Teething

Definition

Teething is the growth of teeth through the gums in the mouth of infants and young children.

Alternative Names

Eruption of primary teeth; Well child care - teething

Information

Teething generally begins when a child is between 6 and 8 months old. All 20 baby teeth should be in place by the time a child is 30 months old. Some children do not show any teeth until much later than 8 months, but this is usually normal for the child and not due to a disease.

The signs of teething are:

Teething does not cause fever or diarrhea. If your child develops a fever or diarrhea and you are worried about it, talk to your health care provider.

Tips to ease your child's teething discomfort:

You can buy the following medicines and remedies at the drug store:

Be sure to read and follow package instructions before using any medicine or remedy. If you are not sure how to use it, call your child's provider.

What not to do:

References

American Academy of Pediatrics website. Teething: 4 to 7 months. www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx. Updated October 6, 2016. Accessed November 29, 2022.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Policy on oral health care programs for infants, children, adolescents, and individuals with special health care needs. The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry. Chicago, IL: American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry; 2020:39-42. www.aapd.org/globalassets/media/policies_guidelines/p_oralhealthcareprog.pdf. Updated 2020. Accessed November 29, 2022.

Turner EG, Dean JA. Eruption of the teeth: local, systemic, and congenital factors that influence the process. In: Dean JA, ed. McDonald and Avery's Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent. 11th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 20.


Review Date: 10/31/2022
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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