Teething Symptoms In Babies:Signs, Relief and When to Worry

Teething Symptoms in Babies: Signs, Relief and When to Worry

Teething is a normal part of a baby’s development. It occurs when a baby’s first teeth begin to emerge through the gums. Although teething is a natural process, it can cause temporary gum discomfort, increased drooling, and a desire to chew on objects.

Recognizing the common teething symptoms in babies can help parents provide appropriate comfort and identify symptoms that may indicate an illness rather than teething. Most babies can be managed with simple, safe measures at home.

However, teething should not be used to explain significant fever, persistent diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or a baby who appears seriously unwell. These symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.

What Is Teething?

Teething is the process by which a baby’s primary teeth, also called milk teeth or baby teeth, emerge through the gums. The process usually begins during infancy and continues until most or all 20 primary teeth have appeared.

The timing varies from one child to another. Some babies develop their first tooth at around four months, while others may not have a tooth until they are 12 months old or later.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Most babies develop their first tooth at approximately six months of age, although the timing can vary considerably. The lower front teeth commonly appear first, followed by the upper front teeth.

Typical Teething Timeline

4–7 months: Many babies begin developing their first teeth during this period, although earlier or later eruption can occur.
6–10 months: The lower central incisors commonly appear.
8–12 months: The upper central incisors often emerge.
9–16 months: Other front teeth may appear.
13–19 months: The first molars commonly emerge.
16–23 months: Canine teeth may appear.
23–33 months: The second molars commonly emerge.

These ages are approximate. A healthy baby may develop teeth earlier or later than the typical timeline. If you are concerned that your baby’s teeth are developing unusually late, discuss this with a healthcare professional or pediatric dentist.

What Are the Common Teething Symptoms in Babies?

The common teething symptoms in babies are usually mild and temporary. Some babies show several symptoms, while others develop their teeth with very little discomfort.

1. Increased Drooling

One of the most noticeable signs of teething is increased saliva production. A baby’s chin, clothing, or bib may become wet more frequently than usual.

Drooling is common during infancy and does not necessarily mean a tooth is about to appear. Gently wiping the baby’s chin and using a soft bib can help prevent skin irritation.

2. Swollen or Tender Gums

The gums around an emerging tooth may appear swollen, slightly red, or tender. The baby may become uncomfortable when the affected area is touched.

A clean finger can be used to gently massage the gums to provide temporary relief. Wash your hands before touching the baby’s mouth.

3. Chewing or Biting Objects

Babies who are teething often want to chew on their fingers, toys, or other objects. Chewing may provide counter-pressure that temporarily relieves gum discomfort.

Offer an age-appropriate teething ring that is safe, intact, and easy to clean. Avoid small objects that could cause choking.

4. Irritability and Restlessness

Some babies become more irritable, clingy, or restless while a tooth is emerging. They may cry more than usual or need additional comforting.

However, persistent or unusual crying should not automatically be attributed to teething. Other causes of discomfort, including infection, should be considered when symptoms are severe or prolonged.

5. Changes in Sleep

Gum discomfort may temporarily disturb a baby’s sleep. The baby may wake more frequently or have difficulty settling.

Maintain the usual bedtime routine and provide gentle comfort. If sleep disruption occurs alongside fever, poor feeding, breathing difficulties, or other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice.

6. Rubbing the Cheeks or Ears

Some babies rub their cheeks or pull at their ears while teething. Discomfort from emerging teeth may sometimes be felt around the jaw and nearby areas.

However, ear pulling can also occur with an ear infection. If the baby has fever, persistent crying, ear discharge, or significant discomfort, arrange a medical assessment.

7. Temporary Changes in Feeding

A baby with tender gums may temporarily become less interested in feeding or may stop feeding sooner than usual. Sucking or chewing can sometimes make the gums uncomfortable.

Continue offering breast milk or the baby’s usual age-appropriate feeds. A baby who repeatedly refuses feeds, has fewer wet diapers, or appears weak needs prompt assessment because these are not symptoms to dismiss as ordinary teething.

