👶 What Are the Symptoms of Teething in Babies?
Introduction: Tiny Teeth, Big Changes
Your baby’s first tooth is like magic! However, the truth is that the process does not always feel magical. Teething is one of the phases of growth that every parent comes to understand with surprise. Your baby will seem to be very happy, smiling and having naps, and the next moment they will be drooling loads, sticking their fingers in their mouths, and waking up every hour, especially at night.
Despite the natural character of teething, it is also the source of many myths and misunderstandings. Are fever and teething related? Is it a problem if your child deviates from the prescribed order of tooth growth? And which methods are the best to soothe them down without the usage of old or dangerous methods?
This teething guide is intended to provide the parents with a solution to any questions that they have, and it offers advice on the symptoms that characterize your baby’s teething period. Besides, the article will tell you why having good dental health starts earlier even than parents usually think and how a baby’s health will lead to a healthy baby smile that can lead to a perfect Hollywood Smile when that baby becomes an adult, more so with the help of Lema Dental Clinic in Istanbul, Turkey.
How Does Teething Progress in Babies?
Normally, the teething process starts between 4 and 7 months of a baby’s life, but some may appear as early as 3 months, while others may not appear until much later. While the first tooth can emerge as late as 12 to 14 months, this can also be a normal sign.
- The usual sequence of teething is as follows:
- 6 months – Bottom central incisors (the two lower front teeth)
- 8 months – Top central incisors
- 10 months – Top lateral incisors
- 12 months – Bottom lateral incisors
- 14–16 months – First molars
- 16–20 months – Canines (pointy teeth)
- 20–30 months – Second molars
- By age 3, most children will have all 20 primary (baby) teeth.
Teething is a slow process that usually stretches over several months, not all at once. The time gaps between the episodes might be longer, even for weeks or months. In the teething process, the first erupted teeth are generally a source of intense pain, while some of the back teeth (for instance, the molars) are often even more affected because they are larger.
What Are the Signs of Teething in Babies?
As commonly said, no two babies’ teething symptoms are the same. However, there are certain signals that, in most cases, confirm a baby is teething. These are the most frequent ones:
1. Heavy Drooling
It is possible that all of a sudden, your child starts drooling like a water geyser. Teething stimulates saliva production, so you will definitely be changing bibs several times and wiping your baby’s mouth often. A rash could appear if the wetness is there constantly around the mouth.
2. Chewing Everything in Sight
Teething infants tend to gnaw! Most of the objects are chewed on, be it teething rings, your phone case, or the children’s hands, if it all fits in their mouths. Chewing helps relieve pressure below the gum line.
3. Red or Swollen Gums
If your baby’s gums are gently felt with your finger, you could detect that there is a hard lump or swollen portion of the gum, which is a sure sign that the tooth is just a matter of time before it comes out.
4. Crankiness and Fussiness
Pain felt during teething may trigger many mood variations. Your lively, happy baby could become moody, fussy, or even crying for no apparent reason.
5. Interrupted Sleep
Those babies who were once sleeping all through the night may make the night seem longer by their frequent waking or have problems with daytime naps. Teething is also not confined to night.
6. Loss of Appetite
Some children might be refusing to eat solid food by either crying or being agitated. Others might attempt to nurse constantly just because they need warmth.
7. Mild Fever or Warm Cheeks
It is a fact that when teething occurs, it may cause a high temperature, but the temperature spike should not be high. A high fever and the symptoms that follow can be recognized in the next section.
8. Rubbing Ears or Cheeks
Pain can also move to the ears or jaw from a tooth, causing babies to pull at their ears or rub their faces.
Can Teething Babies Get a Fever?
This is the point at which the confusion commences. Some parents would positively declare that their child had a fever during teething, but as it is shown in investigations, it is not so. Teething can be the reason for a very low temperatur,e which is usually not more than 38°C (100.4°F).
Yet if your baby has:
- A high fever
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cough or runny nose
- A rash that spreads beyond the chin
…then the cause is not teething. These are signs that the disease is viral or bacterial, and you should talk to your pediatrician immediately.
