Teething Timeline Calculator

The usual order teeth arrive

Most babies get their first tooth somewhere between 4 and 7 months, though the normal range is wide. The typical sequence is:

• 6–10 months: lower central incisors (bottom front two)
• 8–12 months: upper central incisors (top front two)
• 9–13 months: upper lateral incisors (either side of the top front)
• 10–16 months: lower lateral incisors
• 13–19 months: first molars
• 16–23 months: canines
• 23–33 months: second molars

All 20 baby teeth are usually through by around age three. Teeth generally arrive in matching pairs, and the lower ones typically come before the upper.

Considerable variation is normal. Some babies are born with a tooth; others have none at 12 months. If there is still no tooth by around 18 months, mention it to your dentist or GP.

What teething actually causes

Research on teething symptoms is clearer than folk wisdom suggests, and the distinction matters because attributing real illness to teething can delay care.

Commonly associated with teething: increased drooling, chewing and biting on things, mild gum swelling or tenderness, irritability, disrupted sleep, reduced appetite, and a slightly raised temperature — typically under 38°C.

Not caused by teething: fever above 38°C, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash outside the drool area, cough, or congestion. These indicate illness and should be assessed on their own merits rather than dismissed as teething.

Studies tracking symptoms daily have generally found teething effects to be real but mild and short-lived — typically the day before and the day a tooth emerges.

What helps

Cold pressure is the most consistently effective approach. A chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a cold clean flannel to chew, or a chilled spoon. Frozen items can damage tender gums.

Gum massage with a clean finger provides counter-pressure that many babies find relieving.

Chilled soft foods for babies already on solids — cold yoghurt or purée.

Managing drool matters more than people expect. Constant wetness causes a rash around the chin and neck. Patting dry regularly and using a barrier cream helps.

Pain relief — infant paracetamol or ibuprofen at the correct dose for weight and age can be appropriate for genuine discomfort. Check with your pharmacist or GP if unsure.

What to avoid

Several traditional remedies are now advised against on safety grounds:

• Amber teething necklaces — pose strangulation and choking risks, with no evidence of benefit. Regulators in several countries have issued warnings.
• Teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine — associated with rare but serious effects in infants, and discouraged by several regulators.
• Homeopathic teething tablets — some products have been recalled after inconsistent ingredient levels were found.
• Frozen items — too hard for tender gums.
• Rubbing alcohol on the gums — unsafe.

Caring for new teeth

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft infant brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste — a grain of rice for under-threes — twice a day, including before bed.

Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. Prolonged contact between sugars and teeth overnight is the main cause of early childhood tooth decay.

Most dental guidance suggests a first dental visit by around the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. Baby teeth matter — they hold space for adult teeth and affect speech and eating.

When to seek advice

Contact your GP if your baby has a fever above 38°C, seems genuinely unwell, has diarrhoea or vomiting, or is inconsolable. These are not teething, and treating them as such risks missing something that needs treatment.

Also seek advice if there are no teeth by around 18 months, if teeth appear discoloured or misshapen, or if gums are significantly swollen, bleeding, or show white or dark patches.

Common Questions