When will my baby start getting teeth?

The teething process varies with each infant but the process can start as early as 4 months. Typically, the first primary (or baby) teeth to erupt through the gums are the lower central incisors (bottom front teeth), followed closely by the upper central incisors (upper front teeth) If these teeth come in crooked, they will generally straighten on their own. By age 3, the child will usually have a full set of 20 baby teeth.

As the teeth come in, the baby can experience symptoms of teething. While not all children have these symptoms, they are quite common and include:

• Swelling and sensitivity of the gums
• Problems sleeping
• Biting behavior
• Fussiness or irritability
• Chipped or Fractured Baby Tooth: Since baby teeth are meant to fall out, this is usually not something to stress over. Contact your child's dentist.
• Drooling, which can lead to a facial rash
• Refusing food

To help relieve your child's discomfort, give your baby something to chew on, like a teething ring or a cold washcloth. If your child is at the age of eating solids, you can also give them cold foods such as yogurt or applesauce to ease the pain.