As you might imagine, there is no average age when a baby's teeth start to appear. In fact, some babies are born with one or two teeth already visible. Typically between the ages of four and seven months, you will notice your child's first tooth pushing through the gum. Before a tooth sprouts, the overlying gum may become red and swollen. The lower front teeth are usually the first to appear. About every four months, the next group of teeth will appear. By the time the child is three years old, all 20 deciduous teeth will have spouted. The process of teething is often hereditary. If the mother and father teethed early or late, the baby may follow the same pattern. While some babies experience almost no discomfort while teething, for others it can be a painful and drawn-out even. Symptoms, too, will vary from child to child.

Most Common Sign of Teething

- Red cheeks or rash on cheeks
- Excessive drooling
- Cold-like symptoms
- Restlessness and irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Biting and gnawing
- Not sleeping well
- Cough
- Diarrhea
- Low-grade fever

Helpful Tips for Teething

- Let your baby chew on a cold, hard object such as a water-filled or chilled teething ring
- Teething gels or ointments can numb the gums
- Give your baby a cold bottle of water
- Massage the gums lightly with a clean finger or some ice
- Give your baby a cold bottle of water
- Massage the gums lightly with a clean finger or some ice
- Give your baby a small dose of non-aspirin pain reliever
- Give your baby cold food, such as chilled applesause
- Frequently wipe your baby's face to remove drool and prevent a rash from developing
- Place a clean, flat cloth under the baby's head during sleep to catch the drool

Actions to Strictly Avoid

- Dropping whiskey on the gums
- Cutting the gums to let the tooth through
- Giving a teething child aspirin, because aspiring use in children has be linked to a rare brain and liver disorder called Reye's syndrome
- Giving teeth biscuits because they contain sugar, which may lead to tooth decay
- Tying a teething ring around your baby's neck as the ring could get caught on something and strangle the baby

Timing of the Teeth

In total there are 20 primary (first) teeth, which is 12 less than the full set of 32 permanent teeth adults have. Most children have all 20 teeth by age three. These teeth last until around age six, when teeth become loose and fall out as the second teeth begin to sprout. Primary teeth continue falling out until about age 12.

Mental Development and Teething
An old wise tale links mental development to the onset of teething. In truth, teething is not linked to mental development. This means that your five-month old who is cutting her second tooth may not be a genius and the three-year old who is still teething may not be mentally impaired.

Teething is a natural process, not an illness. However, if the baby is unwell or feverish, you should always consult with your doctor. There is no set pattern on when teething will begin, how long it will take and how painful it will be. It is recommended that your check with your doctor before administering any over-the-counter pain reliever. It is also recommended that your consult with your doctor if your baby experiences a significant delay in development of primary teeth.