As your baby grows, you may start to notice the first signs of teething. Many parents dread the start of teething, worrying that their babies will cry more and have trouble sleeping. Some extra fussiness is normal.
The best way to get through teething smoothly is to understand exactly what is happening with your baby’s tooth development and how to soothe any uncomfortable symptoms they may feel.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Before you see any glimmers of teeth coming in, the biological process of teething begins under your baby’s gums when they’re around 3 to 4 months old1. You may notice your baby drool more and start chewing (or rather gumming) on items more often. The area where teeth will break through the gums may also become red and swollen before teeth are visible2.
You typically see your baby’s first tooth, one of the bottom central incisors, come in when they’re around 6 to 10 months old3. All babies are different, though. Some babies are even born with one or more teeth, but this is unusual2. Your baby could get their first tooth at 4 months or not until after they turn 1 year old, and that generally is not cause for concern on its own3.
Baby Teeth Chart: Order of Eruption
As a general guideline, you can expect your baby’s tooth development to follow this baby teeth order3:
- 6 to 10 months: Bottom central incisors
- 8 to 12 months: Top central incisors
- 9 to 13 months: Top lateral incisors
- 10 to 16 months: Bottom lateral incisors
- 13 to 19 months: First molars on the top row of teeth
- 14 to 18 months: First molars on the bottom row of teeth
- 16 to 22 months: Top canines
- 17 to 23 months: Bottom canines
- 23 to 31 months: Second molars on the bottom row of teeth
- 25 to 33 months: Second molars on the top row of teeth
Your child may not have their full set of 20 baby teeth until they’re 3 years old, and that’s normal2. Before long, those teeth will be falling out to make room for their permanent adult teeth.
Teething Symptoms and How to Soothe Them
Teething symptoms are typically what worry parents the most about their children’s primary teeth coming in. It’s true that teething can cause discomfort or even pain for babies, but there are also steps you can take to soothe those aches4.
Common teething symptoms include5:
- More drooling than usual
- Fussiness and crankiness
- Chewing on items
- Sore or tender gums
- A slight increase in temperature (not fever)
- A rash on the face
Your baby might have some of these symptoms or none at all while they’re teething. If, however, you notice symptoms like fever over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, excessive crying, or diarrhea, don’t assume they’re from teething—there’s often a different cause you should address5. Talk to your baby’s doctor if you notice these symptoms.
To soothe uncomfortable, sore gums, try rubbing a clean finger on your baby’s gum with gentle pressure. For older babies over a year old, you can rub the gums with ice for an extra soothing cooling effect5. Another option is giving your child chilled (but not frozen) teething rings or pacifiers to chew on.
When to Schedule Your Child’s First Dental Visit
When your child’s first baby tooth appears, you may assume it’s time to take them to the dentist. That would be premature, though. Experts recommend scheduling your child's first dental checkup by their first birthday or within 6 months of their first baby tooth coming in, whichever comes first6.
Choosing your pediatric dentist can be tough. You need an experienced team who can help your child feel comfortable and confident at the dentist, setting them up for excellent long-term oral health. Parents trust Beam Dental in New York and New Jersey to deliver exactly that. Our pediatric dental care is tailored to your child and their developmental stage to create a positive first dental experience.
Book your baby’s first dental visit to get them started on the path to great oral health.
Caring for Your Baby’s New Teeth
Once your baby’s first teeth come in, start a daily brushing routine. Gently brush your baby’s teeth twice per day with a soft infant toothbrush and a tiny rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Clean your baby’s gums with a damp cloth after every feeding. Also, avoid giving your child a bedtime bottle with anything other than water after you’ve brushed their teeth at night. Avoid sugar sitting on the teeth while they sleep. Once your baby has two primary teeth that touch, start flossing gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies start teething?
Babies typically start teething between 3 and 4 months old. You generally won’t see any baby teeth yet, but your baby may begin chewing on objects more frequently and drooling more as their teeth prepare to come in. Usually, you’ll see your baby’s first tooth when they’re around 6 months old. One of the bottom central incisors will likely come first.
What order do baby teeth come in?
Your child’s baby teething order generally follows this progression: center lower incisors, top central and lateral incisors, bottom lateral incisors, first top and bottom molars, top and bottom canines, and second top and bottom molars.
Your child will typically have all their baby teeth in place by the time they turn 3. However, don’t worry if your child’s teeth don’t follow this exact pattern as long as their teeth are coming in and there are no other concerning symptoms.
How many baby teeth should my child have?
A full set of baby teeth is 10 top teeth and 10 bottom teeth. Your child will generally have these primary teeth from the time they erupt until they start naturally falling out, around 6 to 7 years old4.
How can I soothe my teething baby?
Rubbing your baby’s gums may ease some teething discomfort. Many parents also find it helpful to give their babies chilled teething rings or pacifiers to chew on so they can soothe themselves. If your baby seems to be in a lot of pain, you can consider giving them pain relievers specifically for babies, such as baby Motrin® or baby Tylenol® for a day or two, but no longer5.
Sources:
- (10 September 2025). The Basics: What to Expect When Your Baby Starts Teething. University of Utah. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/kids-zone/all/2025/09/basics-what-expect-when-your-baby-starts-teething
- Kryl, C. (4 March 2026). A Parent's Guide to Teething: Teething Timeline, Symptoms, and Relief Strategies. Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://www.chla.org/blog/advice-experts/your-infant-teething-know-signs-and-symptoms
- Cherney, K. (21 March 2026). How to Tell If Your Baby’s Teeth Are in the Right Order. Healthline. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/baby-teeth-order
- (24 March 2023). Teething/Teething Syndrome. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11179-teething-teething-syndrome
- (21 December 2024). Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/teething/art-20046378
- A Child's First Dental Visit Fact Sheet. Stanford Medicine: Children’s Health. Retrieved August 25, 2026, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=a-childs-first-dental-visit-fact-sheet-1-1509
