Teething

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• Teething Overview
• Teething Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Teething Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medications
• Next Steps
• Outlook
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Teething Overview

Teething refers to the process of new teeth rising or erupting through the gums.

• Teething can begin in infants as young as 2 months of age, even though the first tooth usually does not appear until about age 6 months of age. Some dentists have noted a family pattern of "early," "average," or "late" teethers. Usually, the first tooth to erupt is one of the lower, central incisors. Some children will have a pattern of serial eruption of their teeth. Others will have multiple dental eruptions at the same time. As the tooth penetrates the gums, the area may appear slightly red or swollen over the tooth. Sometimes a fluid-filled area similar to a "blood blister" may be seen over the erupting tooth.



• Some teeth may be more sensitive than others when they erupt. The first tooth to erupt may be the most sensitive. Sometimes, the larger molars cause more discomfort due to their larger surface area that can't "slice" through the gum tissue as an erupting incisor is capable of doing.