Baby Teething Chart: When Each Tooth Comes In, What's Normal, and When to Call the Doctor

Key Takeaways

• The first tooth usually appears around 6 months, with a normal range of about 3 to 12 months; all 20 baby teeth are typically in place by about 30 months to 3 years.
• Teething can cause drooling, gum swelling, extra chewing, mild crankiness, and a slight temperature rise, but it does not cause a true fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher.
• Chill, do not freeze, teethers and washcloths; gum massage first, pain medicine only as a short backup dosed by weight, and never benzocaine gels, homeopathic tablets, or amber necklaces.
• Brushing starts with the first tooth, twice a day with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste, and the first dental visit comes by the first birthday.

Parents blame teething for everything. Most of it is not teething

Ask a room of parents what teething causes and you will hear fevers, diarrhea, sleepless weeks, and ear infections. The evidence says otherwise. The largest prospective study followed 125 infants across 19,422 child-days and 475 tooth eruptions: the symptoms statistically tied to teething were increased biting, drooling, gum-rubbing, sucking, irritability, wakefulness, ear-rubbing, facial rash, decreased appetite for solid foods, and mild temperature elevation. Congestion, sleep disturbance, stool looseness, increased stool number, decreased appetite for liquids, cough, rashes other than facial rashes, fever over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, and vomiting were not associated with tooth emergence. No single symptom occurred in more than 35 percent of teething infants, and no symptom occurred more than 20 percent more often in teething than in nonteething infants ¹.

That gap between what parents feel and what the data shows is the whole point of this guide. Below is the eruption chart first, then what teething truly causes, what it never causes, how to soothe safely, and the exact lines where you stop blaming teething and call the doctor.

The teething chart: when each tooth comes in

The first tooth typically appears around 6 months, though anything from about 3 to 12 months falls in the normal range ²³. Lower teeth usually erupt before their upper counterparts, teeth usually arrive in pairs, and a rough rule of thumb is about four teeth per six months of life ⁴. All 20 primary teeth are generally in place by about 30 months to 3 years ⁵⁴.

Tooth	Upper	Lower
Central incisor	8 to 12 months	6 to 10 months
Lateral incisor	9 to 13 months	10 to 16 months
Canine (eyetooth)	16 to 22 months	17 to 23 months
First molar	13 to 19 months	14 to 18 months
Second molar	25 to 33 months	23 to 31 months

Per-tooth ranges come from the Cleveland Clinic eruption chart and match the American Dental Association chart ⁴⁶. The specialist reference gives slightly tighter windows, for example canines 16 to 20 months and first molars 11 to 18 months in both jaws, second molars 20 to 30 months, and notes that many otherwise normal infants do not conform strictly to the stated schedule ⁷.

The order matters more than the exact month. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes it plainly: the two front teeth, either upper or lower, usually appear first, followed by the opposite front teeth, then the first molars, then the canines or eyeteeth ⁸. The lower central incisors are almost always the opening act ².

What if there are no teeth yet?

Timing varies enormously, and late does not mean wrong. MedlinePlus advises asking your child’s provider if no teeth have appeared by 9 months ⁹, while the AAP notes some babies may not have any teeth by their first birthday and that this is often still normal ². Treat 9 months as a checkpoint to ask, not an alarm. If eruption is delayed well past the first birthday, your pediatrician or dentist can check whether anything needs attention.

What teething actually causes (and what it does not)

The AAP lists three proven signs: drooling, extra chewing, and a rash around the mouth that is a side effect of drooling, since saliva carries small bits of food that irritate delicate skin ¹⁰. Mayo Clinic adds acting cranky, sore or tender gums, a face rash, and a slight rise in temperature without fever ¹¹. The AAP symptom checker is blunter still: gum pain is mild, not always present, not enough to cause crying, and not enough to cause sleep problems ¹². Mild fussiness tends to peak in the days right before a tooth breaks through and usually improves within three to four days ¹³.

The false-symptom list is longer and more important. Teething does not cause fever, diarrhea, diaper rash, or runny nose. It does not cause a lot of crying, and it does not make babies more prone to getting sick ¹². The AAP warns that blaming teething for fevers can delay care for real infections such as ear infections, urinary tract infections, and meningitis ¹².

