Teething and What to Expect

Baby teeth appear at different ages for different babies and can sometimes take quite some time before they appear. By three years of age most children will have all of their primary teeth. If by the time your baby reaches twelve months of age he does not have his first tooth, you should consult your dentist.

There are 20 primary or “baby” teeth that every child has during their lifetime: ten in the upper jaw and ten in the lower. Typically, the appearance of baby teeth is as follows: the upper and lower incisors come first, then the upper lateral incisors come in a few months later, followed shortly thereafter with the bottom lateral incisors. The top and bottom molars are the next set to come through, usually right around 18 months. The cuspids, or eyeteeth, usually follow soon after the molars. At approximately two, to two and a half years, the second set of molars will appear.

The order in which baby teeth appear can vary and no two children will necessarily be alike in their teething schedule. Although occasionally it occurs that a child does not get an entire set of baby teeth, it is still very rare that a child doesn't get all twenty.

Occasionally a baby is born with a front tooth (about 1 in every 2000 babies are born this way). If this happens a pediatric dentist should see your baby. Until you and your baby adjust this can interfere with breastfeeding so it’s best to see a pediatric dentist as soon as possible, especially if you intend to breastfeed.

If you are wondering if your baby is teething here are a few surefire signs that your little one is about to get his first set of choppers:

• Increased fussiness.

• Nighttime crying.

• “Clingy" behavior.

• Excessive dribbling (drooling).

• Chewing on fingers, teething rings, and other objects.

• Swollen, red, inflamed gums.

• Increased demand in breast or bottle-feeding.

• Rejection of breast or bottle because sucking hurts the gums.

• Poor appetite.

• Interrupted sleep.

Although you may have heard otherwise from well meaning friends and relatives, teething does NOT cause significant fever (over 100 degrees rectally), sleep problems, diarrhea, diaper rash, or lowered resistance to any infection.

To help soothe your baby's teething discomfort, follow these guidelines:

• Gently massage the swollen gums with one of your fingers (be sure to wash your hands thoroughly).  

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