Baby’s First Teeth
Every year in California 800 children ages two and under are taken to the emergency department for teething.
Three out of five of these visits are for babies ages 4 to 12 months when baby teeth first start to appear.
Knowing the symptoms of teething can prevent visits to the emergency department.
Common Teething Symptoms
- Fussiness/ Irritability
- Trouble sleeping
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling more than usual
[1]
- A desire to chew on something hard
- Slight rise in temperature
- Swollen and tender gums
[2]
When to seek medical advice
- Diarrhea
- Rash
[1]
- Fever higher than 101 degrees
[2]
Teething Tips to Help Your Baby
- Gently rub or massage the gums with a clean finger or a chilled washcloth.
- Give baby a solid, not liquid filled, teething ring made of firm rubber.
- Ask your dentist or pediatrician for further teething advice.
Data Sources & Methods:
California Department of Health Care Access and Information. (2023). Emergency Department visits for primary diagnosis of teething symptoms among children ages two and under.
[1] American Dental Association. (2025).
Teething | MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA
[2] American Academy of Pediatrics. (2024).
When Does Teething Start?