The First Year · Teething
Her first tooth.
One morning you'll spot a tiny white edge peeking through her gums. Here's when teeth arrive, how to comfort her safely, and how to care for that very first tooth.
She's grinning up at you from the changing table, and something catches the light. A tiny white edge, right there on her bottom gum. You lean in closer, and there it is: her first tooth. That gummy smile you've fallen in love with is about to become a toothy one.
Teething can bring some drool and a few fussy days, but it's also one of the sweetest milestones of the first year. Here's what to expect, and how to help her through it.
When teeth arrive
Here's a lovely fact: your baby was born with all 20 of her baby teeth already tucked inside her jaws. They just take their time coming through.
Most babies begin teething somewhere around 4 to 7 months, and a first tooth usually appears around 6 months. Many babies get their first teeth between 6 and 12 months. The two bottom front teeth usually come in first. By age 3, most children have their full set.
Signs she's teething
You may notice:
- Drooling. Lots of it, sometimes with a little rash around her mouth from the wetness.
- Chewing on everything. Fingers, toys, your shoulder.
- Fussiness. She may be a bit more out of sorts than usual.
Fever and diarrhea are not signs of teething. Neither are diaper rash or catching more colds. If she has any of these, something else is likely going on, and it's worth a call to her pediatrician.
Gentle ways to comfort her
The simplest comforts are often the best ones:
- Your clean finger. Gently rub her gums.
- A firm rubber teething ring. Solid, not liquid-filled.
- Something cool. A chilled, damp washcloth works well. Skip anything frozen solid, which can be too hard on her gums.
- A sip of cold water. If she's over 6 months, offer it in a sippy cup.
- A calm bedtime. A warm bath, a gentle massage or soft white noise can help on restless nights.
If she's really uncomfortable, ask her pediatrician whether acetaminophen is a good idea, and how much to give.
Stay with her while she chews, so nothing ends up where it shouldn't.
What to leave on the shelf
Numbing gels and liquids. The FDA says benzocaine products should not be used for teething pain in children because they can cause a serious, sometimes fatal, blood condition called methemoglobinemia. Lidocaine solutions shouldn't be used for teething in babies and young children either. Teething necklaces and bracelets. The FDA has received reports of deaths and serious injuries, including strangulation and choking, linked to teething jewelry such as amber necklaces. The AAP advises against necklaces made of amber, wood, marble or silicone. Homeopathic teething tablets and gels. The AAP recommends avoiding them, too.
Caring for that first tooth
Even before teeth arrive, you can wipe her gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth, once after the first feeding of the morning and again right before bed.
Once that first tooth appears, start brushing twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. Make one of those brushings after her last food or drink of the day. You'll switch to a pea-sized amount after age 3.
A few more sweet habits:
- No bottle in bed. Falling asleep with a bottle can lead to tooth decay.
- Ask about fluoride varnish. The AAP recommends it once children have teeth, and if she doesn't have a dentist yet, her pediatrician can apply it.
- Book her first dental visit. Plan it after that first tooth comes in and by her first birthday.
When to call her pediatrician
Call if she has a fever, diarrhea that lasts more than a day, or crying that's more frequent or more intense than usual. These aren't part of normal teething, and her pediatrician can help figure out what's going on.
That toothy grin
One tooth turns into two, then four, and before you know it, she's flashing a whole new smile at you across the breakfast table. Grab your camera for that first one. It's the start of a lifetime of grins.
Here's to every drooly kiss and every brand new smile, Mama.
The date and the story of every first, ready to print.
Where this comes from
This article draws on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It's here to help, not to replace your own doctor, midwife or pediatrician. If you have questions, ask them.
- Teething Pain Relief: How to Soothe Your Baby's Discomfort, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Baby's First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
- Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Oral Health Tips for Children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention