Nothing makes teething faster, and this is the most important thing for parents to understand before trying any of the products or remedies widely promoted online. Teething is a biological process governed by genetics and the developmental timeline of each individual tooth. According to the American Dental Association, babies typically begin teething between 6 and 12 months, with all 20 primary teeth usually erupted by age 3. This timeline cannot be accelerated by gum massage, teething gels, amber necklaces, or any commercially sold teething product. What parents can control is not the speed of teething but how well their baby copes with the discomfort it causes. Understanding the difference between what is biologically fixed and what can genuinely be managed through safe, evidence-supported methods is what this guide covers.
Understanding the Teething Process
Teething usually begins between the ages of 6 to 12 months and continues until about age 3 when the last primary molars erupt. The timing is largely influenced by genetics, meaning some babies may start teething earlier or later than others. While this timeline is natural and unavoidable, there are no proven methods to accelerate the process of teething.
SEE ALSO: Is Late Teething a Problem?
Can Teething Be Sped Up?
The short answer is no. Teething is a gradual biological process that cannot be hastened. Baby teeth erupt when they are ready, following a natural developmental pattern. While parents might come across various home remedies or products claiming to speed up teething, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
What Can Parents Do?
Instead of focusing on making teething faster, it’s better to help your child cope with the discomfort associated with the process. Here are our recommendations:
- Teething toys: Give your baby a clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring or a teething toy to soothe sore gums.
- Gum massage: Use a clean finger to gently massage your baby’s gums. This can provide temporary relief from teething discomfort.
- Cold washcloth: A clean, damp, and cold washcloth can be chewed on by the baby to help alleviate pain.
- Over-the-counter medications: Consult your child’s pediatric dentist or pediatrician about safe pain relief options, such as infant acetaminophen, for severe discomfort.
- Avoid certain remedies: Steer clear of teething necklaces, teething gels containing benzocaine, or products that claim to numb the gums. These can pose safety risks or have harmful side effects.
SEE ALSO: Thumb Sucking: Breaking the Habit
While waiting for your baby’s teeth to emerge may feel challenging, patience is crucial. Teething is a temporary phase, and the best approach is to focus on soothing your child’s discomfort while maintaining good oral hygiene practices.
Your Child’s First Dental Visit
The AAPD recommends scheduling your child’s first dental visit by their first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing. Early visits help establish a dental home and ensure your baby’s teeth are developing normally.
At Harmony Medical Center, we’re here to guide you through every stage of your child’s dental journey, ensuring their smiles are healthy and bright. For more personalized advice and care, book an appointment with our pediatric dentistry team today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Nothing scientifically proven makes teething faster. Teething is a biological process determined by genetics and tooth development timing. No home remedy, teething gel, or commercial product has clinical evidence supporting the claim that it speeds up tooth eruption. The most helpful approach is managing your baby's discomfort while the process follows its natural course.
Nothing scientifically proven makes teething faster. Teething is a biological process determined by genetics and tooth development timing. No home remedy, teething gel, or commercial product has clinical evidence supporting the claim that it speeds up tooth eruption. The most helpful approach is managing your baby's discomfort while the process follows its natural course.
The teething process continues from the first tooth until all 20 primary teeth have erupted, which typically happens by age 3. Individual teeth cause the most discomfort in the few days immediately before they break through the gum surface. The full process from first tooth to last primary molar takes approximately two to three years in total.
A clean, chilled (not frozen) teething ring provides counter-pressure on the gum that many babies find relieving. Gently massaging the gum with a clean finger is also effective. A clean, damp, cold washcloth can be given to chew on. For significant discomfort, infant paracetamol or ibuprofen at the age-appropriate dose as advised by a paediatrician or paediatric dentist is the most reliable option. According to Mayo Clinic, a peeled and chilled cucumber or carrot can also help for babies already eating solid foods, provided they are supervised closely.
Most teething gels are not recommended. The FDA advises against teething gels containing benzocaine for children under 2 due to a risk of a serious condition called methaemoglobinaemia. Topical gels also tend to wash away quickly in the mouth and may numb the back of the throat, making swallowing difficult. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been flagged for safety concerns. Consult your paediatric dentist before using any teething gel product.
Most teething gels are not recommended. The FDA advises against teething gels containing benzocaine for children under 2 due to a risk of a serious condition called methaemoglobinaemia. Topical gels also tend to wash away quickly in the mouth and may numb the back of the throat, making swallowing difficult. Homeopathic teething tablets have also been flagged for safety concerns. Consult your paediatric dentist before using any teething gel product.
Teething does not cause fever above 38 degrees Celsius or diarrhoea. These symptoms occurring alongside teething are caused by something else and a doctor should be consulted. Teething may cause mild temperature elevation, increased drooling, gum swelling, irritability, and disrupted sleep, but significant illness is not a teething symptom.
Tooth cleaning should begin as soon as the first tooth appears, using a soft infant toothbrush and a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste twice daily. The AAPD recommends the first dental visit by the child's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth appearing. At Harmony Medical Centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, our paediatric dental team provides gentle, age-appropriate dental care and guidance from the very first visit.
The lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) typically erupt first at 6 to 10 months. The upper central incisors follow at 8 to 12 months. Lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars erupt progressively through to around age 3. Individual timing varies significantly between children.