One morning, you’re wiping sweet potato off your baby’s chin. The next morning, you’re staring into their open mouth wondering, Is that a little white dot on the gum? It probably is. And welcome to teething.
At Children’s Dental Specialties here in Worcester, we talk with local parents about teething all the time. The sleepless nights. The drool that seems to soak through three bibs an hour. The sudden clinginess from a baby who was perfectly happy yesterday. Here’s what you need to know, and what you can safely do to help.
When Does Teething Actually Start?
Every baby is different, but most get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months. Those bottom front teeth (the central incisors) usually show up first. Then come the top front ones a few months later.
By age 3, most kids have all 20 baby teeth. That sounds like a long road, but the toughest teething is usually the first eight teeth. After that, most parents say things get easier.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething (And What Looks Like Teething But Isn’t)
Real teething signs include:
- Extra drool (sometimes causing a rash on the chin or chest)
- Chewing on fingers, toys, or anything they can reach
- Mild fussiness, especially at night
- Slightly swollen, tender gums
- Pulling at their own ear (same nerve pathway as the jaw)
Here’s what teething does not cause: high fever, diarrhea, or a truly sick-acting baby. If your child has a fever over 101°F or seems really unwell, call your pediatrician. That’s not teething. That’s something else.
Safe Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
Not every teething remedy is safe. In fact, some popular ones can be dangerous. Stick with these methods that pediatric dentists and doctors agree on:
- Cold, not frozen. A wet washcloth twisted and chilled in the fridge works great. Frozen teething rings can be too hard on tender gums. Cold is soothing. Frozen can bruise.
- Solid teething rings. Choose one-piece, solid silicone rings. Avoid liquid-filled ones or those with small parts that could break off.
- Gentle gum massage. Wash your hands well, then use a clean finger to rub your baby’s gums in small circles. This often helps more than you’d expect.
- A clean, cold spoon. Chill a spoon in the fridge (not the freezer) and let your baby gently chew on the back of it. Stay with them the whole time.
What to Avoid Completely
Teething gels with benzocaine (like Orajel) are not recommended for babies. They can cause a rare but serious condition that affects how blood carries oxygen.
Teething tablets or jewelry are also risky. The tablets sometimes contain inconsistent amounts of belladonna, and teething necklaces pose choking and strangulation dangers.
When to Call Us
Most teething discomfort can be managed at home. But if your baby has been teething and still seems miserable, or if you see bluish bumps on the gums (these are normal teething blisters but can worry parents), give us a call.
Also, once that first tooth appears, it’s time to schedule their first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a checkup by age 1 or within six months of that first tooth.
You’ve Got This
Teething is hard. There’s no way around it. But it doesn’t last forever. And our team at Children’s Dental Specialties is right here in Worcester when you need us, whether you have a quick question or it’s time for that first official visit.
Call us at (508) 625-5534. We’ve been helping local families since 1968, and we’d love to help yours too.