The fever question, settled with numbers

This is the single most misunderstood point, so here are the exact lines. Teething can nudge body temperature up slightly, but it does not cause a true fever. The standard definition is a rectal temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, and teething does not push temperatures that high ¹⁴¹¹⁴. Parent-facing guidance generally describes teething temperatures as rising to about 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, staying below the fever line ¹⁴.

Two honest caveats. First, the pediatric dentistry policy statement does use the phrase low-grade fever among teething effects ¹⁵, while AAP consumer pages say only a slight rise within the normal range ¹⁶. The practical line is identical either way: anything at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) is not teething. Second, one AAP page phrases its threshold as higher than 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit while the rest of the field uses 100.4 ¹⁶; use 100.4 as the standard.

The underlying studies back the conservative reading. The meta-analysis of 16 studies and 3,506 children found teething could raise temperature but not to fever ¹⁷. A separate meta-analysis found no overall association between fever and tooth eruption, with a positive signal only in the rectal-temperature subgroup, and even that came with substantial heterogeneity ¹⁸.

Safe soothing: what works, in order

Start drug-free. The AAP recommends gently rubbing the gums with a finger and offering a firm-rubber teething ring ⁸. A fuller AAP list adds soft teething toys, a twisted damp washcloth chilled in the fridge, a sippy cup of cold water for babies over 6 months, and gum massage with a fingertip or knuckle ¹⁰. Mayo Clinic suggests rubbing the gums for two minutes with a clean finger or wet gauze, and for babies older than 1 year, a piece of ice wrapped in a wet cloth ¹¹. Cleveland Clinic’s five remedies are gum massage, teething rings or toys, chilled washcloths or rings, cold soft foods, and pain relievers as backup ¹⁹.

The chill-versus-freeze distinction matters. Current guidance says to chill teethers and washcloths in the refrigerator and not to freeze them solid; the older advice endorsing freezer-chilled washcloths and frozen bagels has been superseded ¹⁰¹¹. The FDA likewise says the teething ring must not be frozen and should be firm, not liquid-filled, rubber ²⁰. MedlinePlus adds: never tie a teething ring around the neck, never place anything frozen against the gums, never cut the gums, never use teething powders, never give aspirin, never rub alcohol on the gums, and never use homeopathic remedies ⁵.

Pain medicine is a short backup, not a routine. If the baby is clearly uncomfortable, talk with your pediatrician about a weight-appropriate dose of acetaminophen, or ibuprofen if over 6 months, with the dose set in milliliters by age and weight ². The age floors: acetaminophen from about 3 months unless a clinician says otherwise, ibuprofen from 6 months ⁴³. Cap it at one to two days; longer use can damage the liver or kidneys, and needing medicine beyond a day or two means something other than teething may be causing the pain ¹¹¹⁹.

Never use these

Benzocaine and lidocaine teething products are not recommended. Benzocaine, the active ingredient in products including Anbesol, Orajel, and similar gels, can cause methemoglobinemia and is contraindicated under age 2; viscous lidocaine solution should not be used for teething in infants either ²⁰. Amber teething necklaces are not recommended by the AAP; suffocation is the leading cause of death for children under a year, and the FDA warning followed an 18-month-old being strangled by an amber necklace during a nap ²¹.

Night waking, skipped feeds, and drool rash during teething

Two feeding facts hold up. In the Macknin study, decreased appetite for solid foods was associated with teething while decreased appetite for liquids was not ¹, and a later prospective study also found loss of appetite among the most frequent signs ²². If a breastfed baby refuses the nipple because the gums hurt, Mayo Clinic and the AAP both suggest offering expressed milk from a cup, spoon, or syringe for a short time ¹¹¹². Logging which feeds get skipped and for how long turns a vague worry into a pattern you can show your pediatrician. Our feeding tracker records a bottle with one tap, and our guide to what to track in the first year explains which logs pair with it.

Sleep is genuinely contested, and you deserve both sides. The meta-analysis and one prospective study found sleep disturbance statistically associated with eruption ¹⁷²². But a 2025 study of 849 infants monitored by auto-videosomnography over four weeks found no significant differences in sleep metrics between teething and nonteething nights, even though over half of parents reported disturbances; the authors concluded the findings challenge the belief that teething disrupts sleep ²³. An older cohort study likewise found no tooth-day sleep association ²⁴, and both Cleveland Clinic and the AAP symptom checker say teething discomfort is too mild to cause sleep problems ¹³¹². The honest summary: disrupted nights around a new tooth feel real to most parents, but objective evidence for a causal sleep effect is weak. If night waking stretches for weeks or comes with fever, stop attributing it to teeth.

