Baby Teething: Signs, Timeline & How to Soothe It Safely: An Indian Parent's Guide

Most babies begin teething at around 6 months, but it can start as early as 3 months, and the first teeth to come in are usually the two bottom front teeth. Classic signs are drooling, gum rubbing, chewing, and mild fussiness. The best ways to relieve sore gums are easy. A gum massage with a clean finger, a chilled (not frozen) solid teether, a cold washcloth, and extra cuddles. What to avoid, and this is important: Teething necklaces, benzocaine or lidocaine gels, homoeopathic teething tablets are all considered unsafe by health authorities. And one myth to bust up front: teething does not cause high fever or diarrhoea. If your baby has these, it means something else; call your doctor. 

Teething months can be a tender stretch. All that drool, the chewing of everything in reach, the broken nights. The good news is that it’s a phase and a few safe and simple comforts really do make a difference: That's all you need to know. 

When does teething start?

The first teeth, or primary teeth, usually come in between 6 and 10 months, but some babies will have the discomfort weeks or months before, sometimes even around 3 months. According to the American Academy of Paediatrics, teething is when the teeth break through the gums. Babies are born with all of their primary teeth already in their jaws. By the time your child is 3 years old, he or she will have all 20. 

Every baby develops on their own schedule, so avoid making comparisons. An early teether is perfectly normal. A late teether is perfectly normal. 

The order teeth usually come in

The lower central incisors - the two front teeth on the bottom are typically first, followed by the top front teeth. Here's the usual sequence, with approximate ages: 

These are ranges, not deadlines; arriving a little earlier or later is completely normal. 

Signs your baby is teething

Some babies sail through teething with barely a sign; others let you know clearly. Common signs include: 

• More drooling than usual

• Gum-rubbing, chewing, and biting on fingers, toys, or anything to hand 

• Mild irritability or fussiness

• A low-grade temperature

• Disrupted sleep, since sore gums can wake a baby 

• Changes in feeding - some babies feed less; others want to chew more 

• Sometimes cheek-rubbing or ear-pulling on the side a tooth is coming through 

The big myth to bust: What teething does NOT cause

This is the most important part of the whole guide, because the wrong assumption here can delay care. Teething is often blamed for things it doesn't actually cause. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, teething does not cause the following: 

• High fever. You may have a low-grade, mild temperature, but if you have a fever of 38.3°C (101°F) or higher, it is not teething. 
• Diarrhoea or vomiting. Teething doesn’t change the way your baby’s gut works. 
• A cold, cough or nasal congestion. 
• Rash on the body. 

These can all be symptoms of an infection or other disease. If your baby has a high temperature, has had diarrhoea for more than a day, is being sick or has a cough, treat it as an illness and call your paediatrician; don’t dismiss it as teething and wait. 

How to Soothe Baby Teething Safely 

The most effective comforts are also the simplest, happily: 

• Massage your baby’s gums. Rub a clean finger on the sore gum, gently but firmly - it works better than most parents think. 
• A teether that is cool (not frozen). Chill a firm rubber or silicone teething ring in the fridge to soothe sore gums. Never freeze it. Surfaces frozen hard can bruise delicate gums. 
• Cold, damp cloth. Wet it, wring it out, chill for 10 to 15 minutes and let your baby chew it (with you watching). 
• Cool soft foods. For babies already on solids, a little cold purée or yoghurt can be soothing. Always supervise to prevent choking. 
• Sucking and cuddles. Many babies go through the discomfort and feel secure through feeding and good old physical comfort. 
• Wipe away the drool often and gently to prevent a drool rash forming around the mouth and chin. 
• Pain relief only when needed – and only after asking your paediatrician about infant paracetamol. As a first step, don't reach for it. 

What Not To Do - And Why

This is the area where parents receive the most mixed messages, so here’s what the health authorities are clear about.

• Teething necklaces (amber or bead). The FDA warns against them because of strangulation and choking risks. Never put anything around your baby's neck for teething. 

