The Five Stages of Teething
Teething can be an exciting time for any new parent, or a strenuous one, depending on how your child handles their new teeth coming into play. When a child begins their teething process, it takes a long time for their full set of chompers to develop but is a worthwhile experience that bonds parents and their children together. But if you find yourself asking what to expect during their teething stages, and when they’ll be ready to eat solid foods, here’s what to look out for during your child’s teething.
Stage One: 0-6 Months
Once your baby comes into the world, underneath their gums are a set of “milk teeth.” These teeth will begin to erupt during the first six months of their development, and when they appear depends entirely on the child. For some children, it can take a few days for those teeth to develop, while others take a few months. Some babies even have their milk teeth the moment they’re born, in very rare cases. This is the first stage of their teething process, and these teeth will push through the gums slightly.
Stage Two: 6 Months
At around six months, their teeth will push through the gums. Expect your child to cry a lot during this period because their gums will become sore, and they’ll experience sessions of teething episodes throughout this month. By the time your child is about 14 months, they’ll have at least four teeth to manage, and the next stage indicates the next session of teething. After the six month marker, these sets of teeth will erupt from the gums:
- The two middle bottom teeth
- The two top middle teeth
- One tooth along the top
- One tooth along the bottom
Stage Three: 10-18 Months
Once your child reaches near a year old, their primary molars will come in, allowing them to begin chewing on foods. These sets include the upper first molars along the top of the mouth and the lower first molars along the mouth’s bottom.
Stage Four: 16-22 Months
When your child’s about a year old, the canine teeth will erupt from the gums, allowing your child to rip tougher food items for chewing. Due to their sharpness, the canines will be the most painful period for your child due to how the teeth will erupt from the gums. Once the two upper and lower canines come in between the molars and incisors, your child will get through the toughest period of teething.
Stage Five: 25-33 Months
Once your child reaches over a year old, the second molars will erupt from the gums, and during this period, you can communicate with your child about their teething experience and how their teeth are growing in. These second molars mark the final aspect of your child’s teething and complete the process until they’re about 6 or 7 years old when their permanent teeth come in to replace their baby teeth.
The best way to care for your child’s dental health is through a pediatric dentist for any teething problems. Dr. Swati Singh at Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, as Dr. Singh will be able to help your child have healthy, happy teeth with just one appointment.
