Quick answer: Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, usually a lower front tooth. Some start as early as 4 months and others not until 12 months or later, and both can be normal. Early signs include drooling, chewing on things, sore gums and fussiness. Gentle gum massage and clean, age-appropriate teethers are the safest first choices. Avoid numbing gels, amber necklaces and home remedies like clove oil unless your doctor advises otherwise.

If your baby has been drooling, chewing on everything in sight and fussing more than usual, you may be wondering whether teething has begun. Every baby follows their own timetable, but knowing what is typical makes it much easier to stay calm and choose safe ways to help.

The Age Babies Usually Start Teething

Most babies get their first tooth at about 6 months. The usual range is roughly 4 to 7 months, but some babies start earlier and others not until 12 months or later. Late teething is common and is often simply a family pattern.

The lower front teeth (lower central incisors) normally come first, at about 6 to 10 months, followed by the upper front teeth at about 8 to 12 months. A few babies are born with a tooth or cut one in the first months. Any tooth present at birth or very early in infancy should be checked by a doctor or dentist. If there are no teeth by about 18 months, ask your paediatrician or a paediatric dentist.

Early Signs of Teething

Many babies show signs a few weeks before a tooth appears. Common signs include:

• Drooling more than usual, sometimes with a chin rash

• Chewing or gnawing on fingers, toys and clothes

• Red, swollen or tender gums

• Fussiness or crying, often worse in the evening

• Rubbing cheeks or pulling at ears

• Wanting to feed more or less than usual

• Slightly disturbed sleep

Drooling and putting things in the mouth often begin around 3 to 4 months. This is part of normal development, even though the first tooth usually arrives later.

Teething Timeline: Month by Month

Every baby is different. These are typical ages, not deadlines, and a baby who is a few months ahead or behind is usually fine.

The usual order is: lower front teeth, upper front teeth, upper side teeth, lower side teeth, first molars, canines, then second molars. Discomfort around a single tooth usually lasts a few days, though a tooth can take days to weeks to fully break through the gum. All 20 baby teeth usually arrive by around 2.5 to 3 years.

How to Soothe a Teething Baby

Start with simple, gentle comfort measures:

• Gum massage: Wash your hands and rub your baby's gums gently with a clean finger.

• Clean and soft: Offer a clean, damp washcloth or a safe teether to chew on, and avoid very hard items that could hurt gums.

• Wipe the drool to protect the skin on the chin and neck.

• Extra comfort: Cuddles, a calm voice and distraction can help.

Soothing Your Baby at Night

1. Keep your usual bedtime routine, so your baby feels secure.

2. Gently massage the gums before bed.

3. Offer a clean teether or cloth while you are with them.

4. Hold and comfort your baby if they wake, and keep the room dim and quiet.

5. Never leave a baby alone with a teether or cloth in the cot, and never tie anything around the neck.

If your baby seems in real pain, talk to your paediatrician about pain relief.

Pain Relief and Over-the-Counter Options

Start with non-medicine options: gum massage, a safe teether and comfort. If your baby is clearly in pain, your paediatrician may suggest a suitable pain reliever at a dose based on your baby's age and weight. Do not guess the dose. Check the product label and ask your doctor or pharmacist.

We do not recommend any teething gel. Some gels contain ingredients such as local anaesthetics (benzocaine, lidocaine) or salicylates, which health regulators advise against for babies and young children because of rare but serious risks. A gel also washes out of the mouth quickly, so any relief is short. Only use a gel if your paediatrician or dentist recommends a specific product.

Natural Remedies: What Is Safe and What to Avoid

Safe options are simple:

• A clean finger massage

• A clean, damp washcloth to chew on, with supervision

• A clean silicone teether

• For babies on solids, a soft food in a mesh or silicone feeder, always with supervision

Avoid these:

• Amber necklaces or bracelets: they pose a strangulation and choking risk, and there is no good evidence they work.

• Clove oil or other oils on gums: clove oil can be harmful to babies.

• Honey on gums or dummies for babies under 12 months.

• Alcohol or herbal pastes rubbed on gums.

• Homeopathic teething tablets or gels: health regulators have raised safety concerns about some of them.

"Organic" and "natural" on a label do not mean safe for babies. Look for materials stated clearly, such as food-grade silicone, and choose products made for babies of your child's age. Ask the brand for material and safety information if it is not listed.