Drool deserves its own note. Wipe your child’s face with a cloth to remove drool and prevent a facial rash ⁵. That rash sits around the mouth and chin. Diaper rash is a different story: the AAP and Cleveland Clinic both say teething does not cause it ¹⁰¹³. One pediatric source describes a plausible indirect path, swallowed saliva altering stool acidity and irritating skin, but it remains unproven ²⁵. If the diaper area is the problem, read our diaper rash guide instead; its causes, wetness, stool enzymes, and candida, are far better established.

When to call the doctor: the red lines

Memorize these, because every one of them means the cause is not teething:

1. Any fever at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). Rectal readings are the most reliable for infants ¹⁶. Any fever in a baby under 3 months is an emergency: go to the ER or call your pediatrician immediately ²⁶.
2. Fever that will not quit. Call promptly if a fever lasts more than 24 hours in a baby under 2 years ²⁶; Cleveland Clinic phrases it as more than three days or not improving with medication ¹³. Seek emergency care above 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) ¹³.
3. Refusal to feed plus dehydration signs. Watch for fewer than six wet diapers a day, no wet diapers for 6 to 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken soft spot or eyes, unusual sleepiness, or cool, discolored hands and feet ²⁷²⁶.
4. A baby who looks or acts very sick. Unconsolable crying, trouble eating, drinking, or sleeping, diarrhea, vomiting, or symptoms that worsen all warrant a call ¹¹¹².
5. Gum bumps that misbehave. An eruption cyst looks like a bluish or clear bump on the gums and is often painless. Tell your provider if it bleeds, causes pain, oozes pus, or lasts longer than two weeks ²⁸.

First tooth means first toothbrush, and a dentist by age 1

Start brushing as soon as the first tooth erupts, twice a day, usually after breakfast and before bed ²⁹. Use a soft brush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice until age 3, then a pea-sized amount; the AAP, ADA, and AAPD agree on this, and the CDC concurs ²³⁰³¹. Before teeth arrive, wiping the gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth is enough ³². Ask your dentist or pediatrician about fluoride varnish once teeth are in ².

The first dental visit comes within 6 months of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age, whichever comes first ⁸. The pediatric dentistry guideline phrases it as referral as early as 6 months of age, 6 months after the first tooth erupts, and no later than 12 months, with every child established in a dental home by 12 months ³³.

Frequently asked questions

When do babies start teething?

Usually around 6 months, with a normal range of about 3 to 12 months. The lower front teeth almost always come first, then the upper front teeth ²³.

What order do baby teeth come in?

Lower central incisors, upper central incisors, other incisors, first molars, canines, then second molars, usually in pairs with lower teeth preceding uppers ⁴⁸.

Can teething cause a fever?

No. Teething may raise temperature slightly, to about 99 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but it does not cause a true fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher. A fever means something else is going on ¹⁴¹¹.

Can teething cause diarrhea or diaper rash?

No direct link is established. Teething does not change how the gut works, and both the AAP and Cleveland Clinic say it does not cause diaper rash ¹⁰¹³. An indirect saliva-swallowing mechanism has been proposed but is unproven ²⁵.

How long does teething fussiness last?

Mild fussiness tends to peak in the days right before a tooth breaks through and usually improves within three to four days ¹³. Fussiness stretching far beyond that, or paired with fever, deserves a call to your pediatrician.

What is the safest way to soothe teething pain?

Gum massage with a clean finger first, then a chilled, not frozen, firm-rubber teether or damp washcloth ⁸¹¹. Pain medicine only as a one-to-two-day backup dosed by weight: acetaminophen from about 3 months, ibuprofen from 6 months ⁴¹¹.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

No. The AAP does not recommend any jewelry for infants because of strangulation and choking risk, and the FDA warning followed a toddler’s strangulation death during a nap ²¹.

When should my baby first see a dentist?

Within 6 months of the first tooth and no later than the first birthday ⁸. Start brushing with the first tooth: twice daily, rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste until age 3 ²⁹.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every baby is different. Always consult your pediatrician with questions about your baby’s teething, growth, or health.

