Your infant Developmental milestones: Teething

Teething

Cutting teeth isn't one of those milestones a baby reaches all at once. Transitioning from that gummy grin to a mouthful of gleaming teeth is a rite of passage that can take your little one three years to complete. Whenever the first tooth peeks through, celebrate it by taking pictures and noting its arrival date in your child's baby book.

Learn the right way to care for your baby's gums and emerging teeth, when fluoride is okay, whether you need to floss, when and how to brush, and more.

 

By the time your little one is 3, he'll have a mouthful of choppers that he can brush himself, a basic step on the road to self care. (Because he won't have the skills to do a good job, though, be sure to lend him a hand until he's at least 6 years old.)

How it develops

While some babies breeze through the teething process, many seem to struggle with it and experience discomfort. Among the symptoms your teething baby may exhibit:

• Drooling (which can lead to a facial rash)
• Gum swelling and sensitivity
• Irritability or fussiness
• Biting behavior
• Refusing food
• Sleep problems

Teething may be accompanied by a slight fever or an upset stomach. If your baby has a fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 degrees Celsius, is vomiting, has diarrhea, or has any other symptoms that worry you, don't just chalk it up to teething. Give his doctor a call.

Most babies get new teeth in this order: First the bottom two middle ones, then the top two middle ones, then the ones along the sides and back.

Is your baby teething?

Teething symptoms could be due to a host of other issues. To determine whether teething is to blame for your little one's fussiness, look for a sudden change in behavior. "We used to think teeth moved gradually," says Dr. Greene. "Now we know there are some days when teeth move a lot and others only a little." Most children will only be bothered by the large, intense movements.

If in doubt, it never hurts to try a teething remedy. If you're wrong, most symptoms aren't a sign of anything that would need immediate attention – the exception is a fever. Anything over 100 degrees Fahrenheit warrants a trip to the doctor.