Choosing Teething Toys and Teethers

Newborns and babies under about 3 months are not teething and do not need a teether. From around 3 to 4 months, babies start mouthing objects, and a simple teether can help. We do not rank individual products, since the best one is the one that is safe and that your baby will chew on. When choosing, check for:

• A one-piece design with no small parts that can come off

• Food-grade, BPA-free silicone or another baby-safe material, clearly stated

• Age labelling that matches your baby

• A shape that is easy for small hands and cannot go too far into the mouth

• No liquid-filled or cracked parts that might leak

• Easy cleaning, with manufacturer's wash and steriliser instructions

Wash teethers before first use and regularly afterwards. Replace any that are cracked, torn or sticky.

Types of Teethers Compared

A Note on Pacifiers

No pacifier is a teething treatment. Choose pacifiers that are one-piece, have ventilation holes, and are the right size for your baby's age, and check with your paediatrician if you have concerns about pacifier use.

Dodo Baby Dino Soothe Teether

The Dodo Baby Dino Soothe Teether combines a dinosaur design with an ergonomic shape for babies who are teething, and it is recommended for babies aged 3 months and above. Its main features, as stated on the product page:

• Multi-textured design: varied ridges and bumps on the dinosaur's back and tail are designed to massage sore gums and reach the back molars.

• Easy-to-hold shape: a lightweight, hollow-body design made for small hands to grasp and hold, which also supports motor skill development.

• Medical-grade silicone: soft on the skin and durable enough for chewing.

• One-piece mold: a seamless design with no joints or crevices where food and bacteria can collect.

• Sensory play: a 3D dino shape and calm colour palette that engage your baby's sight and touch.

• Easy sterilising: heat-resistant and safe for dishwashers, steam sterilisers and boiling water.

• Free from BPA, PVC and phthalates.

As with any teether, check it regularly for tears or damage, replace it if it is worn or cracked, and supervise your baby whenever they chew on it. Explore the Dodo Baby Dino Soothe Teether at dodobaby.in.

Foods for a Teething Baby

If your baby has started solids, usually around 6 months, soft foods can be easier to eat with sore gums:

• Soft fruit such as banana or melon, offered in a mesh or silicone feeder

• Smooth purées or plain yoghurt, if your baby has already had dairy

• Soft, cooked vegetables served at a safe size and texture

Avoid very hard or round foods that could cause choking, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. Always stay with your baby while they eat. See our guide on common baby feeding mistakes for choking safety tips, and when babies should start using a suction bowl for first-foods advice.

Caring for New Teeth

• Wipe your baby's gums with a clean, damp cloth before the first tooth.

• When the first tooth appears, brush it twice a day with a soft, baby-sized brush.

• Ask your dentist or paediatrician about fluoride toothpaste; a tiny, rice-grain-sized smear is commonly advised for young children.

• Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle, and limit sugary drinks.

• Book a first dental visit when the first tooth appears or by the first birthday.

When to Worry About Teething Symptoms

Teething does not usually cause a high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting or a body rash. Talk to your paediatrician or dentist if your baby:

• Has a fever of 38°C or higher, diarrhoea, vomiting or a rash

• Refuses feeds or has fewer wet nappies

• Has swollen, pus-filled or bleeding gums, or a tooth that looks discoloured

• Has been in significant pain for several days, or cannot be settled

• Has no teeth by about 18 months

• Has a tooth at birth or very early in infancy

These signs should not be put down to teething without a check. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, signs of dehydration, or if your baby is limp or very drowsy.

Where to Buy Teething Products in India

Teething toys are sold by brand websites, large online marketplaces and baby-care stores. Pharmacies and chemists stock medicines and gels, but you should only buy and use them on your doctor's advice. Wherever you shop:

• Buy from an authorised seller to avoid counterfeits

• Check material, age labelling and care instructions

• Read recent verified reviews

• Choose products that clearly state they are made for babies

Many Indian and international brands sell teethers and related items, so look at each brand's product page for materials and safety information. For treatment advice, ask your paediatrician or a paediatric dentist, who can advise on what is right for your baby. Clinics and their advice vary, so we do not name specific ones.

Final Thoughts

Teething is a normal stage that every baby goes through at their own pace. Keep soothing simple and safe, choose clean, age-appropriate teethers, protect those first teeth, and ask your doctor when symptoms seem more than teething. Explore Dodo Baby's feeding range at dodobaby.in.

About the Author

Written by Akrati Chaurasia, Founder of Dodo Baby. With 7+ years of experience in child development and EdTech education, Akrati is passionate about creating safe, thoughtfully designed baby products that make parenting easier. Dodo Baby is committed to premium, food-grade materials and honest guidance for modern parents.

Dodo Baby

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