One day your baby is happily feeding and napping, and the next they are chewing their fists, soaking every bib you own and waking more often than usual. If that sounds familiar, teething may be starting. It is a normal stage, but it can feel unsettling when you are not sure what is teething and what is something else.
Quick answer: The most common baby teething symptoms are extra drooling, chewing on hands and toys, red or swollen gums, a flushed cheek and more fussiness or broken sleep. Most babies cut their first tooth at around six months, although anywhere from a few months old to just after the first birthday is normal. Teething does not cause a high fever, so a temperature of 38°C or above needs to be looked at separately.
What Are the Most Common Baby Teething Symptoms?
Every baby experiences teething differently. Some barely grumble, while others seem uncomfortable for days before a tooth appears.
- Drooling: more saliva than usual, sometimes enough to cause a mild rash around the chin or neck.
- Gnawing and chewing: fists, fingers, toys, the edge of the cot, even your shoulder.
- Sore, red or swollen gums: you may see a small bump or a white edge where the tooth is about to break through.
- A flushed cheek: often on the side where a tooth is coming.
- Irritability and clinginess: especially in the evenings.
- Rubbing the ear on the same side: gum discomfort can be felt around the jaw and ear.
- Disturbed sleep or fussier feeds: sucking can briefly make sore gums feel worse.
A slightly raised temperature can happen, but mainstream guidance is clear that teething does not cause a true fever, diarrhoea or a heavy cold. If your baby seems properly unwell, trust your instincts and speak to your paediatrician rather than putting it down to teeth.
When Do Babies Start Teething? A Typical Timeline
The first tooth usually appears at around six months, but the range is wide. A few babies are born with a tooth, some get one before four months, and others are still gummy after their first birthday. Late teething alone is rarely a concern.
Most children have all 20 milk teeth by around two and a half to three years. The order below is typical, but plenty of babies do things their own way.
| Teeth | Approximate age they appear |
|---|---|
| Bottom front teeth (lower central incisors) | 6 to 10 months |
| Top front teeth (upper central incisors) | 8 to 12 months |
| Top side teeth (upper lateral incisors) | 9 to 13 months |
| Bottom side teeth (lower lateral incisors) | 10 to 16 months |
| First molars | 13 to 19 months |
| Canines | 16 to 23 months |
| Second molars | 23 to 33 months |
Teething often overlaps with other big changes, such as starting solids and new motor skills. Our guide to baby milestones month by month can help you see how it all fits together.
Baby Teething Symptoms or Something Else? When to Call Your Paediatrician
Because baby teething symptoms are so general, it is easy to blame teeth for everything. Teething is a gradual, mild process, so symptoms that feel more intense usually have another cause. Contact your paediatrician if your baby:
- has a temperature of 38°C or higher (or any raised temperature if they are under three months old)
- has diarrhoea, vomiting or is refusing feeds
- has fewer wet nappies than usual or seems drowsy and hard to settle
- pulls at an ear alongside a fever, or has a rash that does not fade
- seems in more pain than you would expect, or you simply feel something is not right
In an emergency in the UAE, call 998 for an ambulance.
Gentle Ways to Soothe a Teething Baby
You cannot speed up a tooth, but you can take the edge off the discomfort. Simple, drug-free comfort measures are the first thing most paediatricians suggest.
Give them something safe to chew
Firm pressure on the gums is what most babies are looking for. A well-made teether gives them something to gnaw that is designed for small mouths. The Turtees double-sided rattle teether has a teether on one side and a rattle on the other, so it doubles as a distraction when they are grizzly. For a natural-material option, the wooden peacock rattle has a built-in teether at the top and bottom; wipe it clean rather than soaking it.
Older babies who are starting to sit and grab often enjoy the soft silicone castle stacking toy. It is safe to mouth and chew, and stacking the pieces builds fine motor skills at the same time.
Try cool, not frozen
A teether chilled in the fridge can feel lovely on sore gums. Avoid freezing teethers solid, as very cold, hard surfaces can hurt delicate gums. A clean, damp muslin cooled in the fridge is another easy option.
Rub their gums
With a clean finger, gently massage the sore area for a minute or two. Many babies find this calming.
Protect their skin from drool
Wipe the chin gently and often, pat dry, and use a barrier cream if a drool rash appears. Frequent bib changes help, particularly in the warm UAE weather when skin can stay damp.
Offer extra cuddles and comfort feeds
Extra feeds and cuddles are normal, and routines often wobble for a few days before settling again.
Teething Remedies to Avoid
Some popular remedies are not recommended by health authorities. It is worth knowing which ones to skip:
- Amber or bead teething necklaces and bracelets: these carry a real risk of choking and strangulation.
- Numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine: not advised for babies and young children.
- Homeopathic teething tablets or gels: there is no good evidence they work, and some have raised safety concerns.
- Hard foods as teethers: pieces can break off and cause choking.
If your baby is very uncomfortable, ask your paediatrician or pharmacist whether age-appropriate pain relief is suitable and what dose to use.
First-Tooth Brushing: Starting Good Habits Early
As soon as that first tooth appears, it is time to start brushing. Milk teeth can decay, and getting used to a brush now makes toddler toothbrushing easier later.
- Brush twice a day, including last thing before bed.
- Use a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice, for children under three. Ask your paediatrician or dentist which strength suits your child.
- Choose a soft, baby-sized brush. The Turtees 3-sided baby toothbrush has soft bristles that clean the front, back and top of each tooth at once, with an easy-grip handle and a safety stopper.
- Keep it relaxed. Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you, sing a song, and let them hold a brush of their own.
- Spit, do not rinse. As they get older, encourage spitting out the extra toothpaste rather than rinsing it away.
Plan a first dental visit around your baby's first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Many UAE dental clinics are happy to see little ones for a quick, friendly check.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do teething symptoms last for each tooth?
Discomfort usually builds for a few days before a tooth breaks through and eases soon after. Some babies have short bursts of fussiness, while others are unsettled for a little longer, especially with the larger molars.
Can teething cause a fever?
Teething may cause a slight rise in temperature, but not a true fever. If your baby has a temperature of 38°C or more, look for another cause and speak to your paediatrician.
Why is my baby drooling but no tooth has appeared?
Babies start drooling more from around three to four months as their salivary glands develop, often well before any teeth arrive. Drooling on its own does not always mean a tooth is imminent.
Is it normal for teething to disturb sleep?
Yes, broken sleep is one of the most common baby teething symptoms. Keep your bedtime routine consistent, offer comfort, and expect sleep to settle once the tooth is through.
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
As soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft baby toothbrush and a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or paediatrician.
Teething is a phase, and it does pass. With a few safe things to chew, plenty of cuddles and a gentle brushing habit, you can help your baby through each new tooth. If you would like to put together a small teething kit, you can browse our teethers and baby toothbrushes, with fast delivery across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.
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