8. A Mild Rash Around the Mouth

Excessive drooling can irritate the skin around the mouth, chin, and neck. This may produce a mild red rash.

Gently pat the skin dry and avoid rubbing it. If necessary, a suitable protective barrier product can be used on the affected external skin. Seek advice if the rash becomes severe, spreads, develops blisters, or appears infected.

Can Teething Cause Fever or Diarrhea?

Parents sometimes notice fever, loose stools, or other symptoms around the time a baby’s teeth emerge. However, these symptoms should not automatically be attributed to teething.

Teething and Fever

Teething may coincide with a slight rise in body temperature, but a true fever should not be assumed to be caused by emerging teeth. A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is considered a fever.

A baby younger than three months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical assessment. Older babies with fever should also be assessed according to their age, general condition, and accompanying symptoms.

Teething and Diarrhea

Diarrhea is not an established symptom of teething. Babies may put more objects into their mouths during this period, increasing opportunities for exposure to germs.

If a baby develops repeated watery stools, vomiting, blood in the stool, reduced urination, or signs of dehydration, seek medical advice rather than assuming the symptoms are caused by teething.

How to Relieve Teething Discomfort Safely

Most babies with teething discomfort do not need medication. Simple measures can often provide relief.

1. Gently Massage the Gums

Wash your hands thoroughly and gently rub the baby’s gums with a clean finger. Apply light pressure to the tender area without causing injury.

2. Use a Chilled Teething Ring

A clean, solid teething ring cooled in the refrigerator may soothe sore gums. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and supervise the baby while using it.

Do not freeze a teething ring. A frozen object can become excessively hard and injure the baby’s gums.

3. Offer a Clean, Damp, Cool Cloth

A clean cloth cooled in the refrigerator may provide temporary comfort when the baby chews on it under close supervision. Remove it if it begins to break apart or poses a choking risk.

4. Continue Breastfeeding and Appropriate Feeding

Continue breastfeeding or the baby’s usual milk feeds. If the baby has started complementary feeding, offer suitable age-appropriate foods with a safe texture.

Never leave a baby unattended with food or objects that could cause choking.

5. Provide Gentle Comfort

Holding, cuddling, and soothing the baby may help reduce distress. Maintain familiar routines and monitor the baby for symptoms that suggest illness rather than teething alone.

What Should You Avoid When a Baby Is Teething?

Some traditional teething remedies can be dangerous. Choose methods that relieve discomfort without introducing choking, poisoning, or injury risks.

Teething necklaces and bracelets: Avoid amber necklaces and other teething jewellery because they can cause strangulation or choking.
Frozen teething objects: Avoid objects that become extremely hard when frozen because they can injure the gums.
Teething gels containing benzocaine: These can cause serious adverse effects in young children and should not be used for infant teething.
Products containing lidocaine: Do not use oral lidocaine products for teething unless specifically directed by an appropriate specialist in a clearly indicated medical situation.
Homeopathic teething tablets or gels: Avoid these products because their safety and effectiveness are not reliably established.
Honey for babies younger than 12 months: Do not give honey because of the risk of infant botulism.
Unprescribed medicines: Do not give medicines or herbal preparations without confirming that they are appropriate for the baby’s age and weight.

Never apply alcohol, aspirin, or other potentially harmful substances directly to a baby’s gums.

Can You Give Medicine for Teething Pain?

Most teething discomfort can be managed without medicine. If the baby appears to be in significant pain, ask a qualified healthcare professional about an age-appropriate pain reliever and the correct dose based on the baby’s weight.

Paracetamol may be appropriate for some babies when correctly dosed. However, the baby’s age, weight, medical history, and the product concentration must be considered. Do not guess the dose.

Ibuprofen has age restrictions and may be unsuitable for babies who are dehydrated or have certain medical conditions. Obtain professional advice before giving it to a young infant.

Never give aspirin to a child unless it has been specifically prescribed by a specialist for a particular medical condition.

When Should You Worry About a Teething Baby?

Although teething is usually harmless, some symptoms indicate that the baby may have another illness and needs medical assessment.

