Updated: 1/16/2026
Teething just might be Mother Nature’s way of testing parents. Your baby is finally sleeping through the night—and then, sometime between 4 and 8 months, teething begins. While cutting teeth is an important developmental milestone (right up there with crawling, walking, and talking), it often comes with discomfort for both babies and parents.
Here’s what you need to know about baby teething, toddler teething, common teething symptoms, and safe, effective ways to help your child feel better.
Many parents are surprised to learn that babies are actually born with all of their teeth already forming beneath the gums. These are called tooth buds, and they eventually develop into baby teeth (primary teeth) and later permanent teeth.
Most babies begin teething between 4 and 8 months, though timing can vary widely. Baby teeth usually come in pairs, starting with the bottom front teeth, followed by the top front teeth. By their first birthday, some babies may have several teeth, while others may have none—and both can be completely normal.
By 18 months, most children should have at least one tooth. If no teeth have erupted by then, it’s a good idea to talk with your child’s pediatrician or pediatric dentist.
Irritability or fussiness
Excessive drooling
Sore or swollen gums
Biting or chewing on objects
Decreased appetite
Trouble sleeping
Some parents notice symptoms like fever, diarrhea, diaper rash, or a runny nose around the same time as teething. However, teething should not cause a fever over 101°F. If your baby has a high fever or other concerning symptoms, consult your pediatrician.
Dental Tip: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your baby’s first dental visit by their first birthday or when their first tooth appears—whichever comes first.
While baby teeth are thin and sharp, toddler molars are larger and flatter, which can make teething more uncomfortable.
The two-year molars typically erupt between 23 and 33 months. These molars sit in the back of the mouth and often cause more pressure and soreness than earlier teeth.
Jaw discomfort
Ear pain or ear tugging
Increased irritability
Because of nerve connections in the jaw, teething molars can sometimes cause referred ear pain. However, teething should not cause a high fever. If your toddler has a fever above 101°F, it may indicate an ear infection or another illness, and you should contact your pediatrician.
The good news? Once those molars come in, your child will have all 20 of their baby teeth.
Gently rubbing gums with a clean finger
Using a cool spoon or cold, damp washcloth
Offering solid rubber teething rings (recommended by the ADA)
Some parent-approved options include:
Frozen fruit (like bananas or grapes) placed in a mesh feeding bag
A pacifier filled with water and frozen
Chilled yogurt or applesauce for babies eating solid foods
Smoothies or chilled fruits
Soft, cool foods like soups or applesauce
A frozen bagel to gnaw on (with supervision)
To manage excess drool, gently dab (don’t rub) your child’s chin with a soft cloth. Applying a small amount of petroleum jelly can help prevent drool-related skin irritation.
Not all teething products are safe. To protect your child’s health, avoid the following:
The FDA warns against amber teething necklaces due to choking and strangulation risks.
The FDA also advises against homeopathic teething tablets, which have been found to contain unsafe levels of belladonna, a toxic substance that can affect the nervous system.
Do not use teething gels or liquids containing benzocaine (such as Orajel or Anbesol) for children under 2. These products offer little benefit and carry serious health risks.
Never give aspirin to children unless directed by a pediatrician. Baby aspirin is not for babies and can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition. Also, never rub aspirin on the gums—it won’t help and can cause burns.
If pain persists, talk to your pediatrician about the correct dosage of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies 6 months and older).
Every child experiences teething differently. Some breeze through it, while others need a little extra comfort and care. Understanding teething symptoms, knowing what’s safe to use, and avoiding risky remedies can make the process easier for both you and your child.
If you ever have questions about your child’s oral health, teething timeline, or first dental visit, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician or pediatric dentist. You’ve got this—and so does your little one.
Teething just might be mother nature’s way of testing us – your baby is finally starting to sleep through the night and then, four to eight months in, teething begins. And while cutting teeth is an important milestone for your baby, like walking or talking, it’s not without its fair share of discomfort. Here’s our take on what to expect and how to help your child get to feeling better.
