Teething symptoms usually begin a few days before a tooth breaks through the gum. Most babies cut their first tooth at around six months. This guide explains which changes are normal and how long teething symptoms last. Finally, it shows which signs need a GP rather than a teething ring.
Teething Symptoms: What Should Parents Look Out For?
Red, swollen gums, extra dribbling and chewing on fingers or toys top the list. Many babies turn grumpy, wake more often or rub their ears. A flushed cheek and a slightly raised temperature below 38°C can appear too. Still, teething symptoms vary widely, and some teeth arrive with no fuss at all.
What do teething gums look like?
The gum over an erupting tooth usually looks puffy and redder than the rest. You may even spot the white edge of the tooth under the surface. Sometimes a soft, bluish swelling forms on top. This eruption cyst normally settles once the tooth breaks through.
- Tooth eruption
- The movement of a tooth through the gum into the mouth; the medical term for teething.
- Primary teeth
- The first set of 20 teeth, known as baby or milk teeth.
- Eruption cyst
- A soft, bluish swelling over a tooth that is about to come through; usually harmless.
- Drool rash
- Mild redness on the chin, cheeks or neck caused by skin staying wet with saliva.
- Teether
- A firm rubber or silicone ring or toy designed for babies to bite on safely.
When Do Teething Symptoms Start, and Which Teeth Come First?
Teething symptoms often appear at around six months. Yet some babies start before four months, and others only after their first birthday. The two lower front teeth usually lead the way. Upper front teeth follow, then the side incisors, first molars, canines and second molars. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by about three years old.
| Teeth | Typical age | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Lower central incisors | 6–10 months | Usually the first teeth to appear |
| Upper central incisors | 8–12 months | The two front teeth most parents watch for |
| Lateral incisors | 9–16 months | Upper ones tend to come before lower ones |
| First molars | 13–19 months | Arrive before the canines |
| Canines | 16–23 months | Sit between the lateral incisors and first molars |
| Second molars | 23–33 months | Complete the set of 20 baby teeth |
How Long Do Teething Symptoms Last for Each Tooth?
For most teeth, teething symptoms last about a week in total. A US study followed 125 babies. Symptoms built up over the four days before each tooth emerged. They stayed raised on the day itself and for three days afterwards, then faded. So an eight-day window per tooth is a useful rule of thumb.
“The study tracked 125 infants and 475 tooth eruptions. Teething went along with biting, drooling, gum-rubbing, sucking, irritability and wakefulness. Ear-rubbing, a facial rash, less appetite for solids and a mild temperature rise appeared too. Fever above 102°F (38.9°C), congestion, cough, vomiting and looser stools showed no significant link.”
Macknin ML et al. Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study. Pediatrics, 2000.
Keep a short symptom diary
Note the temperature, sleep and feeds for a few days. Add the date each tooth appears, too. Patterns then become obvious, and your GP or dentist can compare them with each tooth.
Is It Teething or Something Else?
High fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and a rash on the body are not teething symptoms. These signs usually point to an infection, which is common at this age. Still, ask your GP or call NHS 111 in the UK if you are unsure.
Which temperatures go beyond normal teething symptoms?
Teething may push temperature up slightly, but it usually stays below 38°C. In the US study, fever above 38.9°C did not feature among the symptoms of teething. So treat 38°C or more as a sign of illness and seek medical advice. For babies under three months, a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical attention.
When to call an ambulance
Call 999 or your local emergency number if your baby struggles to breathe. Blue lips and seizures need the same response. So does a rash that stays visible when you press a glass against it. Very drowsy babies, repeated vomiting and far fewer wet nappies need emergency care as well.
How Can You Ease Teething Symptoms Safely?
Simple, drug-free comfort works for most babies. First, rub the gum gently with a clean finger. Next, offer a chilled teething ring and plenty of cuddles. These steps ease mild teething symptoms, and you can repeat them freely. If pain disrupts sleep or feeding, ask a pharmacist or GP about infant pain relief.
- Wash your hands, then press and rub the sore gum gently for a minute or two.
- Chill a solid teething ring in the fridge, never in the freezer.
- Offer a cool, damp flannel to chew, and stay close.
- Wipe dribble from the chin and neck often to prevent drool rash.
- Give soft, cool foods such as plain yoghurt once your baby has started solids.
- Skip bedtime bottles of milk or juice; they raise the risk of baby bottle tooth decay.
- Distract with play, songs or a short walk outside.
How do you choose a safe teether?
Pick a firm, one-piece teether made of rubber or silicone. Liquid- or gel-filled rings can split and leak into your baby’s mouth. Never hang one around the neck on a cord, because of the strangulation risk. Finally, wash it after each use and bin it at the first sign of a crack.
Which Teething Remedies Should You Avoid?
Numbing gels promise fast relief for symptoms during teething, yet the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against them. Products with benzocaine are unsuitable for children under two. The agency says viscous lidocaine, a prescription liquid, has no place in teething care. Similarly, amber teething necklaces carry risks, with reports of choking, strangulation and death.
Why are these products risky?
Benzocaine can trigger methaemoglobinaemia, a rare but serious blood disorder. It reduces how much oxygen the blood can carry. Swallowed or overused lidocaine can cause seizures and heart problems. Moreover, any gel washes out of the mouth within minutes. The NHS, too, rates the evidence for teething gels as limited.
When Should Your Baby First See a Dentist?
Once teething symptoms bring the first tooth, book a first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry sets the first birthday as the latest point. Meanwhile, start brushing twice a day with a smear of fluoride toothpaste. Early visits let the dentist spot decay risk before any damage begins.
What happens at a baby’s first dental check-up?
Most first visits are short, with your baby sitting on your lap. The dentist checks the teeth and gums, then shows you how to brush. If needed, a protective fluoride varnish goes on the teeth. Our guide to keeping baby teeth free of decay covers the next steps. Later, fissure sealants can protect the permanent molars that arrive around age six.
Telling teething apart: what parents ask
Can teething symptoms start at 3 months?
Do teething symptoms get worse at night?
Can teething cause a runny nose or cough?
What does a teething rash look like?
Comfort and care at home
Is it safe to give my baby painkillers for teething?
Are pharmacy teething gels safe for my baby?
Are teething biscuits a good idea?
How should I brush my baby’s first tooth?
Most teething symptoms pass within a few days per tooth and respond to simple comfort at home. When something feels off, trust your instincts and speak to a doctor. To plan a first check-up, contact our team or meet our dentists, and browse our full range of dental treatments. Families visiting Istanbul are welcome at our Şişli clinic.
Written by: Smile Group Clinical Team · Reviewed by our dentists · Last updated: 19 October 2026
Sources: Massignan et al., Pediatrics (2016) · Macknin et al., Pediatrics (2000) · NHS — Baby teething symptoms · US FDA — Safely soothing teething pain · ADA MouthHealthy — Eruption charts
