Teething
The average age for the first teeth to appear is 6-7 months. However, teething can begin as early as 2 months or as late as 12-15 months. Some babies are even born with a tooth, however, these teeth generally fall out a few days after birth and the babies will still get all of their baby teeth later. Typically, the bottom two front teeth will appear first, followed by the top two teeth.
Signs of teething include increased drooling, chewing on everything, and slight irritability. You can usually look at the gums and see a pale area where the tooth is pushing through the gums. Fever is not a sign of teething and should not be taken lightly. If your baby is fussy, try giving Tylenol as directed in the chart in this book. You can also apply teething gel lightly to the gums. Cold teething rings or a cool, wet washcloth to chew on will often alleviate discomfort. Babies also may enjoy chewing on biter biscuits.