Although you can't see them for several months, most newborns are born with a partially developed set of baby teeth, also known as the primary teeth. At around 6 months of age, these teeth begin poking through the gum line, beginning a new process in your baby's development: teething.
Tooth Development
The two bottom front teeth -- the central incisors -- erupt first, generally between 4 months and 7 months. About four to eight weeks later, the four front upper teeth -- the central and lateral incisors -- break through the gum line. Roughly a month later, a tooth on either side joins the bottom front teeth. These two teeth are the lower lateral incisors. The upper and lower molars in the back of the mouth follow. The canines and the upper and lower lateral molars arrive last. By age 3, most toddlers have all 20 primary teeth.
Symptoms and Side Effects
Some babies go through the teething process with no pain and few signs of teething beyond drooling and chewing on whatever they can find. For those who experience pain, teething can interfere with sleep and eating. The pain might cause anywhere from a little additional crying to crying that lasts for around three weeks. Teething can also cause swollen gums, harmless cysts and a slightly elevated temperature, but not a fever.
Teething Care
Clean, cool compresses, teething rings, pacifiers, spoons and wet gauze can help ease the pain of swollen gums. You can also rub the gums with your finger, but you should not apply anything frozen to the gums. Your dentist may recommend a numbing salve for the gums. Once a tooth erupts, wet a soft-bristled toothbrush with water and gently brush the tooth. Do not use toothpaste until your child is at least 2 years old and can spit out -- and not swallow -- the paste.
Warnings
Call the doctor if your baby experiences a fever or diarrhea, as these are not normal side effects of teething. The drooling from teething can cause a rash if you don't regularly wipe it away with a clean cloth. Don't give aspirin or try to rub any pain reliever or teething powder on the gums or teeth, but you can give liquid baby acetaminophen. Never tie any teething device around your baby's neck, as that can cause choking or strangulation. If your baby has a significant delay in tooth development, contact your pediatrician or dentist.
