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Milk Teeth in Babies: Timeline, Symptoms, and Care Tips

ByDr. Furqan Aamer
Updated: 21 Aug 2026, 11:00 am
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Rajat Grover, Consultant – Neonatology & Paediatrics, Cloudnine Group of Hospitals

That first tiny white edge poking through your baby's gum is more than a milestone; it marks the start of a two-and-a-half-year process that shapes how your child eats, speaks, and smiles. Continue reading to learn the milk teeth eruption timeline, common teething symptoms, and safe home care tips for parents, and when to consult a paediatrician.

Pregatips
Milk teeth in babies, also called primary or deciduous teeth, typically begin erupting around 6 months of age and are usually complete by age 3, with the lower central incisors appearing first. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that a first tooth can appear anywhere between 3 months and 1 year of age, and both extremes are considered normal. Babies get a full set of 20 milk teeth: 10 on the upper jaw and 10 on the lower jaw, which erupt in pairs, roughly four teeth every six months. These teeth hold space for permanent teeth, aid chewing and speech development, and support jaw growth, making their timely care essential from the first tooth itself.
In this article:

When Do Babies Start Teething? (Eruption Timeline by Age)

Milk teeth generally follow the order below:

  • 6–10 months: Lower central incisors (usually the first to appear)
  • 8–12 months: Upper central incisors
  • 9–16 months: Lateral incisors (upper and lower)
  • 13–19 months: First molars
  • 16–23 months: Canines (cuspids)
  • 23–33 months: Second molars
Lower teeth tend to erupt before their upper counterparts. Eruption within four to five months of these averages is still considered normal; a gap of six months or more from the expected age warrants a paediatric dental check.

What Are the Common Symptoms of Teething in Infants?

Teething symptoms vary from child to child, but commonly include:

  • Swollen, tender, or reddened gums
  • Increased drooling
  • Irritability or disrupted sleep
  • Chewing or gnawing on fingers, toys, or fists
  • Mild rise in temperature (below 100.4°F)
  • Reduced appetite for solids
Teething does not cause high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, or rashes. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) attributes these symptoms to other illnesses that coincide with the teething age window, not teething itself. If your baby has a fever above 38°C (100.4°F) or persistent loose motions, consult a paediatrician rather than attributing it to teething.

How Can Parents Soothe a Teething Baby at Home?

A few safe, doctor-approved measures can ease teething discomfort:

  • Cold relief: Offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or a cold, damp washcloth to chew on.
  • Gentle gum massage: Rub the gums gently with a clean finger for a few minutes.
  • Chilled food: For babies already on solids, cold yoghurt, mashed banana, or chilled fruit puree can ease discomfort.
  • Extra comfort: Increased cuddling and a consistent sleep routine help babies cope with disturbed nights.
  • Pain relief: Paracetamol may be used only on a paediatrician's advice and at the prescribed dose for the baby's weight.
Avoid teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine flagged as unsafe by the US FDA and AAP due to toxicity risks.

Homemade remedies like rubbing sugar, honey, or asafoetida on the gums, common in Indian households, are not recommended, as honey carries a botulism risk in infants under one year and sugar can encourage early tooth decay.

How Should Parents Care for a Baby's First Teeth?

Oral care should begin before the first tooth appears. Wipe the gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds from birth.

Once the first tooth erupts, brush twice daily with a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste (as recommended by the IAP and AAP for children under 3).

Schedule the first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by the first birthday, whichever comes first. Avoid bottle-feeding at night once teeth appear, as prolonged milk contact increases the risk of early childhood caries, a concern noted in several paediatric dental studies given the common practice of night-time bottle feeds.

Milk teeth may be temporary, but their health directly affects a child's nutrition, speech, and the alignment of permanent teeth, making early attention to eruption and care worth a parent's time.

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FAQs on Milk Teeth in Babies: Timeline, Symptoms, and Care Tips

  1. At what age do babies usually get their first tooth?
    Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months of age, though anywhere from 4 to 12 months is considered normal.
  2. Does teething cause fever and diarrhoea?
    No. Teething may cause a mild temperature rise, but high fever, diarrhoea, or vomiting are signs of illness, not teething, and need medical attention.
  3. Which tooth comes in first for babies?
    The lower central incisors, the two bottom front teeth, are usually the first milk teeth to erupt.
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