What is teething?

Teething is the normal process in which your baby's first set of teeth break through the gums (erupt). Teething may begin around 6 months of age, but each child is different. Teeth often come in first in the front of the mouth. Lower teeth usually erupt 1 to 2 months earlier than their matching upper teeth.

Your child may be irritable and uncomfortable when teething. Your child may bite on fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure in the gums. Children sometimes drool more during this time. The drool may cause a rash on your child's chin, face, or chest.

Teething may cause a mild increase in your child's temperature. But if their temperature is above 100.4 F (38 C), look for symptoms that may be related to an infection or illness.

Try rubbing the gums and giving your child safe objects to chew on to help ease the pain.

Some symptoms of teething may include:

• Being fussier than usual. It often begins about 3 to 5 days before a tooth erupts and goes away as soon as the tooth breaks through the baby's gums.
• Biting on fingers or toys. This may help relieve the pressure in the gums.
• Changes in eating and drinking. Teething babies may not want to eat and drink as much because their mouths hurt.
• Drooling. This can cause a rash on the baby's chin, face, or chest.
• A mild increase in the baby's temperature. If the temperature is higher than 100.4 °F (38 °C) , look for symptoms that may be related to an infection or illness. Severe or ongoing symptoms should be closely watched and discussed with your doctor.

Mild symptoms that get better usually are nothing to worry about.

When your child is teething, rub the affected gum. Try giving your child safe objects to chew on, including teethers and toys made for teething. Talk to your baby's doctor before giving an over-the-counter pain medicine. Avoid teething gels for children younger than age 2. Don't use teething tablets, which can harm your child.

You can help relieve discomfort by offering your baby safe objects to chew or suck on. Try teething rings, teethers, and toys made for teething. Clean them after each use. Cold foods, like small pieces of frozen bananas, can help soothe. Ask your child's doctor about using over-the-counter products, including gels. Avoid teething tablets.

Your baby is teething when the first set of teeth (primary teeth) break through the gums (erupt). It may start around 6 months of age. Each child is different. Teeth coming in earlier or later than this is normal. Teeth often come in at the front of the mouth, starting with the lower teeth.

There are many ways to help your baby who is teething. You can help relieve discomfort by offering your baby safe objects to chew or suck on.

Teething rings, teethers, and toys made for teething

A wide variety of teethers and toys are made of nontoxic materials and are specially designed for teething babies. Teething rings come in many different sizes and shapes. Some are made of firm rubber (with or without bumps). You can put the teething ring in the refrigerator to chill. Don't freeze the ring or teether because they can become too hard and may harm your baby's gums. Don't use fluid-filled teethers.

Clean teething rings, teethers, and toys after each use. Check the package label to see if the object is dishwasher-safe.

Never tie an object such as a teething ring or pacifier around your baby's neck. The cord could tighten and choke your baby or, at the very least, irritate their skin.

Cold foods or liquids

Babies often resist feedings when they are teething. Sucking brings more blood to the gums, which increases sensitivity and swelling in the area. If your child is eating solids, try offering cold foods and fluids to help reduce the swelling and discomfort. For example, try feeding your child:

• Hard, chewy frozen foods such as bagels and bananas. These types of foods can be given to babies older than 8 months. Give your child pieces of chewy foods that are small enough for them to swallow. But use care in the types of foods you provide, keep your baby sitting up, and closely supervise at all times. Do not give your child salty or spicy foods, because these may irritate the gums.
• Very cold applesauce, pureed peaches, or yogurt.

Over-the-counter products

Do not use teething gels for children younger than age 2. Ask your doctor before using mouth-numbing medicine for children older than age 2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that some of these can be dangerous.

Do not use teething powder or aspirin on your baby's gums. Inhaling small particles of teething powder or aspirin can cause lung problems. Also, aspirin should not be given to anyone younger than 20, because it has been linked with Reye syndrome.

Do not use teething tablets. The FDA warns against using teething tablets. They may contain belladonna, a toxic substance that can harm your child.

Do not give your baby any alcohol. Check medicine labels carefully. Avoid buying those that list alcohol as one of the first few ingredients. Alcoholic beverages, including fruit-flavored brandy or wine, can be harmful to your baby in any amount.

If your baby is teething, you may have questions that many other parents ask.

Are my baby's symptoms caused by teething?

When teething, many babies drool. Drooling can cause a rash on the chin, face, or chest.

Some babies may seem cranky when teething. This may be from soreness, swelling, and tenderness around the gums of the erupting tooth.

Babies may bite on their fingers or toys to help relieve the pressure in the gums. They may also refuse to eat and drink because of mouth soreness.

These symptoms usually begin about 3 to 5 days before a tooth erupts, and they disappear as soon as the tooth breaks through the gum. Other babies don't seem to show any signs of discomfort from teething.

Teething may cause a mild increase in your child's temperature. But if the temperature is higher than 100.4°F (38°C) , look for symptoms that may be related to an infection or illness.

Why are my baby's teeth not coming in as expected?

Some babies' teeth erupt later than average or in an unusual pattern. This is often normal. Sometimes delays or irregular eruption patterns are caused by minor problems, such as another tooth in the path of an erupting tooth, not enough space in the jaw, or failure of a tooth to break through the gum (impaction). A delay in eruption, absence of teeth, or crooked teeth may also be related to a birth defect of the mouth or jaw, such as cleft palate. If your 18-month-old has not had any teeth erupt, talk with your baby's doctor or dentist.

What if my baby loses a baby tooth because of an injury?

Early loss of a primary tooth may change the eruption of a permanent tooth. It may come in early or late. If the primary tooth loss occurs long before the expected eruption of the permanent tooth, a dentist may need to place a spacer in the child's mouth. If a spacer is not used, teeth on each side may tip into the space, causing an impaction.

Why does my child have a double row of teeth?

A secondary (permanent) tooth coming in behind a primary (baby) tooth may result in a double row of teeth. This usually is not a problem.

What if my child has a small jaw?

Although many children with a small upper or lower jaw have enough space for all their primary teeth, they may not have enough room in their mouth for all 32 permanent teeth. This can lead to crooked teeth. Discuss this concern with your baby's doctor or dentist.