In this article
Your usually sunny baby is suddenly dribbling through three bibs a day, chewing every toy in reach and waking unsettled at night. So, when do babies start teething? For many families, the first tooth appears at around six months, but the normal range is much wider than the milestone charts suggest.
Some babies cut their first tooth as early as four months. Others have no visible teeth until after their first birthday and are completely healthy. Teething is rarely a neat, one-week event either. Teeth tend to arrive in bursts, with calm patches in between, which can make it hard to know whether a grumpy afternoon is caused by sore gums, a cold, hunger or simply a baby having a big day.
When do babies start teething, usually?
Most babies get their first tooth between six and 10 months. The lower front teeth, called the central incisors, are often first, followed by the upper front teeth. From there, teeth usually emerge in a fairly predictable order, although timing differs hugely from child to child.
By about 12 months, many babies have a few front teeth. First molars often come through between 12 and 16 months, canines around 16 to 20 months, and the second molars commonly arrive between 20 and 30 months. Most children have their full set of 20 baby teeth by roughly age three.
Family history plays a part. If you or your partner teethed late, your baby may too. Being born early can also shift the timetable, so use your baby’s corrected age when discussing development with a health visitor or GP.
A late first tooth on its own is not usually a problem. Still, mention it at a routine check if your child has no teeth by 18 months, or sooner if you have concerns about feeding, growth or their overall development. Your dentist can also advise once that first tooth arrives.
The signs that really can point to teething
Teething can make babies uncomfortable, but it does not turn every difficult day into a dental mystery. Look for a cluster of changes rather than one sign alone.
You may notice more dribbling, red or slightly swollen gums, and an intense desire to chew fingers, muslins and toys. Some babies become clingier, feed differently for a few days, or rub their cheeks and ears. Sleep can be disrupted, particularly when larger teeth such as molars are moving through the gum.
A mild rise in temperature can happen when a baby is uncomfortable, but a true fever is not something to put down to teething. The same goes for diarrhoea, vomiting, a significant rash, wheezing, or a baby who is unusually sleepy and hard to settle. Babies this age put everything in their mouths and pick up plenty of viruses, so illness and teething often overlap by coincidence.
Trust that nagging feeling if your child seems properly unwell. Call NHS 111, your GP, or seek urgent help as appropriate, especially for a baby under three months with a temperature of 38C or above, a baby who is struggling to breathe, refusing feeds, showing signs of dehydration, or developing a rash that does not fade when pressed.
What actually helps a teething baby
The goal is simple: offer safe pressure and comfort without introducing anything that creates a new risk. A clean teething ring cooled in the fridge can be soothing. Do not freeze it, as a rock-hard ring can hurt tender gums. A clean, cool damp flannel to chew can work just as well, and it is easy to replace when it becomes soggy.
Gentle gum massage with a clean finger may help, particularly before a feed or bedtime. If your baby has started solids, cool soft foods such as yoghurt or fruit purée can be comforting, provided they are already suitable for your child’s age and stage. Stay close during meals and avoid hard foods that could break off and cause choking.
Dribble causes its own small disaster zone. Pat, rather than rub, your baby’s chin and cheeks, change damp bibs promptly and use a simple barrier cream if the skin is becoming sore. This is less glamorous than a teether shaped like a woodland animal, but it often makes a noticeable difference.
If your baby seems in real pain, speak to a pharmacist, GP or health visitor about whether an age-appropriate painkiller such as infant paracetamol is suitable and how much to give. Follow the product instructions carefully and use the measuring syringe supplied. Do not alternate medicines or give more than recommended in the hope of securing a full night’s sleep.
Teething products to treat with caution
Parents are often offered gels, powders, necklaces and home remedies at the exact moment they are most tired. That does not make them the best option.
Avoid amber teething necklaces and bracelets. There is no reliable evidence that they relieve pain, and they bring a strangulation and choking risk. They are not safe, even when an adult is nearby.
Be cautious with numbing teething gels. Some are not recommended for young babies, and too much numbing medicine can make swallowing less safe. Teething powders and herbal remedies are also not automatically harmless because they are sold as ‘natural’. Ask a pharmacist before using any product, particularly for a baby under six months.
A little care is needed with teethers too. Choose one that is made for babies, has no loose pieces, and is in good condition. Never tie it around your baby’s neck, wrist, cot or pushchair. Check it regularly for cracks and wash it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Feeding and sleep during teething
Sore gums can make a keen feeder suddenly fussy. Breastfed babies may want short, frequent feeds, while bottle-fed babies may prefer a different temperature or pace for a few days. Offer feeds calmly and often, but do not assume every refusal is teething. Fewer wet nappies, persistent refusal to drink or signs of dehydration need medical advice.
At night, comfort is reasonable. A cuddle, a feed, a cool flannel before bed or a little extra reassurance can get everyone through a rough patch. Try not to introduce a sleep arrangement you know will be difficult to sustain unless it is what your family genuinely needs right now. Teething passes, but exhaustion can make every decision feel permanent.
If your baby wakes distressed night after night, check the basics first: temperature, illness, hunger, nappy, room comfort and whether something else has changed. Teething may be part of the picture, but it is rarely the only possible explanation.
Start dental habits with the first tooth
The first tooth is your cue to begin brushing, even if it feels ridiculously early. Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste designed for children under three and a small, soft toothbrush twice a day, including before bed. In the UK, toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm fluoride is generally recommended for young children.
Keep sugary drinks and snacks to mealtimes where possible. Milk and water are the best drinks for teeth, and bottles in bed should contain only water or milk. Once teeth are touching, a dentist can advise about cleaning between them.
Book your child in with a dentist when their first tooth comes through, or by their first birthday. Early visits are mostly about building familiarity and getting practical advice, not expecting a toddler to sit through a perfect examination.
Teething can be a messy, sleep-thieving phase, but it is temporary. Keep the response low-tech: cool pressure, extra comfort, safe pain relief when advised, and a close eye on symptoms that do not fit the usual pattern. Your baby does not need you to solve every grizzle – they need you nearby while it passes.
