Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months, though anywhere from 4 to 15 months is normal.
Common signs
- Lots of drool, chewing on hands and toys
- Swollen, tender gums
- Fussiness and waking more at night
What helps
- A clean, chilled teether from the fridge (not the freezer)
- Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger
- Wiping drool often to prevent rashes
What to avoid
- Teething gels with benzocaine or numbing creams
- Amber or teething necklaces and bracelets, which are a choking and strangling risk
Teething does not cause high fever
High fever, diarrhoea or a rash all over are not caused by teeth. See your doctor.
From the first tooth, brush twice a day with a soft baby brush and a rice-grain-sized smear of toothpaste. Ask your dentist which toothpaste suits your baby.
General information only. Always follow your doctor's advice for your baby.
Kitly Sage · 3–6 months
For the smiling, grabbing, teething months: bath time, teether, towel and a first rattle.
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