Most children begin teething between four and seven months of age. The lower front teeth typically appear first, followed by the upper front teeth. The full set of primary teeth is usually in by around age three, though there is a wide range of normal.

Teething as a process continues from the first tooth through the completion of all 20 primary teeth, usually around age two and a half to three. Individual teeth generally cause discomfort for a few days before and after eruption. It is not a constant state, even if it can feel that way.

No. Teething does not cause true fever. A temperature at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit alongside teething symptoms points to a separate illness. Call your pediatrician if your child has a fever. Call Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry if you have questions about what is happening with the teeth.

Call your pediatrician if your child has fever, diarrhea, or significant illness that coincides with teething, as those symptoms have another cause. Contact Wheeler Pediatric Dentistry if a tooth is erupting in an unexpected position, if your child does not have any teeth by 18 months, or if you notice any unusual changes in the gum tissue.

A chilled teething ring or cold damp washcloth applied to the gums provides safe relief. Gentle gum massage with a clean finger helps. If additional relief is needed, an age-appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen is appropriate. The FDA cautions against benzocaine teething gels for children under two. We do not recommend amber teething necklaces due to choking and strangulation risk.