• Benzocaine or lidocaine gels. The FDA warns these offer little to no benefit and carry serious risks for babies and young children - including dangerous blood and heart effects. Don't use them.

• Homeopathic teething tablets and gels. The FDA has flagged these as potentially dangerous to children. Skip them. 

• Liquid- or water-filled teethers. These can break and leak, so a solid teether is the safer choice. 

• Never tie a teether to your baby's wrist, neck, or cot - it's a strangulation hazard. 

Caring for those first teeth

Oral care starts with the first tooth that pops through. Use a soft baby toothbrush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day to clean it. Don't give your baby sugary drinks and never put your baby to bed with a bottle, which pools milk against new teeth. And, according to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, make your baby’s first dental appointment by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears. 

Also Read: Early oral care habits every parent should know

When to call your doctor or dentist

Reach out to a doctor or dentist if your baby has a high fever, diarrhoea or vomiting; is refusing to feed or showing signs of dehydration (fewer wet nappies); seems unusually unwell; or has symptoms that go beyond mild teething. If no teeth have appeared by about 18 months, it is also worth mentioning to your paediatrician. With babies, calling is always the right move if something feels off.

How to Choose a Safe Teether 

The right teether can help ease sore gums when your baby starts chewing on anything within arm’s reach. Choose a good teether made of food-grade, BPA-free silicone or natural rubber. It should be easy for little hands to hold, have different textures to massage the gums, and be easy to clean. Stay away from liquid-filled teethers that can leak or break. A teether that’s been chilled in the fridge is great, but never freeze it. 

Where Mee Mee fits

Once your baby is reaching the chewing stage (usually from around 3–4 months), a safe, solid teether is one of the kindest things you can offer: 

• Mee Mee Multi-Textured Silicone Teether - made from soft, food-grade, BPA-free silicone, with textured surfaces that gently massage sore gums and easy-grip shapes (like the fish and flower designs) sized for little hands. It's dishwasher- and steriliser-safe, so it's easy to keep clean. 

• Mee Mee Multi-Textured Double Silicone Teether - a solid silicone teether you can pop in the fridge for a cooling effect, which fits the "chilled, not frozen" rule perfectly. 

Safe-use habits to develop include: chilling teethers in the fridge (never the freezer), washing or sterilising them between uses, supervising your baby while they chew, and never tying a teether around their neck or wrist. 

Looking for safe ways to soothe sore gums? As your baby’s first teeth begin to break through the gums, discover Mee Mee’s thoughtfully designed silicone teethers that are easy to clean, simple to hold and gentle on little gums. 

FAQs

At what age do babies begin teething? 

About 6 months is the usual time, but discomfort can start as early as 3 months, and the first teeth can erupt any time between about 6 and 10 months. Every baby develops differently. 

How long does teething last? 

Each tooth comes through and is uncomfortable for a few days, and the whole process - all 20 teeth - continues in waves, not constantly, until about age 3. 

Is a fever caused by teething? 

Teething does not cause a high fever (38.3 °C/101 °F or higher), but a low-grade, mild temperature may occur. If there is a true fever, it could be a sign of illness, and you should call your physician. 

What is the safest for teething pain? 

A clean-finger gum massage, a cold (not frozen) solid teether, a cold washcloth and cuddles. Talk to your paediatrician before you give any pain relief to your baby. 

Are teething gels or amber necklaces safe?

Nope. The FDA is warning about benzocaine/lidocaine gels, homeopathic teething tablets and teething necklaces because of the choking and strangulation risks. 

When do I begin to brush my baby’s teeth?

Once the first tooth appears, brush it twice a day with a soft brush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste. By age 1, take your child to the dentist. 

Can I refrigerate or freeze a teether?

You can refrigerate a teether for a soothing cooling effect for your baby, but don’t put it in the freezer. A frozen teether is too hard and can hurt delicate gums instead of providing relief from baby teething discomfort.