Few baby milestones are blamed for as much as teething. Unsettled night? Teething. Grumpy afternoon? Teething. Extra drool on your shoulder? Definitely teething. So when do babies actually start teething — and how can you tell the difference between sore gums and everything else going on in your baby's busy first year?
When do babies start teething?
Most babies cut their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, with the average sitting right around six months. That said, the normal range is enormous: some babies are born with a tooth (it happens in roughly 1 in 2,000 births), while others are still gummy at their first birthday. Timing is largely genetic — if you or your partner teethed late, your baby may too. If there are no teeth at all by around 18 months, it's worth mentioning to your dentist or doctor, but before then, late teething alone is rarely a concern.
The typical teething timeline
Teeth usually arrive in pairs, starting from the front: the bottom central incisors come first (around 4–7 months), followed by the top central incisors (8–12 months), the lateral incisors (9–13 months), first molars (13–19 months), canines (16–22 months) and finally the second molars (23–33 months). By age three, most children have a full set of 20 baby teeth.
Real signs of teething
Genuine teething signs tend to be local and mild: increased drooling, a strong urge to chew and gnaw, red or swollen gums, flushed cheeks, mild irritability and slightly disrupted sleep in the days before a tooth breaks through. You may even see a small pale bump on the gum. What teething does not reliably cause is high fever, diarrhoea or vomiting — if your baby has those symptoms, treat them as illness and check in with your doctor rather than putting it down to teeth.
Safe ways to soothe sore gums
Cold, not frozen. A chilled (refrigerated) teething ring or a clean, cold washcloth to chew gives real relief. Avoid frozen items, which can hurt gums.
Gum massage. A clean finger rubbed gently along the gum applies counter-pressure that many babies love.
Extra comfort. Teething babies often want more cuddles and more frequent feeds. Comfort is a legitimate remedy.
Pain relief when needed. If your baby is clearly uncomfortable, age-appropriate paracetamol or ibuprofen can help — always follow dosage guidance and ask your pharmacist or doctor if unsure. Skip teething gels containing benzocaine and amber teething necklaces; both carry real risks and little benefit.
Caring for those first teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears, using a soft baby toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day. It builds a habit early and protects enamel from day one.
The bottom line
Teething is a marathon of tiny milestones spread over two years, and most babies handle it better than the folklore suggests. Track the pattern of symptoms rather than assuming every rough night is a tooth — noticing what's really driving fussiness is one of the things the Littlest companion is designed to help with. And as always, this article is general information, not medical advice: for anything worrying, see your doctor or dentist.