Seek urgent medical care if your baby has any of the following:

A temperature of 38°C or higher in a baby younger than three months.
Difficulty breathing, seizures, or reduced consciousness.
Unusual sleepiness, marked weakness, or difficulty waking.
Refusal to feed or repeated inability to keep feeds down.
Significantly fewer wet diapers or other signs of dehydration.
Persistent vomiting or repeated watery diarrhea.
Blood in the stool.
Severe or persistent crying that cannot be explained.
Swelling of the face or mouth, especially with difficulty breathing.

Contact a healthcare professional if symptoms persist, worsen, or do not fit the usual mild pattern of teething.

When Should You Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth?

Begin cleaning your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft, age-appropriate toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.

Brush gently twice daily, including before bedtime. Avoid allowing a baby to fall asleep with a bottle containing milk or other sugary drinks, because prolonged exposure can increase the risk of tooth decay.

Arrange a dental visit when the first tooth appears or by the child’s first birthday, whichever comes first. Early dental care helps parents learn how to protect their child’s developing teeth.

Clinical Perspective for Healthcare Professionals

Teething is generally a clinical diagnosis based on the child’s age, examination of the oral cavity, and the presence of compatible symptoms. Common findings include an emerging tooth, localised gingival tenderness, and increased drooling.

Clinicians should avoid attributing significant systemic symptoms to teething without considering alternative diagnoses. Fever, persistent diarrhea, repeated vomiting, poor feeding, lethargy, and dehydration require appropriate assessment based on the child’s age and clinical condition.

Management focuses on caregiver education, safe non-pharmacological comfort measures, appropriate oral hygiene, and avoidance of potentially harmful teething products. When analgesia is required, the child’s age, weight, contraindications, and the specific medicine formulation should be considered.

Key Takeaways

Most babies develop their first tooth at around six months, but the timing varies.
Common teething symptoms include drooling, tender gums, chewing, and temporary irritability.
Teething should not be used to explain significant fever, persistent diarrhea, or a baby who appears seriously unwell.
Safe relief measures include gentle gum massage and a chilled, non-frozen teething ring.
Avoid teething necklaces, benzocaine gels, unsafe home remedies, and unprescribed medicines.
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears and use a smear of fluoride toothpaste.
Seek medical assessment when symptoms are severe, persistent, or suggest another illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the first signs of teething in babies?

Early signs may include increased drooling, chewing on fingers or toys, tender gums, and mild irritability. Some babies show very few symptoms before a tooth appears.

2. At what age do babies start teething?

Many babies develop their first tooth at around six months, although some begin earlier and others later. The lower front teeth commonly appear first.

3. How long do teething symptoms last?

Discomfort around an individual tooth may last a few days before and after it emerges. Symptoms vary between babies and between teeth. Persistent or severe symptoms should not automatically be attributed to teething.

4. Does teething cause diarrhea?

Diarrhea is not an established symptom of teething. Repeated watery stools can indicate an infection or another illness and may lead to dehydration, so medical advice may be necessary.

5. Can teething cause a high fever?

A high fever should not be attributed to teething. A temperature of 38°C or higher in a baby younger than three months requires urgent medical assessment.

6. What is the safest way to soothe teething pain?

Gently massage the gums with a clean finger or offer a clean, chilled teething ring. Avoid frozen objects, teething jewellery, and numbing gels containing benzocaine.

References

National Health Service (

NH). Baby teething symptoms. https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/

American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Teething: 4 to 7 Months. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Policy on Early Childhood Caries (ECC): Classifications, Consequences, and Preventive Strategies. https://www.aapd.org/research/oral-health-policies–recommendations/

Medical Disclaimer

This article is intended for general health education and does not replace professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. Seek appropriate medical care if a baby develops concerning symptoms or appears seriously unwell.

About Modern Clinical Health

Modern Clinical Health provides accessible health information to help individuals and families understand common health conditions, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. Our content combines practical health education with an emphasis on evidence-informed care and appropriate consultation with qualified healthcare professionals.