Is Your Baby Teething? Here’s How You Can Tell

Nobody hands you a guide on how your baby’s mouth is supposed to develop, and if this is your first kiddo, you may not even know at what age their first tooth should pop into their mouth. Fortunately, that’s what professionals are for! Around four to seven months old, they’ll likely begin teething. This will signify that their teeth are beginning to come through the gum line. Read on to learn what to look out for as your baby starts to teethe.

Signs That Your Baby is Teething

Not every baby experiences the same teething symptoms, but some of the most common signs that you may notice include:

• Gums that are swollen or tender
• Fussiness and crying
• A raised body temperature that’s less than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Wanting to chew on hard items
• Lots of drool that causes facial rashes
• Coughing
• Sucking and trying to chew on their hands
• Changes in their eating and sleeping patterns
• Rubbing their cheeks or pulling on their ears

While these symptoms are typically a result of teething, contact your child’s pediatric doctor if they have diarrhea, a high fever, cough and congestion, or rashes on their body.

The Order of Baby Tooth Eruption

You baby’s teeth will gradually grow in over time, and the order in which they do varies from baby-to-baby. However, the first teeth that typically appear are their lower front two teeth. Next, their top two teeth and the two on either side of those will grow in. Some of the last teeth that you’ll see grow in are their top and bottom molars until their wisdom teeth come in between the ages of 16 and 25.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that you begin taking your baby to their pediatric dentist by the time their first tooth erupts or before their first birthday. This will provide you with peace-of-mind that their smile is developing properly as their teeth grow in.

Ways to Soothe Your Teething Baby

Here are a few different ways that you can help your baby feel more comfortable as their teeth erupt:

• Place something cold in their mouth, such as a refrigerated pacifier, spoon, clean and wet washcloth, or a teething ring. It’s best to avoid freezing these because they could become too cold and actually hurt your child’s mouth.
• Let them munch on unsweetened teething crackers.
• If your baby is older than six months, let them drink cool water from a sippy cup.
• Gently massage their gums with a clean finger or let your baby gnaw on your finger.

If you’re concerned about how your baby is handling teething, you can contact their pediatric dentist or physician for guidance. They’ll be able to offer you suggestions to help them feel more comfortable. Teething is only temporary and before you know it, your child will have a full set of teeth and a priceless, beautiful smile to show for it.

About the Author

Dr. Weston Jones completed his Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan in 2009. After that, he worked as a clinical associate professor at the University of Detroit Mercy in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. He has always loved forging excellent relationships between children and their oral health and offers a wide range of smile-protecting services for little ones. He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist. For questions or to schedule your child’s first appointment, visit Midland Kid’s Dentist’s website or call 432-520-5437.