It can be difficult to notice signs of teething, as other issues your baby may be having can cause similar symptoms. The age range for when your baby may begin teething is quite broad, anywhere from three months to a year, so it's impossible to know when to look for those first signs of teething. There are ways to tell if it's teething or something else; it just takes a little parental detective work.
Teething Symptoms
The number one symptom of teething is fussiness. The discomfort of new teeth pushing their way through tender gums can make some babies quite cranky. However, this symptom alone is not enough to indicate teething, as there are many other things that can make a baby fussy. If your baby is unusually cranky, and you suspect teething may be the cause, look for further evidence of tooth eruption, such as excessive drooling or inflamed gums. Teething babies will seek out things to bite and chew, as the counter pressure on the gums from chewing can relieve the discomfort of teething.
Treatments for Teething
Once you've determined that your baby is cutting those first teeth, what can you do? First of all, remember that during this time, your baby needs to bite and chew and will likely put anything and everything into his mouth. Be sure to provide him with plenty of safe biting options, such as teething rings and toys, crib teething guards, clean washcloths or even frozen bagels. Be sure to keep anything you don't want him to mouth out of her reach.
If your baby seems particularly uncomfortable, you can try soothing his pain with over-the-counter teething remedies, such as teething tablets or numbing gels. Sometimes it helps to distract a fussy teething baby with a little change of scenery. Try taking him for a walk, or for a ride in the car, to take his mind off of his teeth. Also keep in mind that the teething process is different for every child. Some babies are miserable for months before a tooth ever appears, while other babies will not show any signs of teething until you finally notice those little pearly whites sprouting from their gums.
Once those precious little teeth do make their debut, it's important to begin caring for them immediately. Clean them regularly with an infant toothbrush and baby-safe toothpaste, to keep those new little teeth healthy and strong.
 | Not every baby has teething symptoms, and they can be worse in some babies than they are in others. Find out what to look for and when symptoms could indicate an illness rather than teething. |
 | There's no simple answer to the question of when do babies start teething, but there are some general guidelines. |
With the start of teething comes an overwhelming urge to chew in many babies. Watch what your child chews, or you could wind up at the hospital. |
Find out about different methods of easing teething pain and when to use them. |
Homeopathic teething tablets get rave reviews from some parents, but do they actually work? |
