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Medical Author:

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• Teething facts
• What is teething?
• When do babies start teething?
• What are the signs and symptoms of teething?
• What is the order of tooth eruption in infants?
• How long does teething last?
• When should I call the pediatrician?
• What medications are used to treat teething pain?
• What home remedies provide relief for teething pain?
• How do I care for my baby's new teeth?
• When should my child see the dentist?
• Teething Index

The following is the general order of eruption of primary teeth:

Central incisors: 6-12 months of age

Lateral incisors: 9-16 months of age

Canine teeth: 16-23 months of age

First molars: 13-19 months of age

Second molars: 22-24 months of age

Between 6 to 12 years of age, the roots of these 20 "baby" teeth degenerate, allowing their replacement with 32 permanent "adult" teeth. The third molars ("wisdom teeth") have no preceding "baby" version and generally erupt in mid to late adolescence. Because of their tendency to promote crowding and crooked orientation, they are often removed.

Children will commonly have variable discomfort during the few days before tooth eruption through the gum line. Some babies are bothered more than others during the migration through the tissues deep to the gum line. Because of their shape, molars are more likely to be associated with teething discomfort.

Because teething is so common and other symptoms such as fever, fussiness, and diarrhea are also common, both conditions may often occur at the same time. Other illnesses or disorders (such as viral infections) are much more likely to be causing fever, fussiness, and/or nasal congestion with cough and diarrhea. It is important to contact your doctor if these or other symptoms seem concerning to you. Do not assume that they are just from teething.