Teething advice

Teething in babies: teething advice and information

As tooth buds start to bite

Your baby started teething in the womb. While you were pregnant, he developed tooth buds in his gums - the foundation for his milk teeth.

Your baby's tooth buds begin to break through his gums from around 4 to 6 months, though it can take three years for the baby's gummy grin to grow into a smile with a full set of 20 bright milk teeth.

As each tooth develops, the gum above it starts becoming red and swollen and your baby's cheeks look slightly fuller and flushed. He may be irritable if his gums are sore, so prepare for restless nights and miserable days a month or two before any baby teeth grow through. It may take a month or two before his first tooth appears, showing as a tiny white cap on his gum.

If your baby refuses to eat solid food during teething, you can offer extra breast milk or formula milk. Also offer him plenty of cooled boiled water to drink.

Want to know more about teething?
Come to The Baby Show where you can speak to our experts including health visitors in our Health Professional Advice Centre.

When baby teeth start to break through

Did you know?

• One in 2000 babies are actually born with a small baby tooth or two.
• The lower central incisor tooth may start emerging as early as 3 months in an early developer, though some late developing babies may not show any signs of teething until they're nearly a year old.
• Most babies start teething at around 6 months old - about the time they start getting solid baby food in their diets. Premature babies may be a few months behind the rest in teething.

Read more about baby's teething timetable

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