Curating the best options...
Gathering insights tailored just for you
Curating the best options...
Gathering insights tailored just for you
Curating the best options...
Gathering insights tailored just for you

Your baby is soaking through bibs, gnawing on their own fist like it personally wronged them, and losing it at 2am for reasons you can't figure out. You're half-asleep, Googling "when do babies start teething" with one eye shut. Been there.
Most babies cut their first tooth somewhere between 4 and 7 months. Some start earlier (yes, even at 3 months), and some don't get that first tooth until after their first birthday. All of it is normal. What isn't normal is spending hours reading articles that bury the actual answer behind 17 paragraphs of filler.
This guide gives you the straightforward version: real teething signs, a month-by-month chart of which teeth show up when, remedies that are safe (and the ones the FDA says aren't), and how to tell whether your baby is teething or getting sick. If teething is wrecking sleep in your house, our 4-month sleep regression guide covers that overlap.
Six months. That's the average. But averages hide a pretty wide range, and your baby might be well ahead of or behind that number.
Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months. The lower front teeth (bottom central incisors) almost always show up first. You'll see them pushing through the gum line as two tiny white ridges that feel sharp if your baby chomps on your finger.
Some babies start teething at 3 months. That catches parents off guard because most guides say "6 months" like it's a rule. It isn't. If your 3-month-old is suddenly drooling nonstop and cramming their hands into their mouth, early teething is a real possibility. The biggest factor in when teeth come in? Genetics. If you or your partner teethed early, your baby probably will too.
On the other end, some babies don't get a tooth until 12 or even 14 months. Also totally within the normal window. The only benchmark that warrants a call to a pediatric dentist: no teeth at all by 18 months.
Your baby's teething timeline is their own. The order matters more than the exact age. And speaking of order, here's what to expect.
Teeth follow a fairly predictable pattern, even when the timing varies baby to baby. Lower teeth tend to come in before the matching upper ones, and front teeth come before molars. Here's the standard eruption chart, based on data from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry:
| Tooth | Typical Age |
|---|---|
| Lower central incisors | 6–10 months |
| Upper central incisors | 8–12 months |
| Upper lateral incisors | 9–13 months |
| Lower lateral incisors | 10–16 months |
| Upper first molars | 13–19 months |
| Lower first molars | 14–18 months |
| Upper canines (cuspids) | 16–22 months |
| Lower canines (cuspids) | 17–23 months |
| Lower second molars | 23–31 months |
| Upper second molars | 25–33 months |
Teeth usually come in pairs (both lower central incisors within a few weeks of each other). The order can vary, and your baby won't necessarily follow this chart exactly. By age 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth in place.
If you're tracking your baby's growth milestones alongside teething, our Child Height Predictor can give you a projection based on parental heights.
Teething looks different in every baby. Some sail through each tooth with barely a whimper. Others turn into tiny rage monsters for a week straight. Here are the signs that point to teething:
This is the question every parent lands on at 3am. And it's worth getting right, because the answer changes what you do next.
Teething starts around the same age that babies lose the passive immunity they got from their mother during pregnancy. Those maternal antibodies start fading around 6 months, which means babies suddenly catch more colds, viruses, and ear infections right when teeth start coming in. The timing is not a coincidence. It's why so many parents (and even some older pediatric textbooks) blame fevers and diarrhea on teething, when the real cause is usually an unrelated illness showing up at the same time.
| Symptom | Teething | Likely Illness |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Slight rise (below 100.4°F) | True fever (100.4°F or higher) |
| Drooling | Heavy, constant | Normal levels |
| Runny nose | No | Yes |
| Diarrhea | No (timing coincidence) | Yes |
| Cough | No | Yes |
| Rash | Chin/face only (drool rash) | Body rash |
| Duration | Few days per tooth | Longer, may worsen |
| Behavior | Fussy but consolable | Lethargic, inconsolable |
Bottom line: if your baby has a temperature at or above 100.4°F, diarrhea, a body rash, or a cough, treat it as an illness. Don't chalk it up to teething. The AAP is clear on this.
If your baby's fussiness is paired with digestive changes, our baby constipation guide covers what's normal and what warrants a call to the doctor.
You don't need expensive products. The most effective teething remedies are simple, cheap, and probably already in your kitchen.
Teething at night is the worst part. The house is quiet, the distractions are gone, and the gum pain has your baby's full attention. Here's what helps:
Infant Tylenol (acetaminophen) dosing is weight-based, not age-based. Your pediatrician or pharmacist can tell you the right amount. Never give aspirin to any child under 18, and never give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months old.
Some of the most popular teething "remedies" on the market are flat-out dangerous for babies. This isn't about being alarmist. It's about knowing what the FDA and AAP have said, in writing, with data behind it.
Benzocaine is a topical numbing agent found in the original Orajel. The FDA issued a formal warning: benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition that reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry. It can be fatal. Benzocaine oral products are now banned for use in children under 2.
The current "Orajel Baby" products on shelves are benzocaine-free, but always flip the box over and check the active ingredients before buying anything.
There is zero scientific evidence that amber necklaces relieve teething pain. The claim that body heat releases succinic acid from the beads has been debunked. What isn't debunked: the choking and strangulation risk. The AAP recommends no jewelry of any kind on infants. The FDA has received reports of infant deaths linked to these necklaces.
In 2017, Hyland's voluntarily recalled its baby teething tablets after the FDA found inconsistent levels of belladonna (a toxic plant) across batches. The FDA reported adverse events including seizures and breathing difficulties. "Natural" does not mean safe.
Most teething passes without needing a doctor. But some symptoms don't belong to teething at all, and those need attention.
When in doubt, call. Your pediatrician has heard every version of "I think my baby is teething but I'm not sure" and they'd rather you ask than wait.
Teething is rough, but it's temporary. Each tooth takes about a week of fussiness to break through, and then your baby goes back to normal until the next one starts pushing. By age 3, all 20 teeth are in and this whole chapter is behind you.
In the meantime, a cold washcloth, a clean finger, and a lot of patience will get you through most of it. Save the worry for the stuff that actually matters: the fever that won't break, the rash that spreads, the baby who won't drink. That's when you pick up the phone. Everything else? You've got this.
This article is for informational purposes and does not replace medical advice. If you're concerned about your baby's teething symptoms or development, consult your pediatrician.
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