Baby Teething Symptoms and Relief: A GTA Parent's Guide
Your baby's first tooth is a milestone worth celebrating, but the weeks leading up to it are rarely easy on anyone in the house. If your little one is drooling non-stop, gnawing on everything within reach, or waking up fussy in the middle of the night, teething is very likely the reason. Here is what is actually happening in your baby's mouth, which symptoms are truly teething and which are not, safe ways to bring some relief, and when it is time to book that first visit to see us.
When Do Babies Start Teething?
Most babies cut their first tooth somewhere between six and ten months old. Some start as early as three months, and a smaller number do not see a tooth until closer to their first birthday. Both ends of that range are perfectly normal, and there is no need to worry as long as your baby is otherwise healthy, feeding well, and gaining weight.
The lower front teeth, called the central incisors, usually arrive first, followed a few weeks later by the upper front teeth. Teeth tend to come in pairs and often in a predictable order, though every baby is a little different.
The Typical Order Primary Teeth Appear
Lower central incisors (bottom front teeth)
Upper central incisors (top front teeth)
Upper lateral incisors
Lower lateral incisors
First molars
Canines (eye teeth)
Second molars
By around age three, most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Teething
Teething discomfort comes from a tooth pushing its way through gum tissue, and the symptoms around each new tooth are usually mild and short-lived. Common signs include:
Increased drooling
Swollen, tender, or reddened gums
Chewing or gnawing on fingers, toys, or crib rails
Mild irritability or fussiness, especially in the evening
Slightly disrupted sleep
A mild rise in temperature, under 38°C
Rubbing an ear or cheek on the side of the emerging tooth
What Teething Does Not Cause
Teething gets blamed for a lot that it does not actually cause. Solid research shows that teething does not cause high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a runny nose, or a rash spreading beyond the chin and cheeks. If your baby has any of these, something else, such as a cold, ear infection, or stomach bug, is the more likely explanation, and it is worth a call to your family doctor or paediatrician.
Symptom | Usually Just Teething | Talk to Your Doctor |
Extra drooling and chewing on objects | Yes | No |
Mild gum swelling or redness | Yes | No |
Low-grade temperature under 38°C | Yes | No |
Fever of 38.5°C or higher | No | Yes |
Diarrhea or vomiting | No | Yes |
Crying that will not settle for hours | No | Yes |
Rash spreading beyond the drool area | No | Yes |
Safe Ways to Soothe Teething Pain
A few simple, well-tested methods work for most babies:
Gently rub a clean finger or a cool, damp washcloth along the gums for a minute or two
Offer a firm, solid silicone or rubber teething ring chilled in the refrigerator, not the freezer
Keep cuddles and a calm bedtime routine going on the rougher nights
For babies already eating solids, cold, soft foods like chilled applesauce can help
Ask your pharmacist about an appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen for a particularly hard day or night
Skip teething gels and tablets that contain benzocaine. Health Canada and the FDA warn against this ingredient for children under two because of a rare but serious risk. Amber teething necklaces are best avoided too. Loose beads are a choking and strangulation hazard, and there is no real evidence they relieve pain.
When to Book Your Baby's First Dental Visit
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by your baby's first birthday, whichever comes first. Families across Scarborough and the wider GTA sometimes wait until a toddler's second or third birthday, but earlier really is better. That first appointment is quick, low-pressure, and mostly about getting your baby comfortable in the chair. We check how the teeth and gums are developing, look for early signs of decay, and answer any questions you have about teething, bottles, or brushing.
If you are trying to work out whether what you are seeing is teething or something else, our guide on baby bottle tooth decay walks through the difference.
And if your baby's first birthday is coming up, our guide on when kids should first see the dentist covers exactly what that first visit involves.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do babies start teething?
Most babies get their first tooth between six and ten months old, though anywhere from three months to their first birthday is considered normal. Babies who are otherwise healthy and feeding well have nothing to worry about if they start a little later than a sibling or friend's baby did.
How long do teething symptoms last?
Discomfort around a single tooth usually lasts a few days before and after it breaks through the gum. Because primary teeth tend to arrive in clusters, mild symptoms can come and go for weeks at a stretch as several teeth work their way in.
Is teething gel safe for my baby?
Look for products without benzocaine, since that ingredient carries a rare but serious safety risk for children under two. A cold, damp washcloth or a chilled silicone teething ring is a safer first choice for most babies and works just as well.
When should I bring my baby in for their first dental visit?
Plan a first visit within six months of the first tooth coming in, or by your baby's first birthday, whichever comes first. Booking earlier is fine too if you have questions about teething, feeding habits, or anything you are noticing in your baby's mouth.
Wondering whether it's teething, or just ready to get your baby's first dental visit on the calendar? We would love to meet your little one.
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