When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Timeline & Natural Relief

That first tooth is a milestone you’ll remember, mostly because of the sleepless nights that came with it. Teething typically starts between 4-7 months, but some babies get their first tooth as early as 3 months or as late as 12 months. All normal.

The Teething Timeline

Bottom central incisors come first (6-10 months), followed by upper central incisors (8-12 months), then lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and finally second molars around age 2-3. By age 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth.

Real Teething Signs vs. Myths

Actual signs: Drooling (lots of it), chewing on everything, swollen or tender gums, slight temperature increase (not a real fever), irritability, and sometimes refusing to eat.

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NOT caused by teething: High fever (over 100.4F), diarrhea, rash on the body, or ear infections. These are coincidental. Babies start teething around the same age maternal antibodies wear off, so they get sick more often. Correlation, not causation.

Safe, Non-Toxic Teething Relief

What Works

Cold pressure: A chilled (not frozen) washcloth, silicone teether from the fridge, or a cold spoon. The cold numbs the gums and the pressure feels good. This is the most effective and simplest remedy.

Silicone teethers: Look for 100% food-grade silicone, free of BPA, PVC, phthalates, and lead. Brands like mushie, Comotomo, and Dr. Brown’s make excellent options. Avoid anything with liquid inside (mold risk) or small parts.

Gum massage: Clean finger rubbed firmly on baby’s gums. Simple, free, and surprisingly effective. Wash your hands first, obviously.

Mesh feeders: Put frozen breast milk, cold fruit, or ice in a silicone mesh feeder. Baby gets cold relief AND nutrition. Win-win.

What to Avoid

Amber necklaces: No scientific evidence they work, and they’re a strangulation and choking hazard. The FDA has warned against them. Hard pass.

Benzocaine gels (Orajel, etc.): The FDA warns against using benzocaine products on children under 2 due to risk of methemoglobinemia, a serious condition where oxygen levels drop.

Homeopathic teething tablets: Some were recalled after being linked to adverse events. The FDA found inconsistent levels of belladonna in some products.

Frozen teethers: Too hard and can actually hurt or bruise swollen gums. Chilled is better than frozen.

When to Call the Doctor

If your baby has a fever over 100.4F, diarrhea lasting more than a day, a rash, or seems unusually lethargic, call your pediatrician. These aren’t teething symptoms and need proper evaluation.

Teething is temporary, even though it doesn’t feel like it at 3 AM. Most babies handle it better than we expect. Hang in there.

How to Soothe a Teething Baby (Safely)

Teething discomfort comes and goes in waves, usually flaring for a few days around each new tooth. These gentle, dentist-approved methods bring real relief without anything you’ll regret:

• Cold (not frozen) teethers. Chill a solid silicone or natural-rubber teether in the fridge — cold soothes inflamed gums. Avoid freezing hard, which can bruise gums.
• Counter-pressure. A clean finger or a damp, chilled washcloth to gently rub the gums works surprisingly well.
• A cold washcloth to gnaw. Twist a damp muslin cloth, chill it, and let baby chew the textured end.
• Extra cuddles & distraction. Teething pain is worse when babies are tired or bored — connection genuinely helps.
• For older babies (6+ months): chilled, soft foods like a refrigerated (not frozen) banana in a silicone feeder.

What to Avoid

The FDA warns against amber teething necklaces (strangulation and choking risk) and benzocaine gels like Orajel for infants (linked to a rare but serious blood condition, methemoglobinemia). Skip homeopathic teething tablets too — some have contained inconsistent amounts of belladonna. Stick to BPA-free silicone or natural rubber teethers and counter-pressure. If your baby is truly miserable, ask your pediatrician about an appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen rather than reaching for topical numbing gels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order do baby teeth come in?

Most babies get the two bottom front teeth first (around 6–10 months), followed by the top front teeth, then the ones on either side, then first molars, canines, and second molars by age 2–3. The exact order varies and isn’t a concern.

Can teething cause a fever?

Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature (under 100.4°F) but not a true fever. If your baby has a fever of 100.4°F or higher, diarrhea, or a runny nose, that’s an illness — not teething — and worth a call to your pediatrician, especially under 3 months.

How long does teething pain last per tooth?

Discomfort usually lasts a few days before and after a tooth breaks through the gum — not weeks. If your baby seems in pain for a long stretch, look for another cause.