Getting teeth is an important milestone in a baby’s life. But when do baby's teeth come in? This rite of passage usually happens over time rather than as a one-time event. Tooth buds begin forming underneath your baby’s gum even before birth. Going from gummy to a mouthful of teeth can take as much as three years to achieve, and this still varies for each child. Be sure to record and make a deal of the exciting day when baby’s first tooth appears.

When Do Baby’s Teeth Come In?

For most babies, the first teeth appear between four and seven months. A baby may get his first tooth from as early as three months, while, on the other extreme, another baby may have to wait until he’s a year or older. Being born with visible teeth is a rare though possible phenomenon.

On the right is a picture about teething in baby which explicitly shows what tooth comes in or is lost at what age.Your baby’s budding teeth usually form in pairs. The central incisors usually pop out first; these are the two front teeth at the bottom, and then those at the top. By age three, baby’s full set of primary teeth should be formed. When he is between four and six years old these “baby teeth” will be replaced by permanent teeth.

Teething Symptoms

There is an ongoing debate by experts as to the actual existence of teething symptoms. Some experts say that signs such as diarrhea and fussiness might just happen to show up during the teething times.However, many parents maintain that they indeed notice certain changes in their babies while primary teeth are coming in. While some babies may experience one or more signs of discomfort, still others will go through teething painlessly. A baby who is developing teeth may experience any one or more of the following symptoms which might help you to know the answer to the question "When do baby's teeth come in?"

• Drooling
• Irritability
• Swollen or sensitive gums
• Tendency to bite
• Not wanting to eat
• Difficulty sleeping

Different experts have varying opinions on the symptoms related to teething. For example, although some parents state loose stools, fever or a runny nose to developing teeth, many experts do not agree. However, pediatrician William Sears, author of The Baby Book, does agree that the extra saliva and drooling can actually contribute to the loose stools when the saliva drains into the stomach. He also believes that the swollen gums may be a contributing factor to a mild fever.

What You Can Do During the Process

There is nothing you can do to make your baby’s teeth appear any faster, but you may be able to help her feel a little more comfortable.

• Give baby something cool or soft to chew on. This can be a rubbery chew toy or a washcloth. Cooling these in the refrigerator can help to soothe the swelling in his gums. Foods such as fruit sauce or yoghurt can also be helpful.
• Massage baby’s gums. This can help to ease her discomfort by providing opposing pressure to that of the tooth below the gums. Be sure to wash hands carefully before rubbing her gums gently yet firmly with your fingers.
• Keep baby’s teeth clean. Use a toothbrush recommended for babies to brush the new teeth as soon as they appear. Smear the brush lightly with toothpaste which contains fluoride. You may increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea sized dollop when your child reaches 2 years old.
• Avoid putting baby to bed with a bottle. Please remember to take care of the new teeth to prevent tooth decay. These are conditions which are commonly called “bottle rot” or “baby-bottle tooth decay”. You don’t go to sleep with food in your mouth and neither should your baby.