Teething is one of those milestones that feels dramatic even when it is, medically speaking, very routine. If you are wondering when do babies get teeth, most will cut their first pearly-white between 4 and 7 months, though anywhere from 3 to 14 months is within the normal range. Here is the full timeline, the order teeth typically arrive in, what symptoms to expect, and what actually helps when your baby is uncomfortable.
The Teething Timeline
All 20 primary teeth are present in the jaw at birth and push through the gums over the next 2 to 3 years. The sequence is remarkably consistent across babies, even when the exact timing shifts by several months:
- ✓ 6 to 10 months: Bottom central incisors (the two front teeth on the lower jaw) usually come in first.
- ✓ 8 to 12 months: Top central incisors follow, giving your baby that classic four-tooth smile.
- ✓ 9 to 16 months: Top and bottom lateral incisors (the teeth beside the central ones) fill in.
- ✓ 13 to 19 months: First molars arrive, often the most uncomfortable set because of their size.
- ✓ 16 to 22 months: Canines (the pointed teeth between incisors and molars) appear.
- ✓ 23 to 33 months: Second molars complete the set. By age 3, most toddlers have all 20 baby teeth.
Teething Symptoms You Can Expect
Every baby is different, but the most common signs of teething cluster in the few days before a tooth breaks through. Expect one or more of these:
- ✓ Excessive drooling: Saliva production ramps up as the tooth moves through the gum.
- ✓ Chewing on everything: Hands, toys, the arm of the couch. Counterpressure on the gums feels good.
- ✓ Red, swollen gums: Sometimes you can see or feel the tooth just below the surface.
- ✓ Irritability or clinginess: The low-grade ache throws sleep and mood off for a few days.
- ✓ Sleep disruption: Often mistaken for a sleep regression, which can happen at similar ages.
- ✓ Decreased appetite for solids: A sore mouth makes eating less appealing. Nursing or bottle feeding usually continues normally.
- ✓ Drool rash: Red patches around the mouth, chin, and chest from constant wetness.
What Teething Does NOT Cause
This matters because pediatricians see babies every week whose parents attributed a real illness to teeth. Teething does not cause:
- ✓ True fever: Anything above 100.4 F (38 C) is not a teething symptom. Call your pediatrician.
- ✓ Diarrhea, vomiting, or rashes beyond the mouth: These point to viruses, not teeth.
- ✓ Persistent lethargy: Babies are uncomfortable when teething, not unwell. Lethargy needs a doctor's assessment.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby
What actually helps, based on pediatric guidance:
- ✓ Chilled silicone teethers: The cold numbs gums briefly. Refrigerate, don't freeze (frozen toys can damage delicate gum tissue).
- ✓ Damp washcloth in the fridge: Cheap, effective, and babies love the texture.
- ✓ Finger pressure: A clean adult finger pressed firmly on the gum provides instant relief.
- ✓ Chilled purees or breast milk ice chips (for babies over 6 months eating solids).
- ✓ Extra holding and distraction: A short walk, a new song, a change of scenery often resets a fussy afternoon.
- ✓ Infant acetaminophen (over 2 months) or ibuprofen (over 6 months) for a very painful tooth, only when recommended by your pediatrician and dosed by weight.
Avoid These Products
Some popular teething products carry serious risks. The FDA and AAP specifically warn against:
- ⚠️ Amber teething necklaces: Choking and strangulation risk. No clinical evidence they reduce pain.
- ⚠️ Benzocaine teething gels: Can cause a rare but serious blood condition (methemoglobinemia) in children under 2.
- ⚠️ Homeopathic teething tablets: Multiple brands have been recalled for inconsistent dosing of belladonna, a potentially harmful ingredient.
- ⚠️ Frozen solid objects: Can bruise or injure gum tissue. Chilled, not frozen.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Teething is miserable but rarely concerning. Call your pediatrician if your baby:
- ✓ Has a fever above 100.4 F (38 C)
- ✓ Is not drinking adequate fluids or wetting diapers normally
- ✓ Has no visible teeth by 18 months (a dental evaluation is recommended)
- ✓ Shows signs of a true illness beyond drool and fussiness
The Upside
Each tooth is a tiny inconvenience with a huge payoff: a slightly wider smile, a slightly clearer bite, and one step closer to the full mouthful of teeth that will power your toddler through eating, talking, and grinning at everyone in the supermarket. Stock up on silicone teethers, keep a stack of bibs in every room, and remember that the fussy stretches pass in days, not weeks.
Explore More
- Calculate your baby's exact age , down to the day and hour.
- When do babies crawl? , the milestone that often overlaps with first teeth.
- When do babies sit up? , another 6-month milestone worth tracking.
- Sleep regressions , often mistaken for teething but separate causes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teething
When do babies get their first tooth?
Most babies cut their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, though the normal range stretches from 3 months all the way to 14 months. The bottom two central incisors usually come in first, followed by the top two central incisors a month or two later. Some babies are born with a tooth (very rare) while others have no visible teeth on their first birthday, both ends of the range are considered normal.
What are the most common teething symptoms?
Classic teething signs include excessive drooling, chewing on hands or hard objects, mild fussiness, changes in sleep, red or swollen gums, decreased appetite for solid foods, and a strong urge to bite. Some babies develop a slight rash around the mouth from constant drool. Symptoms usually appear a few days before a tooth breaks through and fade once it has erupted.
Does teething cause fever?
Teething can cause a slight rise in temperature (up to about 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit / 38 degrees Celsius), but it does not cause a true fever. A temperature above 100.4 F, especially paired with vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy, points to an illness rather than teething. Pediatricians emphasize that teething should not make a baby seriously unwell, so do not attribute higher fevers to teeth.
In what order do baby teeth come in?
The general order is: bottom central incisors (6-10 months), top central incisors (8-12 months), top lateral incisors (9-13 months), bottom lateral incisors (10-16 months), first molars (13-19 months), canines (16-22 months), and second molars (23-33 months). All 20 primary teeth are usually in place by age 3, though timing can vary by several months.
How can I soothe a teething baby?
Safe, effective options include a chilled (not frozen) silicone teether, a clean damp washcloth placed in the fridge for 20 minutes, firm gum counterpressure from a clean finger, chilled purees or breast milk ice chips for older babies, and extra cuddles. Avoid amber teething necklaces (choking and strangulation risks) and teething gels containing benzocaine, which the FDA warns against for children under 2.
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
Start cleaning gums with a damp cloth from birth. Once the first tooth erupts, switch to a soft infant toothbrush twice a day using a rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste. At age 3 you can increase to a pea-sized amount. The American Dental Association recommends a first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in.