24 June 2026 · Little Rei
When Does Baby Start to Teethe?
It usually announces itself at around six months — a soaked bib, a fist forever at the mouth — though anywhere from four to ten months is entirely normal. Some babies flash a first tooth at three months; others keep a gummy grin well past the first birthday, and every one of them is precisely on schedule. Teething timing runs in families more than anything else.
So when a friend's baby has two teeth and yours has none, let it pass. The teeth are already there, formed beneath the gums since before birth, quietly waiting their turn.
What order do baby teeth come in?
The bottom front pair almost always leads, followed by the top front two. Then the incisors beside them, the first molars around the first birthday, the canines after that, and the second molars closing the set — usually by two and a half to three years.
Twenty small teeth over roughly two years. Said aloud it sounds like a marathon, but there are long, quiet stretches between arrivals, and many teeth surface with barely a grumble. It is the molars — broader, blunter — that tend to make themselves felt on the way through.
What are the signs baby is teething?
- Drool well beyond the usual, bibs soaked by mid-morning
- Chewing on fists, toys, spoons, your shoulder — whatever comes within reach
- Red, swollen gums, sometimes with a pale bump where a tooth is rising
- Fussiness, and sleep that runs lighter and more broken
- Flushed cheeks and a slightly raised temperature
- A drool rash at the chin, neck or chest
- Ears pulled and cheeks rubbed on the sore side
One line worth holding onto: teething can make a baby warm and grumpy, but it does not cause high fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. If any of those appear, or your baby simply seems truly unwell, see your paediatrician rather than putting it down to teeth.
How can you soothe teething gums?
Counter-pressure is the great reliever. A sore gum wants something firm but yielding to press against, which is precisely what a food-grade silicone teething ball is for. Its soft nubs work the gums while the open form turns easily in small hands — baby stays absorbed, and the pressure does its quiet work.
Let the teether sit in the fridge a while before you offer it; cool is kind to inflamed gums, and doubly welcome on a sticky Singapore afternoon. The freezer, though, is a step too far — frozen teethers turn hard enough to bruise.
- A clean finger drawn gently along the gum — simple, and surprisingly effective
- A fridge-cool teething ball, or a damp bamboo washcloth chilled for chewing
- Extra holding and a change of scene — a walk or a bath resets a grizzly evening
- Drool wiped gently and often, with a soft bib standing guard over the chest
- If nothing settles baby, ask your paediatrician about suitable pain relief and the right dose
Leave benzocaine teething gels and amber teething necklaces on the shelf. Both carry real risks, and paediatricians advise against them.
Caring for those first teeth
The moment a tooth shows, it is worth keeping. Twice a day, a soft baby toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. And keep the drool defences in rotation — a drawer of soft bibs spares both the outfits and that tender chin.
Book a first dental visit around the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. These early appointments are brief and friendly, less about treatment than about letting baby grow easy in the chair.
Teething has a way of feeling endless at three in the morning — and then one day there is a small white tooth in the widest smile you have ever been given. It passes, one tooth at a time.
Questions parents ask
When do babies start teething?
Around six months on average, though anywhere from four to ten months is normal. A few babies start earlier or later, and timing often runs in families.
Which teeth come in first?
Usually the two bottom front teeth, followed by the top front pair. Most children have all twenty baby teeth by around age three.
Does teething cause fever?
Teething can cause a slightly raised temperature, but not high fever, vomiting or diarrhoea. See your paediatrician if those occur.
What helps a teething baby at night?
A fridge-chilled teething ball before bed, a gentle gum massage, and extra comfort. Ask your paediatrician about pain relief if baby is very unsettled.
Should I put a teether in the freezer?
No, freezing makes teethers too hard and can hurt gums. Chill in the fridge instead for a soothing, cool bite.