When Do Babies Start Teething And How Parents Know It’s Happening

The Night Emma Realized Something Was Changing

Emma still remembers the exact moment she knew something was off. It was 2:14 a.m., the glow of the baby monitor lighting up her phone, and her usually peaceful six-month-old, Noah, was wide awake, red-cheeked, and furious. He wasn’t hungry. He wasn’t wet. He just kept chewing on his sleeve like it had personally offended him.

As Emma rocked him, she felt it, a tiny ridge under her finger, barely there but unmistakable. Her heart raced. Is this teething? Already? Is he in pain? Am I missing something?

If you’ve ever found yourself Googling “when do babies start teething” in the middle of the night, clutching a sleepy baby who suddenly seems uncomfortable in their own body, you’re not alone. Teething is one of the first big developmental milestones that reminds parents just how fast everything changes.

What Teething Really Is, Beneath The Surface

Teething sounds simple, teeth come in, baby drools, life moves on. But under the gums, it’s more like a slow-moving construction project. Long before you see a tooth, your baby’s body has already started the work.

Most babies start teething between 4 and 7 months, but the timeline is famously unpredictable. Some babies show signs as early as 3 months, while others wait until after their first birthday. And yes, both can be completely normal.

Think of teeth like guests waiting backstage. They’ve been there since before birth, just waiting for the right moment to step into the spotlight. As they move upward, they put pressure on the gums, which explains the swelling, tenderness, and general crankiness parents notice.

This is often when parents first ask about infant oral health exams, because even before teeth erupt, those gums matter more than you might think. A gentle check can help you understand what’s normal for your baby’s stage and what deserves a closer look. You can learn more about those early visits here.

The First Teeth, And Why They Almost Always Surprise You

Emma assumed teething would be obvious. Fever, nonstop crying, sleepless nights. What she didn’t expect was how subtle it started. A little extra drool. A sudden fascination with biting toys. A baby who went from smiling during diaper changes to glaring like she’d betrayed him.

Usually, the lower front teeth appear first, followed by the upper front teeth. These are called incisors, and they tend to show up between 6 and 10 months. Molars and canines take their time, sometimes not arriving until toddlerhood.

Here’s the surprising part. Symptoms don’t always match eruption timing. Babies can be miserable weeks before a tooth breaks through, then perfectly happy once it does. Or they might cut a tooth with barely a whimper, leaving parents wondering what all the fuss was about online.

That unpredictability is why pediatric dentists often say your baby’s behavior matters more than the calendar.

Signs Parents Notice Before Anyone Mentions Teeth

Emma started connecting dots she hadn’t even realized were dots. The soaked bibs. The refusal to nurse on one side. The sudden interest in gnawing on wooden toys, silicone spoons, and honestly, anything within reach.

Common teething symptoms include increased drooling, swollen gums, irritability, disrupted sleep, and chewing behaviors. Some babies also tug at their ears or rub their cheeks, which can feel alarming if you’re worried about ear infections.

Here’s what surprises many parents. Teething does not typically cause high fever, diarrhea, or severe illness. If your baby seems truly unwell, that’s your cue to pause the teething assumption and talk with a healthcare provider.

Understanding what’s normal versus what’s coincidental can save you a lot of unnecessary stress.