Baby teething: signs, stages and relief tips

What is teething?

Teething refers to the process of a baby’s milk teeth, also known as primary teeth, breaking through the gums. These teeth play a crucial role in eating, speech development, and jaw alignment. Most children will have 20 milk teeth by the age of 2 or 3, which later make way for permanent adult teeth as they grow older. Some babies experience pain when teething, while other babies' teeth may emerge with no obvious discomfort at all.

When do babies start teething?

Teething typically begins around 6 months of age, although it can start as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. "Very occasionally teeth can actually be present at birth (natal teeth) or shortly after birth (neonatal teeth)," says Dr Hannah Walsh from the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. "These are seen in fewer than 1% of babies and shouldn’t be a concern, but you ought to ask for a referral to a paediatric specialist who will be able to advise if treatment is needed."

Common signs and symptoms of teething

Teething symptoms vary from baby to baby, but common signs that your baby may be starting to cut a new tooth include:

• Increased drooling
• Red, swollen gums
• Fussiness or irritability
• Chewing on objects or fingers
• Loss of appetite
• One red cheek
• A mild temperature of less than 38C
• Rubbing their ears
• A rash on their face
• Not sleeping as well as usual*

"Some people think that teething causes other symptoms, such as diarrhoea, however, there is no evidence to support this," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "Remember, you know your baby best. Get medical advice if they have any symptoms that are causing you concern."

*There's also little evidence to support the link between sleep disturbances, although many parents report disturbed nights around the time new teeth appear. "Contrary to popular belief, several studies have failed to establish a direct link between teething and sleep disturbances in younger children," says baby and toddler sleep consultant Sally Anysz, founder of Mini Sleepers. "Sleep disturbances during the teething period are more likely influenced by developmental changes, separation anxiety, and sleep associations."

The stages of teething: What to expect

Teething occurs in stages, usually beginning with the eruption of the lower front teeth, or central incisors, often between the ages of 6 to 10 months. These are followed by the upper central incisors, lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally, second molars. By the age of 2 to 3 years, most children will have a full set of 20 primary/ baby teeth.

Children will keep these teeth until about the age of 6 or 7 years, when they will start to lose teeth to make way for adult teeth usually in the same order that they erupted.

How long does teething last?

Teething is an intermittent process that can last up to two years. Don't worry though, your child won't be in constant pain for two years! While each tooth eruption may cause temporary discomfort, the pain is typically short-lived and stops once the tooth has pushed through the gum.

Some babies may experience a few days of symptoms, whereas others may have discomfort for weeks. "It takes approximately 8 days for a milk tooth to emerge," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "If the tooth doesn’t emerge and the area is painful, then consult your dentist. Usually, by the time a child is 3 years old, all their 20 milk teeth will have come through. This is not a hard and fast rule, and some may be earlier and some later, but 3 is a good benchmark."

It's a good idea to be prepared for the on-and-off nature of teething by ensuring you always have useful remedies and teething toys to hand.

Tips to soothe a teething baby

There are several methods to help ease teething discomfort:

• Offer a chilled teething ring (teething beads or necklaces are a choking risk and not recommended).

"Some teething rings can be cooled first in the fridge, which may help to soothe your baby's gums," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "Don’t put a teething ring in the freezer, as it could damage your baby's gums if it gets frozen. And, never tie a teething ring around your baby's neck, as it may be a choking hazard."

• Offer baby a clean cold damp flannel to chew on.
• Massage their gums gently with a clean finger or teething gel.
• Provide cold foods such as frozen yoghurt or milk lollies and fruit slices such as melon to soothe sore gums.
• Ensure your baby stays hydrated, especially if they are drooling excessively.
• Give extra cuddles and comfort, as teething can make babies feel unsettled.
• Distract your baby through play.
• Cut up raw vegetables like carrot sticks for baby to gnaw on.
• Make sugar-free teething biscuits for baby to bite down on.

"It is best to avoid rusks because most brands contain some sugar," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "Avoid any foods that contain lots of sugar, as this can cause tooth decay, even if your child only has a few teeth."

Teething remedies

There's no miracle cure to take away teething pain but some parents report that over-the-counter remedies such as teething gels, granules or powders have helped ease the symptoms for their child. "There's a lack of evidence that teething gels are effective," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "It's recommended that parents try non-medical options for teething first, such as a teething ring. If you do decide to use a gel, make sure you use one that's specially designed for young children.

"There's no evidence that homeopathic teething gels are effective. If you use a homeopathic gel, make sure it's licensed for use in the UK, since some unlicensed homeopathic gels advertised on the internet have been linked to serious side effects."

If your baby is in pain, you may want to give them a sugar-free painkilling medicine. Paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to relieve teething symptoms in babies from 3 months of age. Children under 16 years old should not have aspirin."

We asked our MadeForMums Top Testers community of parents what they found had helped their babies when they were teething. Their tried-and tested advice ranged from natural remedies like frozen breastmilk lollies, frozen fruit like strawberries and kiwis in a Nuby Nibbler and matchstick monkey teething toys to medical solutions such as Anbesol Liquid, Dentinox Teething Gel, Ashton & Parsons teething powders and Bonjela Teething Gel.

If the dribble is flowing out of your baby in rivers, one mum suggested an endless supply of dribble bibs, plus a covering of Lansinoh Organic Nipple Balm on baby's chin or chest to stop it getting sore or developing a rash from all the extra saliva.

When to see a doctor about teething symptoms

"If the discomfort seems significant or both cheeks are flushed or they have a raised temperature or prolonged discomfort, you should seek medical advice to help rule out other conditions such as an ear infection," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "You could contact either your doctor or dentist for their advice or visit your local pharmacist."

When should you take your baby for their first dentist appointment?

"A baby should be taken to the dentist as soon as their first teeth come through or their first birthday," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry created the Dental Check by One (DCby1) initiative to encourage parents and carers to take their baby to the dentist before they are aged one, either for their own appointment or to sit them on your lap at the end of your appointment to have their mouth, gums and teeth examined."

In this first visit the dentist will spend time making sure it's fun and pleasant experience, to help children develop a good association with going for regular check-ups.

You should also begin brushing your baby's teeth as soon as they come through using a soft brush that's the right size for your child's age and a toothpaste with the correct amount of fluoride. "For infants it is recommended you use a flat smear (the same volume as a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste that contains at least 1000ppm fluoride until they are age three," says Dr Hannah Walsh. "A preventative oral health approach is the best start for a lifetime of good oral health. You should also aim to stop using a feeding bottle from the age of one."

Read more:

• How to soothe your baby when they're teething
• 10 of the best baby teethers
• Brushing baby teeth: tips for baby oral care

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