Teething is one of the most common topics Dr. Carroll discusses with parents of babies. There are plenty of tooth-eruption charts online, but babies do not all follow the same schedule. The first tooth often appears around 4 to 6 months, but earlier or later can still be normal.
Before you can see it
Signs of teething
A baby can also feel the movement of teeth in the jaw before a tooth is visibly breaking through the gums. That is one reason parents may notice chewing, drooling, night waking, changes in appetite, or general fussiness before they can actually see a new tooth.
Dr. Carroll’s tip
Cold, not frozen
Dr. Carroll’s favorite simple teething tip is cold rather than frozen relief. A toy your baby already likes to chew can be placed in the refrigerator for a short time, and a cool washcloth can also be soothing.
Why baby teeth matter
Most children have all of their primary teeth by approximately age 2 to 3. Those baby teeth matter: they help children chew and speak and help maintain space for the permanent teeth developing underneath.
Because the first year includes so many changes in feeding, teething, oral habits, and tooth eruption, an early dental visit gives parents a chance to ask questions and establish a preventive plan before there is a problem.
Reviewed by Shari Carroll, DMD, MPH - Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Contact
1611 S. Catalina Avenue | Suite 100 Redondo Beach | CA 90277 | Phone: (310) 357-4414
There is FREE parking in our underground parking garage accessible off of Catalina Avenue.
Existing patients: Please use Dr. Carroll’s established after-hours contact instructions for urgent questions outside normal office hours.
