it’s best to switch to less solid foods. Yogurt and blended or frozen fruits are great options. Don’t forget that your baby will become more frustrated if the pain leaves him hungry as well.

Another common sign babies do is continuously rub their face when they’re aching.

The chin, cheeks, ears, and gums are all connected to the same nerve pathways. This will make your baby think he can alleviate the pain by rubbing these areas.

If your baby keeps pulling his ear for a prolonged time, it could be a sign of an ear infection. Check if there are other symptoms and book an appointment with a pediatrician if the symptoms get worse.

Of course, applying counter pressure on the gums can cause temporary relief. This is why you’ll find your baby gnawing at toys, bottles, or nipples.

This is not a cause of concern. However, make sure your baby doesn’t start biting on his crib or any hard object.

How Will You Know When They Are Teething?

Teething is usually accompanied by at least one of these symptoms. They can vary in severity but usually get much better with time. 

Teething will almost always stimulate drooling. This can start from as early as ten weeks old and continue until all the teeth have come out.

There’s nothing you should do except frequently wipe your little one’s mouth. This will prevent chapping and keep your baby more comfortable.

A lot of saliva on your baby’s face can potentially cause rashes and chaffings, so make sure you constantly wipe his face and neck with a soft towel.

Gagging and maybe a few coughs are also associated with the increased salivation. Your baby will feel the need to spit, gag, or cough to rid himself of the excess saliva.

You should be aware that coughing isn’t linked to teething and can indicate another problem like allergies or the flu.

Symptoms of Teething

The best home remedies you can offer your infant are either applying a cold towel on your baby’s gums or buying a soft chewing toy.

Chewing toys are recommended if your baby likes to chew a lot. There are a lot of rubber chewing toys that provide counter-pressure to the gums and keep your baby distracted.

Inflamed gums can easily be relieved by a cold cup of water. Just make sure it’s ice-free and not too cold in order not to irritate the baby’s throat.

Home Remedies for Teething

It’s best not to give your baby any pain relievers until your doctor approves it.

Your doctor will usually prescribe acetaminophen if he’s older than two months and ibuprofen if he’s older than six months. Make sure to never increase the dose by yourself or go for different pain relievers.

Over-the-Counter Remedies for Teething

If you’ve followed our article, you now know what to expect when your baby starts growing his first little tooth.

Don’t fret; most of the time, the process is smooth and without complications. Just be mindful of remedies that use ineffective ingredients, like rubbing alcohol or teething gels. They simply don’t work and could potentially harm your child.


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When Do Babies Start Teething? Early Signs, Symptoms, and Remedies

When Do Babies Start Teething?

How Will You Know When They Are Teething?

Symptoms of Teething

Home Remedies for Teething

Over-the-Counter Remedies for Teething

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