When do babies start teething?

Teething does not begin on a fixed timetable. Around 6 months is a guide, not a deadline, but some babies start before 4 months and others after 12 months. A few babies are born with teeth. These ages describe babies as a group and cannot show whether an individual baby's mouth or behaviour is typical.

Some teeth come through with little or no discomfort. A sore patch of gum, dribbling, chewing and extra fretfulness can happen around teething, but these signs cannot confirm the cause.

If your baby is otherwise well, gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger may help. A temperature of 38°C or more is a fever under NHS guidance, and a baby who seems unwell needs professional advice rather than reassurance that it is teething.

How much can teething timing vary?

When most babies start

The NHS says that most babies start teething at around 6 months. That is an approximate centre, not a deadline. Starting before 4 months or after 12 months can fall within the range described by the NHS, and a few babies already have a tooth when they are born.

This variation also means that age alone cannot tell you whether a behaviour is caused by teething. A baby who chews their fingers at 3 months may be starting to teethe, but chewing by itself does not confirm it.

Which teeth tend to appear first?

The front central incisors are usually among the first teeth to appear. The sequence is only a rough guide, though, and your baby's teeth may not arrive in a neat or predictable order.

If the timing feels unusual

General age ranges cannot assess an individual mouth or tooth. If you are concerned about a tooth that was present at birth, an unusual-looking area in the mouth or the timing of tooth eruption, ask a dentist, health visitor or GP for individual advice rather than waiting for a universal cut-off.

What are the possible signs of teething?

Possible signs, not proof

Some babies have no obvious discomfort. When mild signs do happen, they may last for a few days around a tooth coming through. According to the NHS teething guidance, you may notice:

• A sore or red area of gum where a tooth may be coming through
• More dribbling than usual
• Chewing or gnawing on things
• Being more fretful than usual

These are possible associations, not a diagnosis. Their presence, absence or duration cannot confirm that teething is the cause.

Dribbling and chewing can be possible signs, but they do not confirm that a baby is teething.

Fever, diarrhoea and an unwell baby

A slight rise in temperature below 38°C may be seen around teething, but 38°C or more is a fever under NHS guidance. Do not label this “teething fever” or let a teething assumption delay care. Follow the current NHS fever advice and seek prompt professional advice if your baby is young, seems unwell or has another worrying sign.

There is no evidence that teething causes diarrhoea. Vomiting, a significant rash, poor feeding, fewer wet nappies, unusual drowsiness, breathing difficulty, constant inconsolable crying or an unwell appearance should not be dismissed as teething. These symptoms may have another cause that needs assessment.

How can you comfort a teething baby safely?

Start with simple comfort

For a baby who is otherwise well, the NHS suggests several simple measures that may help:

• Gently rub the gum with a clean finger
• Comfort, cuddle or play with your baby
• Gently wipe dribble from the face to help protect the skin

These are comfort measures, not treatments or proof that the discomfort is caused by teething.

Using a teething ring safely

A plain, hand-held teething ring may help when it is used as instructed. If the instructions allow it, cool the ring in the fridge. Never put it in the freezer because a frozen ring could damage your baby's gums, and never tie a ring around your baby's neck because of the choking risk.

Avoid neck-worn teething jewellery. Cords and small parts can introduce choking and strangulation hazards, and they are not equivalent to a correctly used hand-held ring.

A fridge-cooled, hand-held teething ring may help; never freeze it or tie it around a baby's neck.

When a product or medicine raises a question

If you are unsure whether a gel, medicine or child-specific product is suitable, ask a pharmacist or GP rather than relying on online dosing or treatment advice.

When the first tooth appears

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth comes through. The NHS advises using a baby toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day, including just before bed. A dentist can help with an individual oral-health concern.

When should you get medical or dental advice?

Seek prompt advice rather than assuming teething

Ask for prompt professional advice if your baby has any of the following:

• A temperature of 38°C or more
• Vomiting or a significant rash
• Not feeding normally
• Fewer wet nappies or few or no tears
• Unusual drowsiness or difficulty waking
• Breathing difficulty
• Constant inconsolable crying
• An appearance or behaviour that makes you think your baby is unwell

This is not a diagnostic checklist. The NHS serious-illness guidance stresses that parents and carers often know when something is different, and comfort measures should not delay assessment. Signs such as fewer wet nappies, few or no tears and unusual drowsiness can also need urgent advice because babies are more vulnerable to dehydration.

Use the correct route where you live

Urgent-care routes differ across the four nations:

• England: contact a GP or NHS 111
• Wales: contact a GP or NHS 111 Wales
• Scotland: contact a GP or NHS 24 on 111
• Northern Ireland: contact a GP or GP out-of-hours, or use an emergency department for serious illness

Use 999 for an emergency in any part of the UK. These routes can change, so use the current service guidance rather than an old saved number or a route intended for another nation.

Oral-health or tooth-eruption concerns

A dentist is the right professional for an individual oral-health problem or unusual tooth-eruption pattern. A health visitor or GP can also help if you are unsure who to contact. General information about timing cannot diagnose a problem or replace individual medical or dental advice.

Frequently asked questions