Teething is a big part of your baby’s first years, affecting sleep, temperament, and often everything in between. For new parents, it can be a confusing time, and they may feel at a loss knowing what to expect.
Understanding how babies’ teeth develop can help take away the guesswork. It can help you to provide the most effective relief when it is needed.
Please be aware that these are general guidelines. Not every child develops at the same rate.
Understanding Baby Teething Development
Before trying to understand the teething timeline, it is good to have a brief understanding of how the teeth themselves are formed.
The Biological Process of Tooth Formation
The tooth buds begin to develop in the womb, often as early as 6 weeks pregnant. The 20 tooth buds develop in the jawbone, ready to erupt when the baby is older.
At about 6 months, the teeth usually start to erupt through the gumline. The first to erupt are the lower front incisors. This process can cause sore gums. You can prepare the gums using specialized, gentle products like those in our Teething Relief Collection.
Normal Age Ranges for Teething
Although every child follows their own timeline, the majority will see their first tooth eruption between 4 and 7 months. This can be affected by a number of factors, including genes. Some babies are even born with teeth, while others don’t have any come through until 18 months.
Complete Baby Teething Timeline
Once the first teeth begin to appear, it is often not long before you start to see the rest follow suit. You can then expect a number of teething milestones in the first year.
First Year Teething Milestones
Baby teeth tend to come through in the same order, making it easier for parents to prepare and know what to look out for. However, not all babies will follow this pattern, so don’t panic if your baby is different.
- 4-7 months: Bottom central incisors usually first to appear.
- 6-8 months: Top central incisors follow the bottom teeth.
- 9-11 months: Top lateral incisors help to widen the smile.
- 10-12 months: Bottom lateral incisors to complete the front teeth.
Once you know where to look, you should check your baby’s gums frequently for any soreness or redness. Using Dr. Talbot's Soothing Tablets for Teething is a safe way to ease sore and inflamed gums.
Recognizing Early Teething Symptoms
If your baby is drooling more or is extra fussy, it could mean that teething is starting to begin. These symptoms can appear 2–3 months before the first tooth appears. The gums may appear swollen and sensitive, and white bumps can be visible before the tooth breaks through.
You might also find that their eating pattern changes or their sleep is disrupted. If your baby is unsettled and congested at night, Dr. Talbot's Infant Night Time Cold + Mucus Relief can offer relief.
Second Year Teething Progression
We often think about small babies when we talk about teething, but it actually lasts well into their second and sometimes third year. In their second year, you can expect the following milestones:
- 13-19 months: First molars. These have a large surface area to break through, so they cause more discomfort.
- 16-22 months: Canines. These are the sharpest and often the most painful.
- 23-33 months: Second molars. These are the final teeth to come through and can cause significant discomfort. When these come through, your child should have 20 teeth in total.
The second year usually sees more teething discomfort, which may require stronger pain relief. Dr. Talbot's Infant Pain + Fever Relief offers effective yet safe comfort for teething pain. As with the first year timeline, this is just a general guide.
This timeline represents average ranges. Every baby is unique, and variations are normal. Consult your pediatrician with any concerns about your baby's teething development.
Managing Discomfort During Later Teething Stages
You may find that as your child grows into a toddler, the comfort and relief measures you used for teething no longer have the same effect. This could be because they require stronger pain relief, needing more age-appropriate remedies.
The later teeth also usually cause more significant pain, needing a different approach. With the molars, you can also see different symptoms in your toddler. They may become more irritable or pull their ears. This is because the back of their mouth hurts, which they can’t quite understand as different from their ear. Applying Dr. Talbot's Teething Gel to sore gums can provide instant relief.
Beyond Primary Teeth
Once your toddler’s teeth have erupted, you should offer continued dental care. Between the ages of 3 and 6, it is important to maintain the primary teeth. It is the ideal time to teach them good dental habits, including good brushing habits and regular dental checkups. When they are around 4 to 6 years old, you may start to see early signs of their primary teeth getting loose.
Special Considerations in Teething Timeline
As with any child development timeline, not every child will reach the same points at the same time. Premature babies often follow slightly different timelines, and you should use their corrected age instead. There are certain conditions that can delay teething, as nutrition also can have an effect. If you are concerned that your child’s teething is delayed or occurring in a different order, speak to your dentist.
Early or late teething doesn't indicate intelligence or developmental issues. Genetics plays the most important role in teething timing.
Care Guidance Throughout the Teething Journey
Dental care is incredibly important throughout your child’s teething journey. It will not only help them develop healthy teeth, but also teach them good oral hygiene for the rest of their life.
As soon as they begin to show signs of teething, you should use a gentle brush to clean their gums. This can then be adjusted as their teeth erupt. Teething toys can also offer safe relief for sore gums. Regular dental check-ups will also help them become familiar with the dentist, as well as track oral development. Dr. Talbot’s Oral Collection contains safe products that offer relief and support on your teething journey.
Schedule your baby's first dental visit by age 1 or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first.
Teething can be a challenging time for any parent. Knowing what to expect at each stage can make a massive difference. Understanding this also means you can give your baby the best relief and comfort, which can help reduce those sleepless nights.
For more help and advice, make sure you check out our Mom Blog and Wellness Blog.
5 Essential FAQs
When should my baby's first tooth appear?
This varies between babies, but as a general rule, the first tooth appears between 4 and 7 months. If your baby shows no signs of teeth at this point, don’t panic! If they still haven’t started teething by 18 months, it is recommended that you speak to a dental professional.
Is it normal for my 13-month-old to have no teeth yet?
All children follow their own timelines, so some babies won’t have teeth by 13 months. If there are still no signs by 18 months, seek advice from a professional.
Do babies' teeth come in a specific order?
Yes, generally speaking, the first teeth to erupt are the bottom central incisors. These are followed by the top central incisors and the top lateral incisors. The bottom lateral incisors complete the front teeth. The second year usually sees the molars, canines, and second molars coming through. If you are concerned that your baby’s teeth are coming through in the wrong order, consult your dentist.
Can teething start at 3 months?
Yes, teething can begin at any time. Some babies are even born with teeth.
How long does each teething phase last?
This can vary wildly between babies, but generally, you can expect 2-3 days per tooth.