Is My Baby Teething? Signs, Soothing Tips and What to Skip
A quick note from Baby Time Central: We share this information to help educate and support you as a parent. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace care from your child's doctor. Always talk with your pediatrician, dentist, or another trusted medical professional before making any decisions about your baby's health.
Drool on every bib. Fists in the mouth. A baby who's fussier than usual. Is it teething?
Maybe! Teething is a normal part of growing up, and lots of babies get through it with just a few grumpy days. Here's how to tell what's going on, and how to help.
The quick answer • When: most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, but every baby is different. • Signs: drooling, chewing on everything, sore gums and some fussy days. • Usually not teething: a fever of 100.4°F or higher, diarrhea or lots of crying. Call your pediatrician. • Soothe: rub the gums with a clean finger, or offer a solid teether (never frozen). • Skip: numbing gels, homeopathic tablets and teething necklaces. • First teeth: brush with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, and see a dentist by age 1.
Signs it might be teething
Some teeth show up with no fuss at all. When there are signs, you might notice:
Drooling. Way more than usual.
Chewing on everything. Toys, fingers, your shoulder.
Sore, swollen gums.
A rash around the mouth. That's usually from all the drool.
Fussiness or trouble sleeping.
Feeling a little warm, but under 100.4°F. That's not a fever.
Heads up: around 3 months, most babies drool and chew their hands anyway. That's normal exploring, not always teething.
When teeth usually show up
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, usually one of the bottom front teeth, and our chart below shows the order the rest tend to follow, based on the American Dental Association's baby teeth chart.
What's usually NOT teething (and when to call the doctor)
It's easy to blame teething for everything, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says teething doesn't cause a real fever, diarrhea or lots of extra crying. Those can be signs your baby is sick.
Call your pediatrician if your baby:
Has a temperature of 100.4°F or higher. If your baby is under 3 months, call right away.
Has diarrhea that lasts more than a day.
Is crying a lot more than usual, or seems really miserable.
Has a rash anywhere other than around the mouth.
Seems very sick or unusually sleepy.
Has anything else that worries you. It's always OK to call.
Call 911 if your baby is having trouble breathing.
Easy ways to soothe
Try a few of these and see what your baby likes:
A clean finger. Wash your hands, then gently rub your baby's gums.
A solid teether. Pick a firm one that isn't liquid-filled, and never freeze it, since frozen teethers are too hard for sore gums. Stay close while your baby chews.
A cool spoon. Gently rub the gums with a small, clean, cool spoon.
A cool, damp washcloth. Twist it, tie a knot in one end, and let your baby gnaw.
Cold water in a sippy cup, once your baby is over 6 months. (Starting solids? See our baby feeding guide by age.)
A cozy bedtime. A soothing bath and a gentle gum rub can help at night.
Pain medicine? Ask first. Talk with your pediatrician before giving acetaminophen (Tylenol) or, after 6 months, ibuprofen, and ask for the right dose.
What to skip
These can look helpful, but the FDA and AAP say to skip them:
Numbing gels with benzocaine (or lidocaine). They barely help, and they can cause a rare but serious problem with how the blood carries oxygen.
Homeopathic teething tablets or gels. There's no proof they work, and some have contained a toxic plant called belladonna.
Teething necklaces, bracelets or any jewelry. Amber, wood, silicone, any kind. They've caused choking and strangulation. Never leave anything around your baby's neck.
Frozen-solid teethers. Too hard for sore gums.
Liquid-filled teethers. They can leak or break.
Before you buy any teether, skip small parts and long strings, and check for recalls at CPSC.gov.
Caring for those first teeth
Cavities can start as soon as teeth show up, but a tiny routine goes a long way:
Before teeth: wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth after feedings.
Once a tooth shows up: brush twice a day with a soft baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. Switch to a pea-sized amount at age 3.
No bottles in bed. Milk sitting on the teeth all night can lead to cavities.
First dentist visit by age 1, or when the first tooth shows up, whichever comes first. That's what the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends. Ask about fluoride varnish, too. It's a quick painted-on coating that helps protect teeth.
The CDC suggests asking your doctor or dentist about fluoride toothpaste before age 2, so if you're unsure, just ask.
Our top 10 teething picks
We made an Amazon list of simple picks that fit the FDA and AAP advice above: solid teethers, soft baby toothbrushes, a finger brush, drool bibs and more. No numbing gels, no homeopathic tablets, no necklaces and no liquid-filled teethers.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. A product list isn't medical advice. Always follow the maker's age and care instructions, and stay with your baby while they use any teether.
Your one next step
Tonight, try a one-minute gum rub with a clean finger. If your baby leans in and chomps, you've found your first soothing trick. And if a fever or diarrhea shows up, call the pediatrician instead of blaming the teeth. You've got this ♡
More support: our baby feeding guide by age and free checklists.
A quick note from Baby Time Central: We share this information to help educate and support you as a parent. It isn't medical advice and doesn't replace care from your child's doctor. Always talk with your pediatrician, dentist, or another trusted medical professional before making any decisions about your baby's health.
Call your baby's doctor if your baby has a fever, diarrhea, a rash or seems unwell. If your baby is having trouble breathing, call 911.
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