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What is teething in babies?

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Answered on 11th January 2016

When a baby’s milk teeth start to come through the gums, this is considered teething. It can be a slow and uncomfortable experience for your little one or it may be completely painless. Every baby is different.

Tooth buds actually start to develop while a baby is in the womb. Teething usually begins at around six months, but some children are born with their first teeth and some don’t start teething until after they are one year old. Usually all of a child’s baby teeth will have emerged by the time they are 2 ½ years old.

Teething symptoms are:

  • A tooth or teeth visible beneath the gum

  • Sucking or gnawing on fingers and objects they find

  • Excessive drooling

  • Flushed face or cheeks

  • Sore, red and swollen gums

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Being irritable and crying more often

  • Being off their food

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