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Teething: when teeth come through and how to help

At what age teeth appear and in what order, which signs are teething and which are not, what helps and why raki, honey and necklaces are a no.

4 min read

In this article

Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, but some get it before 4 months and some after 12 months. Both are normal. Rarely, a baby is born with a tooth.

The usual order

  • two bottom front teeth, then the top ones: around 6 months
  • the teeth either side of them: around 8 months
  • first molars: around 12 months
  • canines: around 18 months
  • second molars: around 24 months

By the age of 2 to 3, most children have all 20 milk teeth.

Signs of teething

  • red, swollen gums where the tooth is coming through
  • more dribbling than usual, sometimes with a rash around the mouth
  • chewing on everything
  • rubbing an ear or one flushed cheek
  • being more irritable and sleeping worse

Some babies barely notice, others are unsettled for a few days.

What teething does not cause

“They have a temperature because of their teeth.” Teething can raise the temperature very slightly, below 38°C. A temperature of 38°C or higher does not come from teething: look for another cause and follow the advice in fever in babies.

“They have diarrhoea from teething.” There is no evidence teething causes diarrhoea. If your baby has diarrhoea, especially for more than a day, talk to your paediatrician.

Blaming teeth for every problem can delay a check for a real illness.

What helps

  1. 1

    Teething rings

    Made of firm rubber or plastic, not liquid-filled, as those can split. You can chill them in the fridge, not the freezer.

  2. 2

    A cold cloth

    A clean, damp, chilled cloth to chew on.

  3. 3

    Gum massage

    Rub the gums gently with a clean finger.

  4. 4

    Food to chew

    From 6 months, large pieces of soft vegetables or fruit, always with you watching.

  5. 5

    Medicine only on advice

    If your baby is very unsettled, ask your paediatrician or pharmacist about a painkiller suited to their age and weight.

What not to use

  • Raki or alcohol on the gums. Even a little alcohol is dangerous for a baby.
  • Honey on the gums or on a biscuit. Babies under 1 should not have honey, as it can cause botulism, a serious poisoning.
  • Amber necklaces, charms or beads on the neck or wrist. They can strangle a baby, or break and block their breathing.
  • Numbing gum gels. Some contain ingredients that are dangerous for young children, and most do not help because dribble washes them away.
  • Sweet teething biscuits. Sugar damages new teeth.

From 6 months, your baby can also chew on large pieces of soft vegetables or fruit, always with you watching. See starting solid foods.

Caring for the first teeth

Brush as soon as the first tooth comes through, twice a day, with a soft baby toothbrush and a very small smear of fluoride toothpaste. The evening brush matters most. Do not let your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth.

Common questions

When do the first teeth come through?
Usually around 6 months, but anywhere between 4 and 12 months is normal.
Does teething cause a fever?
Only a very slight rise, below 38°C. A temperature of 38°C or higher has another cause and should be treated like any fever.
Can I rub raki or honey on the gums?
No. Alcohol is dangerous for babies, and honey should not be given before the age of 1.
When should I start brushing?
As soon as the first tooth appears, twice a day, with a soft brush and a small smear of fluoride toothpaste.

Sources we consulted

Written by the mam.al editors as general information. It does not replace advice from your paediatrician or dentist. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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