Baby Teething Timeline

None of us wants our children to grow up too fast, but there are lots of marvels along the way and your baby's first tooth is an exciting milestone.

When Do Babies Start Teething?

Generally teething can start anywhere from 3 months to 12 months of age. (Did you know? A small number of babies — 1 in 2,000 — may be born with a tooth!)

Some babies sail through teething with no symptoms at all while others may show signs that a tooth is on the way; look for teething signals such as constant drooling.

Like most things in a baby's development, the baby teething timeline is different from child to child. As a general rule, once your baby starts teething he will sprout about 4 teeth every 6 months. These first teeth are generally known as primary or milk teeth, which will eventually be replaced by permanent adult teeth when he is between 6 and 12 years of age.

The Teething Schedule

You are likely to find that your baby's first teeth arrive between 4 and 7 months, with the front lower teeth (the central incisors) tending to come through first. Their counterparts on the upper jaw usually follow.

Teeth may come through more or less in pairs, with the upper and lower laterals appearing between 9 and 16 months followed by the canines, which will probably make an appearance before your child is 2-years-old. The last to appear are the molars, which don't generally pop through until just before a toddler's 3rd birthday. While girls tend to teethe earlier than boys, most children are likely to have a full set of 20 teeth by the time they are 3-years-old.

What if My Baby's Teething Comes at a Different Time?

Growing teeth is not a competitive sport and your baby's teeth will arrive when they are ready. So don't be concerned if your friends' children get teeth before yours do.

Remember that babies can chew even without teeth and it is always important to be mindful of choking and to supervise them when eating. Even with a full set of teeth, certain foods present a choking hazard, grapes, for example, should always be quartered (long ways) before being served to little ones.

Try not to worry. Instead enjoy every exciting milestone in their development. Rest assured that your baby's teeth will arrive when they are ready.

Teething and Diaper Rash – Fact or Fiction?

US Pediatrician Dr Tom DeWitt says, teething, diaper rash and loose stools may happen at the same time but they are probably unrelated. Diarrhea with teething is not an expected side effect. If your baby has diarrhea while he is teething, watch carefully for signs of dehydration and please contact your health care professional if the baby is running a high fever (>102 F) or his stool contains blood or pus.