Blog Summary: Is your little one suddenly chewing on everything in sight and drooling more than usual? Teething might be the culprit! This guide provides everything you need to know about your baby’s first tooth, including when it’s likely to appear and how to recognize the common signs of teething. We’ll also cover when to seek professional advice. Get ready to navigate this exciting milestone with confidence!
Is your little one crying all the time or putting everything in their mouth? Their first tooth might be on the way. Teething can be a painful process for little ones, but like all periods of intense growth, it eventually results in something good in the end.
That being said, the time period around when your baby’s first tooth comes in isn’t always a cakewalk. Here’s what you need to know.
When Do Babies Get Their First Tooth?
Baby teeth “come in” or erupt at different stages, but as the American Dental Association notes, the first baby teeth to come in are the lower central incisors, and that generally happens around 6-10 months of age.
As the UK’s National Health System notes, however, teething, which is the process of a baby tooth pushing through the gums, can happen anytime between 4-12 months of age.
That being said, it’s possible that the first tooth for your baby could come in well before or after the 6-month mark. That’s why it can be helpful to understand common signs of teething.
5 Signs Your Baby’s First Tooth Might Be on the Way
According to Colgate, here are five of the most common signs that your little one might be teething and their first tooth might be ready to crop up at any moment:
- Gumming and Gnawing: It’s normal for babies to put things in their mouths while exploring the world around them, but if you see them doing this more often than usual along with an increased appetite for chewing, gnawing, and rubbing on their gums it could be that all of this is happening less due to a drive to explore and more due to a drive to soothe tooth and gum pain due to teething.
- Rivers of Drool: Teething can trigger excessive drooling ─ sometimes enough to soak through their clothes. In these instances, moisture-related rashes can develop on the cheeks and chin. So try to keep your little one dry by cleaning up excess drool when you notice it and changing outfits as needed.
- Cranky and Tired: Teething can be extremely uncomfortable, so it’s natural for your baby to be a bit fussier or more irritable than usual. Extra cuddles and comfort can go a long way during this time.
- Sleepless Nights: If your baby, who once slept like a champ, is suddenly waking up more frequently or resisting naps, teething might be the reason. After all, who likes sore gums?
- Eating Less: If your little one seems less interested in nursing or eating solids lately, it could be a sign that their gums are bothering them. If you’re worried about their food intake and growth, reach out to your pediatrician.
How to Soothe a Teething Baby
Teething babies might seem inconsolable, but there are a number of things you can do to help placate them, according to the ADA, including:
- Rubbing their gums with a clean finger
- Rubbing their gums with a cool spoon
- Rubbing their gums with a moist gauze pad
- Using teethers made with solid rubber (not ones that are liquid-filled or easily breakable)
If your baby is older than 1, the May Clinic recommends rubbing their gums with an ice cube wrapped in gauze.
The FDA also cautions against using benzocaine products, saying “Benzocaine oral drug products should only be used in adults and children 2 years and older if they contain certain warnings on the drug label. These products carry serious risks and provide little to no benefits for treating oral pain, including sore gums in infants due to teething.”
When to See a Dentist for Teething Issues
Call a trusted pediatric dentist if your little one:
- Seems abnormally cranky or cries a lot
- Seems to have trouble sleeping
- Seems to have trouble eating or drinking
- Gets diarrhea
- Has a fever
Let The Super Dentists Help with Your Baby
Most dentists recommend that you schedule your little one’s first dental appointment as soon as the first baby teeth erupt or no later than their first birthday. In most cases, these visits involve a brief dental exam but for children around 1 year old, a dental cleaning may also be performed.
Ready to start your child’s journey to a lifetime of healthy smiles? Schedule their first dental visit with The Super Dentists today and get expert guidance every step of the way.