Parenting Life Guide

Published: September 3, 2026

Teething: When It Starts and How to Ease the Pain

When the first tooth starts to come in, swollen gums can make a baby fussier than usual. Based on AAP and FDA guidance, here’s an overview of the teething timeline, symptoms, and safe ways to help.

Timeline and Order of Teeth

The first tooth tends to appear around 6 to 10 months, with all 20 primary teeth (10 on top, 10 on bottom) typically in place by around age 2 to 3. Discomfort can start weeks or even months before a tooth is actually visible.

Common Symptoms

Swollen gums, increased drooling, and a strong urge to chew on fingers or toys are considered classic signs. Waking more often at night, eating less, and general fussiness can also show up. Symptoms like high fever, diarrhea, or rash, though, are generally not explained by teething alone.

Safe Relief Methods

Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or offering a firm rubber teething ring can help. A clean, damp washcloth chilled in the refrigerator (not frozen) for a short time is also considered a helpful option for gum discomfort.

Remedies to Avoid

Gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine are not recommended for infants and young children, since the FDA has linked them to rare but serious blood disorders such as methemoglobinemia. Amber or wooden teething necklaces are best avoided too, given the choking and strangulation risk they carry.

Caregiving Tip

Keeping a few teething rings in the refrigerator and rotating them out lets your baby enjoy a longer stretch of soothing, cool relief.

When to Consider Talking with a Pediatrician

If a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher shows up alongside teething signs, or diarrhea, rash, or gum bleeding persists, checking in with a pediatric provider may be helpful. This information isn’t a diagnostic tool and doesn’t replace advice from a medical professional.