From the Guidelines
Early teething in infants is generally not a cause for concern and doesn't necessarily indicate anything significant about a baby's development. Teething typically begins around 6 months of age, but some babies may start showing signs as early as 3 months, while others might not get their first tooth until after their first birthday. This variation is normal and often has a genetic component, meaning if parents or siblings were early teethers, a baby might be too.
Key Points to Consider
- Early teething doesn't correlate with advanced development in other areas, nor does it suggest any health problems, as noted in a study on early childhood caries 1.
- The teething process itself remains the same regardless of timing, with symptoms potentially including irritability, drooling, gum swelling, and a desire to chew on objects.
- For discomfort, parents can offer clean, chilled (not frozen) teething rings, gently massage the baby's gums with a clean finger, or use age-appropriate over-the-counter pain relievers like infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (for babies over 6 months) following package dosing instructions.
- It's essential to prioritize oral health from an early age to prevent issues like early childhood caries (ECC), which can have severe consequences, including tooth loss, malocclusion, and low oral health–related quality of life, as discussed in the study 1.
Oral Health Considerations
- ECC is an infectious disease, with Streptococcus mutans being the most commonly recognized causative organism, and can be influenced by dietary habits and oral hygiene.
- Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is an aggressive form of ECC and can lead to painful dental infections or abscesses and, rarely, death, highlighting the importance of early intervention and prevention.
- Parents should be aware of the risks associated with ECC and take steps to promote good oral health habits from an early age, including regular dental check-ups and a balanced diet.
From the Research
Teething in Infants
Teething is a normal process by which an infant begins to cut the first teeth (primary dentition) 2. On average, infants begin teething at six months and by the age of three years all the first teeth have erupted 2.
Symptoms Associated with Teething
Some common symptoms associated with teething include:
- Sensitive and painful gums
- Mouth ulceration
- Drooling
- Feeding difficulties
- Lack of sleep and crying 2
- Increased biting, drooling, gum-rubbing, sucking, irritability, wakefulness, ear-rubbing, facial rash, decreased appetite for solid foods, and mild temperature elevation 3
Predicting Tooth Emergence
No symptom cluster could reliably predict the imminent emergence of a tooth 3. Before caregivers attribute any infants' signs or symptoms of a potentially serious illness to teething, other possible causes must be ruled out 3.
Teething and Infant Development
Teething is a normal physiological process when a baby's first set of teeth emerge through the gums 4. Most babies grow their first tooth at some point during their first year 4. Babies can experience teething differently, with some showing signs of distress 4.
Management of Teething
The contemporary principles of the management of teething are discussed, including supportive care 5. Teething aids such as cold teething rings can alleviate some teething symptoms effectively at home 2. Over-the-counter treatments are available which provide pain relief and are mainly in the form of analgesic and anaesthetic gels, some of which also possess antiseptic properties 2.