Teething is often one of the milestones parents and caregivers most dread as their baby grows, but it is usually less stressful than they imagine. Typically, teething occurs over years, and the discomfort with each episode lasts only a few days. Keep reading to learn more about how long baby teething lasts and what you can do to soothe your baby’s teething symptoms.

When Does Teething Begin?

On average, babies start to teethe around 6 months old, but every baby is different. Some may start teething as early as 3 months, while others may not have a full set of primary teeth until they are a few years old. Each new episode of teething typically lasts between 3 and 8 days. When a baby’s teeth are about to break through, the gum covering the emerging teeth often becomes red and noticeably swollen.

How Long Does Baby Teething Last?

All in, the teething process plays out in stages rather than as one continuous ordeal, so your baby won’t be uncomfortable the entire time. Instead, expect it to come and go in short bursts as each new tooth emerges, with calmer stretches in between until the full set is in.

For most babies, the first teeth you’ll see are the bottom front teeth, the lower central incisors. They continue to gradually cut more teeth until they are almost three, when their last set of molars comes in.

While a baby is teething, they may experience the following symptoms:

• Appetite changes
• Fussiness or irritability
• Disrupted sleep
• Drooling
• Rashes around the mouth
• Increased interest in chewing or gnawing 
• Elevated body temperature
• Rubbing at their mouth and cheeks and ear pulling
• Swollen, red gums

Soothing the Symptoms of Teething

While you can’t prevent teething symptoms, there are things you can do to make your baby more comfortable during the process. Some of the best ways to soothe the symptoms of teething include:

• Wear Your Baby: You may use a baby carrier when you are out and about, but keeping your baby close in a carrier, even when you are home, can provide extra comfort and security to help alleviate teething symptoms. The soothing motion of your body as you carry your baby can also help ensure they get enough sleep.
• Add a Bib: Excessive drooling can trap moisture and expose the tender skin around the mouth, cheeks, and chin to extra bacteria, leading to uncomfortable rashes. Adding a soft, absorbent bib to your baby’s everyday outfits to wipe away drool can help keep their skin clean and dry.
• Apply a Soothing Cream or Ointment: Another way to relieve teething-related rashes is to apply a baby-safe barrier cream or ointment around their mouth and on their cheeks. Your child’s pediatrician or dentist can suggest products that are safe if inadvertently digested in tiny amounts.
• Provide Teething Toys: Baby-friendly teething toys are one of the most effective ways to satisfy a baby’s urge to chew or gnaw as their teeth come in. Look for toys made of natural rubber or BPA-free silicone; toys with nubby textures; and toys that can be safely chilled to provide additional relief.
• Massage Their Gums: Massaging sore gums with a clean finger or damp washcloth for a few minutes can help temporarily counteract any uncomfortable pressure caused by teething. While topical numbing gels may seem like an easy solution, manual massage is much safer and more effective.

If your efforts to soothe your baby while they teethe are still not helping, you may want to consider a baby-safe pain reliever, like acetaminophen. You should consult your baby’s pediatrician first to ensure you are giving your baby the correct dosage for their age and weight.

Frequently Asked Questions: What Else Should I Know About Teething?

Q: Does teething cause fevers?

A: The minor gum irritation that accompanies teething can raise a baby’s body temperature slightly, but a fever of 100.4°F or above is the sign of an unrelated viral or bacterial illness that should be diagnosed by a pediatrician.

Q: How do you tell the difference between cold symptoms and teething symptoms?

A: It can be tough to tell the difference because they both can cause similar symptoms initially, but it’s usually a cold or other respiratory illness if symptoms worsen and/ or linger.

Q: At what age is teething at its worst?

A:  While the discomfort of teething is typically manageable and short-lived, the emergence of large molars, usually when babies are between 25-33 months, can be more painful than smaller front or lateral teeth.

Q: Is the emergence of permanent teeth as uncomfortable as primary teeth?

A: Generally, the emergence of permanent teeth is less uncomfortable than primary teeth, but it may be that older children are better able to cope with tooth-related discomfort. Because children’s gums may be less sensitive when they are older, even the emergence of bigger teeth, like permanent back molars, may cause only mild symptoms, like dull pressure or itchy gums.

Q: What should I do after all my baby’s teeth have come in?

A: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that children start to visit the dentist within six months of the appearance of their first tooth, or by their first birthday if they have yet to start teething. Starting dental visits early in your baby’s life helps ensure that each and every tooth is healthy and properly aligned as it emerges and fills out their beautiful smile.

While teething can be uncomfortable for your baby and stressful for you, it is usually manageable and short-lived. Like their first step and their first word, a baby’s first tooth is an important milestone in their young life.

Have questions about your baby’s teething timeline? Schedule an appointment at Premier Pediatric Dentistry in Miami, FL, and our team will be happy to answer your questions and check on your baby’s growing smile.