Teething can be a tough time — not just for babies, but for parents too. As a family and pediatric dental practice, we understand how important it is to know what’s normal, what helps, and when to ask for help. In this post, we’ll walk through the most common teething milestones and safe remedies, so you can feel more confident and supported during this exciting (and sometimes challenging) stage.
If you ever have questions or concerns about your baby’s oral health, we’re just a phone call away at 336-998-5437.
Understanding Teething Milestones by Age
Let’s start with the basics. When do babies get their first tooth? For most little ones, the first tooth appears around 6 months of age — usually one of the bottom front teeth (central incisors). That said, every child is different. Some may start teething as early as 3 months, while others might not get their first tooth until closer to 12 months.
Here’s a quick baby teething timeline:
- 6–10 months: Central incisors (bottom, then top)
- 8–13 months: Lateral incisors
- 13–19 months: First molars
- 16–23 months: Canines (cuspids)
- 23–33 months: Second molars
By age 3, most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth. These baby teeth are important — they help with speech development, nutrition, and guide the spacing for adult teeth down the road.
Signs Your Baby Is Teething
How can you tell if your baby is teething? The signs of teething in infants can vary, but here are some common ones:
- Extra drooling (hello, soaked onesies!)
- Fussiness or irritability
- Swollen gums
- Chewing on fingers, toys, or anything they can grab
- Disrupted sleep or changes in eating
- A slightly elevated temperature (but not a true fever)
If you’re noticing any of these signs, chances are those tiny teeth are getting ready to pop through.
Safe and Soothing Teething Remedies
We know it’s hard to see your baby in discomfort — and even harder to sort through the flood of advice online. That’s why we want to share a few safe teething remedies for babies that really work (and what to avoid).
Here are our go-to tips:
- Offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) washcloth or best teething toys for infants
- Gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger
- Try chilled silicone or rubber teething rings — just be sure they’re BPA-free and baby-safe
- Provide natural teething biscuits for older infants who are already eating solids (always supervise closely)
- Avoid topical numbing gels, teething tablets with belladonna, or teething necklaces — they can pose serious risks
When in doubt, how to soothe teething pain naturally usually comes down to cold pressure, comfort, and lots of snuggles.
When to Call a Professional About Your Baby’s Teeth
Sometimes, teething symptoms can overlap with other health concerns. Here’s when we recommend giving us a call:
- Your baby has a fever above 100.4°F (teething shouldn’t cause high fever)
- Gums look swollen or infected
- No teeth have appeared by 18 months
- You notice unusual spacing or crowding as teeth come in
- Your baby is consistently in pain despite using safe remedies
We’re here to help, whether you need peace of mind or a hands-on look at what’s going on. You don’t have to wait until there’s a problem — we encourage you to schedule your baby’s first dental visit by age one or within six months of their first tooth.
Why Families Choose Southern Dental
At Southern Dental Family and Pediatric Dentistry, we treat every child like one of our own. Our team is experienced in working with young patients — from their very first dental appointment through all stages of development.
We believe in building trust with both parents and kids, so you feel informed and empowered every step of the way. We’ll guide you through best practices for early oral health, from choosing the right toothbrush to using fluoride toothpaste safely in babies.
Our offices are designed to be welcoming and kid-friendly, and our team is trained to make even the smallest patients feel at ease. Whether it’s offering pediatric dentist advice for teething or helping you create a long-term plan for your child’s dental care, we’re proud to be a partner in your family’s health.
Support for Every Step of Teething
From those first tiny teeth to the full set of baby molars, teething is a big journey — but you don’t have to go through it alone. Understanding teething milestones and safe remedies helps you keep your baby happy and healthy, and we’re always here to provide support and answers along the way.
Call us today at 336-998-5437 to schedule your baby’s first dental visit or speak with a member of our pediatric dental team. We’d love to meet you and your little one!