Take as many pictures of the cute baby’s toothless smile as you can while you still can. The little teeth will show in the blink of an eye, and you will definitely know when this is happening. Teething can cause quite a bit of discomfort for babies, and they will express it in the only way they know how – through crying and sleeplessness.
If your baby is showing signs of discontent, you may start to wonder if it’s time for the first teeth. The truth is that every baby is unique, and this moment is different for every child. However, there is a general time frame – plus a few important things all mothers should know to make the process easier.
When exactly do the first teeth appear?
Babies’ first teeth usually start coming in between three and six months, but it’s quite possible for this to happen later. In fact, some babies may not get their first teeth until they are one year old. Genetics play a significant role in determining the age at which teeth appear, so the family is also a factor
How do you know your baby’s teeth are coming in?
During this process, the tooth is pushed up through the bone and then through the gum line. No wonder it hurts! So the answer to the question of when babies’ teeth start to erupt lies in the following symptoms:
- crying
- drooling
- temperature slightly above normal
- sleep problems
- swollen gums
- loss of appetite
How long does teething last?
There’s no clear answer to this question, but in general, baby teeth erupt every 4 to 6 months, so a baby will have their full set of baby teeth by around 24 months.
How long does the toothache last?
Good news! The pain doesn’t last all the time during those 24 months, even though it takes that long for all the teeth to erupt. This is because the pain only occurs when the teeth actually break through the gums and subsides between episodes, so severe symptoms only last a few days. Plus, children tend to get used to this process over time. Although symptoms are evident with the first one or two teeth, they become milder as the baby’s mouth begins to fill with teeth.
Can the appearance of the first teeth be delayed?
Teething is considered delayed when a baby reaches its first birthday and still has no teeth. If this is the case, talk to your pediatrician. He can assess the situation and suggest an x-ray of the mouth if there are concerns.
