Between birth and two years old, your baby will develop at an extraordinary rate, and each of their milestones will be a new source of wonder for you. Discover with us the major stages of their development and how to interact with them to help stimulate their awakening.
The appearance of a baby's first teeth is often a moving moment for parents, but not always an easy one for the child! Pain, excessive drooling, red cheeks... teething is accompanied by a multitude of minor ailments that can be bothersome for your baby.
The arrival of baby's first teeth
The timing of teeth eruption varies greatly from one child to another. The first tooth generally appears before 6 months of age. However, it can appear as early as 4 months in some children (or even at birth in exceptional cases). Conversely, some 12-month-old babies may not yet have teeth, without this being a sign of poor development if no other anomaly is associated with it.
So be patient... When your baby starts biting their toys hard, constantly sucking their fingers, and drooling profusely, there's a good chance their first tooth is very near!
Teeth almost always appear in the same order in all babies.
Most often, teeth emerge in the following way:
Between 6 and 10 months: lower central incisors.
Between 8 and 12 months: upper central incisors.
Between 9 and 16 months: upper and lower lateral incisors.
Between 13 and 24 months: first premolars.
Between 16 and 23 months: canines.
Between 23 and 33 months: second premolars.
Thus, between 2 and a half and 3 years old, all 20 of your child's primary teeth should have erupted. They will then be settled until around 6 years old, when their adorable little baby teeth will begin to fall out to make way for permanent teeth.
The main signs of teething
The signs indicating teething vary from child to child. The eruption of a tooth is preceded by a more or less painful inflammation of the gum. The pain is due to the movement of the teeth in the jawbone, or their passage through the gum.
Teething can also be accompanied by a host of minor, non-serious problems, but sometimes annoying for your baby:
- Swollen, red, and sensitive gums
- Excessive salivation. This increased drooling protects the gum during eruption.
- One (or both) cheeks red and warm
- A grumpy mood: your child may be more irritable than usual and cry more easily
- Irritation around the mouth
- A diaper rash
- A slight fever (below 38°C)
- Disrupted sleep
- Temporary loss of appetite
However, be careful not to attribute everything to teething: if they are indeed linked to a tooth coming through, all these symptoms should subside quickly.
A fever above 38°C, seemingly excessive pain, diarrhea, vomiting, or a pale complexion should not be attributed to teething: if you have any doubt, consult your doctor.
Simple actions to soothe baby during teething
- Comfort and cuddle them. Remember to massage their whole body. This will relieve them, as your caresses will make them forget their pain.
- Gently and regularly wipe their face with a clean cloth. This will help prevent irritation from saliva.
- Offer them a clean, liquid-free teething ring that they can bite as they please. Some can be pre-chilled (but not frozen), as cold is beneficial for its slightly anesthetic power.
- Gently massage their gums with a perfectly clean finger, or with a clean, damp cloth.
- Give them cold foods suitable for their age (compotes, yogurts...).
And others to avoid
- Do not apply anesthetic products as they are dangerous. Baby can swallow them and they can decrease the swallowing reflex that allows them to swallow.
- Do not give them raw vegetables or fruits to bite, which could get stuck in their throat.
- Avoid using a teething necklace (such as an amber necklace)
- Teething biscuits are not recommended because they do not provide relief and contain sugar that can cause cavities.
- Finally, forget old wives' tales: never pierce your baby's gum to help the tooth come out. Do not rub it with alcohol or sugar to aid eruption.
When should you consult a doctor?
If the pain is too severe, if your child's temperature is above 38.5°C, if your baby has other symptoms or does not seem in their usual state, it is strongly advised to consult their doctor.
They can prescribe a soothing balm for you to massage your baby's gums, or a homeopathic preparation.