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Footnotes

1. Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C, “Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study,” Pediatrics 2000;105(4):747-752. Source ↩ ↩²

2. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Baby’s First Tooth: 7 Facts Parents Should Know,” by Dina DiMaggio, MD, FAAP and Julie Cernigliaro, DMD, published Nov. 19, 2022. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

3. Blueberry Pediatrics, “When Do Babies Start Teething? Signs, Timeline, and How to Soothe Sore Gums,” medically reviewed by Dr. Melissa Tribuzio, MD, July 26, 2026. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³

4. Cleveland Clinic, “Teething (Teething Syndrome): Symptoms and Tooth Eruption Chart,” last updated May 24, 2023. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

5. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), “Teething,” review date Oct. 20, 2024. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³

6. American Dental Association, “Primary Tooth Development” (Baby Teeth Eruption Chart), copyright 2012. Source ↩

7. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “Dental Growth and Development,” The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry 2025. Source ↩

8. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “When Does Teething Start?,” updated June 26, 2024. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

9. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), “Tooth formation - delayed or absent,” review date Feb. 5, 2026. Source ↩

10. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Teething Pain Relief: How to Soothe Your Baby’s Discomfort,” published July 9, 2025. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵

11. Mayo Clinic, “Teething: Tips for soothing sore gums,” published Dec. 21, 2024. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰

12. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Teething” (KidsDoc Symptom Checker), by Barton Schmitt, MD, FAAP, copyright 2000-2025 Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

13. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, “Teething Doesn’t Cause Fevers, and Other Myths To Sink Your Teeth Into,” by Lisa Diard, MD, published Feb. 25, 2026. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷

14. Blueberry Pediatrics, “Can Teething Cause a Fever? What Pediatricians Want Parents to Know,” medically reviewed by Dr. Melissa Tribuzio, MD, July 2026. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³

15. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Care,” The Reference Manual of Pediatric Dentistry 2025. Source ↩

16. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Fever and Your Baby,” published Sept. 23, 2025. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³

17. Massignan C, Cardoso M, Porporatti AL, et al., “Signs and Symptoms of Primary Tooth Eruption: A Meta-analysis,” Pediatrics 2016;137(3):e20153501. Source ↩ ↩²

18. Nemezio MA, De Oliveira KMH, Romualdo PC, et al., “Association between Fever and Primary Tooth Eruption: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis,” International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry 2017;10(3):293-298. Source ↩

19. Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials, “How Can You Soothe Your Baby’s Teething Pain?,” by Lisa Diard, MD, published Aug. 31, 2026. Source ↩ ↩²

20. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, “Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children,” updated June 26, 2024. Source ↩ ↩²

21. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Teething Necklaces and Beads: A Caution for Parents,” updated Dec. 20, 2018. Source ↩ ↩²

22. Ramos-Jorge J, Pordeus IA, Ramos-Jorge ML, Paiva SM, “Prospective longitudinal study of signs and symptoms associated with primary tooth eruption,” Pediatrics 2011;128(3):471-476. Source ↩ ↩²

23. Kahn M, Lucchini M, Oster E, et al., “Does Teething Disrupt Infant Sleep? A Longitudinal Auto-Videosomnography Study,” Journal of Pediatrics 2025;279:114461. Source ↩

24. Wake M, Hesketh K, Lucas J, “Teething and tooth eruption in infants: A cohort study,” Pediatrics 2000;106(6):1374-1379. Source ↩

25. Blueberry Pediatrics, “Diaper Rash Caused By Teething? Everything You Need to Know,” medically reviewed by Dr. Lyndsey Garbi, MD, April 2026. Source ↩ ↩²

26. Blueberry Pediatrics, “Baby Fever: When to Worry and What to Do,” medically reviewed by Dr. Melissa Tribuzio, MD, May 2026. Source ↩ ↩² ↩³

27. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Signs of Dehydration in Infants and Children,” updated Sept. 24, 2019. Source ↩

28. Cleveland Clinic, “Eruption Cyst: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment,” last updated July 10, 2025. Source ↩

29. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Toothbrushing Tips for Young Children,” updated May 14, 2025. Source ↩ ↩²

30. American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org), “Fluoride for Children: Parent FAQs,” updated Apr. 24, 2025. Source ↩

31. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “About Dental Fluorosis,” last reviewed May 15, 2024. Source ↩

32. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Oral Health Tips for Children,” last reviewed May 15, 2024. Source ↩

33. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “Policy on the Dental Home,” adopted 2004, revised 2012. Source ↩