How to Soothe Teething Symptoms of Children?
Soothing a baby through teething is not as hard as it may seem; all it takes is some patience, comfort, and, actually, a few smart tools.
Reducing the Cold
Put a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, spoon, or a damp cloth that is not too wet on the gums to bring a gentle and slow feeling of cold with a little numbing effect to the baby’s discomfort.
Mild Gum Massage
Wash your finger and make gentle, circular motions on both sides of the baby’s jaws. This action provides support to the outward pressure of the gums and helps to relieve the pain.
Teething Toys
Buy teethers that are made of BPA-free silicone so that are baby can chew safely for your child. Some toys can even provide slight vibrations to soothe the young one some more.
Distraction and Cuddles
Your comforting presence may be the best relief for your baby. Sit together, hum melodies, or walk outside to make your baby completely forget the pain-causing unease.
Pain Medication
In case of severe experiences, it is allowed to make use of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen only if a medical expert suggests that. Never give aspirin, including those homeopathic gels with benzocaine.
How Long Does The Process of Teething in Babies Last?
Although individual teeth may take a week to erupt, the entire eruption process lasts for more than two years.
Here’s a rule of thumb:
- The first signs, such as slobbering and crying, can manifest 3–5 days before the eruption of the tooth.
- Usually, after the tooth has erupted, the symptoms are relieved in no time.
- The second molars, which are the last to grow through, are generally the cause of discomfort due to their great size.
Keep in mind that teething does not always lead to a major episode. Some teeth come in very quietly without anyone noticing.
Why Early Dental Care Is Essential (Even for Baby Teeth)
It’s a prevalent misconception that there is no need to care for baby teeth only because, in any case, they will fall out. But saying so is a dangerous misconception. Decayed milk teeth are not only a source of infection but can also cause a lot of pain, speech problems, and adult teeth to grow unevenly.
If you decide to maintain dental health in your child from the beginning, you are also establishing the basis of the child’s future beautiful smile. In addition to this, pediatric dentists can advise you about:
- The right way to clean your teeth
- Fluoride safety
- Pacifier and thumb-sucking habits
- Early cavity prevention
In the presence of the Lema Dental Clinic team in Istanbul, it is clear to all of us that any successful adult smile comes from the very beginning. Thus, our aim and dedication are to assist families to grow the health of these little teeth with no pain—simply because lovely and firm smiles do not come accidentally.
Final Thoughts: Smile Starts Early at Lema Dental Clinic
The teething period is undeniably a tough one. However, it is also a signal of growth, development, and cute milestones. From the first tiny tooth to the entire baby smile, every phase counts in the dental journey of your child.
At one of the most prestigious clinics, the Lema Dental Clinic, located in Istanbul, Turkey, not only are we experts in Hollywood Smile transformations, but we are also aware that every lovely smile begins with proactive care. Do you need baby oral hygiene tips, or are you just imagining the forever glorious smiles on your children’s faces? Always remember that our staff is here to help you, at every step, every tooth, every smile.
🦷✨ Lema Dental Clinic – A lifetime of beauty through one tiny tooth.
FAQ: What Are the Symptoms of Teething in Babies?
By the age of three years, most kids get all their baby teeth. Nevertheless, it is advisable to see a pediatric dentist if no tooth breakthrough is experienced by 18 months.
Here, the answer is in the affirmative. Generally, although most children get their first teeth in a certain order, some acquire teeth that come out in a different order. It mainly does not cause any problems, although an observation is recommended.
It’s recommended that you choose a soft-bristled baby toothbrush and use the appropriate small size of toothpaste, containing fluoride, which should be as tiny as a grain of rice. Brush twice a day.
When the first few teeth are coming through, fussiness related to teething generally only lasts for a few days. However, the eruption of molars might cause some babies to be anxious for a longer period.
With the presence of an elevated area of the gum, it will generally take 1-7 days for the top part to become evident. On account of the fact that the molars are bigger, they are certainly going to take longer.
