CHILDREN AND TEEN CARE

When Do Babies Start Teething?

By Temma Ehrenfeld @temmaehrenfeld
 | 
February 19, 2018
618901984

Parents tend to worry about how their children are developing and ask doctors “When do babies start teething?” But you may get the best answer from your own mother.

The first time your baby crawls, walks, talks — or sprouts a tooth — are all moments to savor, signs of nature doing its thing.

When do babies start teething?

Parents like to have timetables, to be sure their children are healthy and developing as they should. Teeth most commonly show up between the ages of four and six months.

Sadly, the first tooth may show up just about the time you’ve begun to get Baby sleeping through the night! So if her teeth come a little later, and you get some sleep, enjoy your rest.

 

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The usual pattern: the two bottom front teeth, or central incisors, come first; then the four upper front teeth, or central and lateral incisors. These teeth are thinner, so they tend to cause less pain.

Around Baby's first birthday, the molars in the back of the mouth begin to come through, followed by the pointed canines. By around age 2, you might see the second pair of molars.

But don’t be worried if your baby’s teeth come a little earlier or later than usual. You might ask your mother or mother-in-law (grand-dads, too) since teeth patterns are inherited from both parents.

If Dad, especially, was prone to cavities or other teeth issues, your little one runs that risk. Expect to see at least one tooth by your baby’s first birthday and a full set of baby teeth by before the age of three.

If teething causes misery, console yourself by remembering what teeth do. Those tiny teeth will allow your baby to move beyond pureed food, chewing meat or beans and even biting into a plum. Biting and chewing build the muscles of the jaw, cheeks, tongue, and lips — setting Baby up for talking. Later sounds like “f,” “th,” and “sh” require the teeth.

 

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Updated:  

February 27, 2020

Reviewed By:  

Janet O’Dell, RN