dental hygiene
Teething can kick off earlier than a lot of parents expect. Some babies start around 4 to 6 months, though honestly every kid’s different. A few are even born with a tooth already showing, others don’t get one until past their first birthday. Both completely normal.
So if your three month old is chewing on everything in sight, that doesn’t automatically mean a tooth’s about to show up. Babies explore with their mouths at that age regardless. Could still be teething starting soon though, hard to say for sure.
The Usual Timeline
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months. Lower front teeth usually come in first, then the rest gradually follow, though there’s no strict schedule every baby sticks to.
What About Really Early Teething
Not automatically a problem. If a tooth shows up before 4 months, mention it to your dentist or paediatrician, especially if it looks loose.
And then some babies just take forever. Nothing wrong there either, some just go later than the average.
Signs Teething Might Be Starting
Increased chewing’s usually the first clue. Suddenly biting toys, fingers, whatever they can grab. Gums might look a bit swollen or feel tender, which is why chewing seems to soothe them.
Drooling’s another big one, a lot of it honestly. Though drooling alone doesn’t confirm teething’s started, babies just produce more saliva naturally as they grow anyway.
What Teething Doesn’t Usually Explain
A mild temperature can happen around this time, but an actual fever isn’t something to just blame on teething. Same with diarrhoea, not really a typical teething thing. If your baby’s got a high fever, seems unusually sleepy, isn’t drinking well, or just seems off, talk to a doctor rather than waiting around assuming it’s a tooth.
How Long Does This Whole Process Take
A tooth doesn’t just pop up the second symptoms start. Gum changes can go on for several days before it actually breaks through, and then another tooth starts the whole thing over again later.
Goes on for a while overall. Most kids have their full set of 20 baby teeth by around age 3, though the pace varies a lot child to child.
When To Get A Dentist Involved
First dental visit should happen by the first birthday, or within six months of that first tooth showing up, whichever comes first. Sounds early, but it’s genuinely useful for checking how things are developing and getting brushing advice early on.
If a tooth shows up really early, looks loose, causes a lot of swelling, or anything about the mouth looks off, get it checked.
Disclaimer
The information shared in our articles is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Every smile is unique, and only a qualified dental professional can assess your individual oral health needs. If you have any concerns, please book an appointment with our team or consult your local dentist.
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