Did you know that babies are actually born with all of their undeveloped teeth already in their gums? They’re called tooth buds, and they’re the foundation of what becomes their baby teeth and eventually, their permanent teeth.
Baby teeth typically come in pairs, starting with the bottom middle teeth, followed by the top middle teeth. And by their first birthday, some babies have as many as eight teeth, and some have none at all! Your child should have at least one tooth by 18 months, so if a pearly white tooth hasn’t poked through yet, talk to your child’s pediatrician.
Some common signs your baby may be teething include; irritability, fussiness, drooling, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping and biting. Sometimes parents report other symptoms around the same time as teething; a fever greater than 101° F, diarrhea, diaper rash or runny nose, but these symptoms are not normal and you should consult your pediatrician.Â
Remember: your baby should have their first visit to the dentist by the time they get their first tooth, or by their first birthday.
While their first teeth are sharp and thin, their two-year molars are larger and squarely shaped, making for little more discomfort. For most children, these teeth come in between the 23-33 month mark.
The symptoms of teething are similar for toddlers, but luckily for them, two-year-olds and beyond have more options for managing their discomfort. By this age, toddlers are also able to better express themselves to communicate what they need.
A new symptom may emerge around the same time as your child’s molars; ear pain. Because of the location of these new teeth in the back of the mouth, your toddler’s ears may feel hot to the touch and you may catch your child tugging or rubbing at their ears. Teething, however, should not cause a fever. If your child has a fever greater than 101° F, it may be an ear infection and you should schedule an appointment with their pediatrician.
The good news is that once these molars have come in, your child should have all 20 of their baby teeth. For more information on these primary teeth and what to expect, visit our other blog.
Your baby may have sore or tender gums as their teeth are just starting to come in. You can help by rubbing a clean finger, a cool spoon, or a cold washcloth along their gums. The ADA recommends that you look for teething rings made of solid rubber.
Other mom-approved recommendations include frozen fruits – like grapes or bananas – put into a mesh feeding bag for baby to chew on. Another option is filling their pacifier with water and freezing it. It’s cold, can’t be swallowed and baby can suck on it to soothe themselves.
If your child is big enough for solid foods, yogurt or applesauce is a relief and a sweet treat all in one! A frozen bagel is easy for little hands to hold and gnaw on to help cut those brand new little teeth. Mealtime for toddlers gives parents more options like smoothies, soups, and chilled fruits.
To address the excess drool your little one may be making, gently dab or wipe the excess saliva away with a soft washcloth. Avoid rubbing it away to protect delicate skin, and smear a little petroleum jelly on their chin to create a barrier to prevent further irritation.
While there are lots of options for what’s safe for your baby to teethe on, there are just as many things to avoid to keep your child healthy.
As more homeopathic and natural remedies are marketed towards parents, it’s important to discern between what is going to cause more harm than good. In December 2018, the FDA released an official warning against amber teething necklaces as they present both a choking and a strangulation hazard.
Additionally, the FDA discourages the use of homeopathic teething tablets, after lab testing found belladonna far exceeding the amount claimed on the label. Belladonna, also known as deadly nightshade, is poisonous in high doses and can cause a number of problems stemming from an inhibited nervous system.
The FDA also recommends that parents not give their children under two years of age any products containing benzocaine, as they can carry serious risks and little to no benefits for babies. Benzocaine is available over-the-counter and is sold under product names like Orajel, Orabase, Anbesol, and Hurricane.
Lastly, if your baby just can’t get enough relief, consult your pediatrician about the proper dosage before giving your baby infants’ acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies 6 months or older).
And remember: baby aspirin is not safe for babies. Contrary to the name, baby aspirin is a low-dose aspirin meant for adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, when it’s given to children, it can sometimes lead to Reye’s syndrome, a rare but serious condition that causes swelling in the brain and liver. Only give your child aspirin at the direction of their pediatrician. And no matter the age, never rub aspirin along the gums for pain relief: it won’t do anything for pain and may leave a burn on gums.
Every child is different. Some may have an easy time teething, but most children will experience at least some level of discomfort. We hope these tips help soothe both you and your child as you get through the teething stage.
Â