Teething is the process of a baby's teeth erupting through the gums. Teeth first usually appear in the mouth 5 to 7 months after the baby is born. The onset of teething varies from child to child. For most children, the teeth have broken through the gums before the end of their first year.

Symptoms starting as early as 4 or 5 months, include:
* increased saliva,
* drooling, and
* the need to chew on things
* restlessness,
* crankiness,
* thumb sucking,
* loss of appetite, and
* gum rubbing.

Teething does NOT cause significant fever (over 100 degrees rectally) , sleep problems, diarrhea, diaper rash, or lowered resistance to any infection. Permanent teeth starting around age five or six years appear in this order:
* the two front teeth on the lower jaw,
* followed 4 to 8 weeks later by the four upper front teeth,
* the molars are the last to appear.

Most children will have all 20 of their primary teeth by age three. These teeth are replaced by permanent teeth starting around age five or six.

To help soothe your baby's teething discomfort, follow these guidelines:
* Gently massage the swollen gums with one of your fingers.
* Give your child something cold to gnaw on like a popsickle, or chilled teething ring (not a frozen one). A wet washcloth frozen for 30 minutes is also helpful to relieve pain.
* Do not use whiskey, lotions or ointments made to reduce teething pain. They wash out of the baby's mouth within minutes. They may contain an agent that could numb the throat and cause the baby to choke.
* Acetaminophen may be used for a few days if the baby is uncomfortable.

Clean the new teeth with a soft child's toothbrush, or wipe them with gauze. Never allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle. This will lead to tooth decay.

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