- Baby teeth begin forming under the gums while the child is still in the uterus, at about 6 weeks in utero. Around week 20 in utero, the baby's permanent, adult teeth begin to form. Although the calcification on these teeth is not complete, a baby's two sets of teeth are fully formed underneath the gumline when she is born. After about 1 1/2 to 2 months after birth, a baby's teeth begin to cut through the gums. This process is called teething and may continue until age 3.
- It is normal for babies to become cranky or fussy while they are teething. If your baby begins crying for seemingly no reason, there is a chance that he has teeth growing in, especially if he is at least 1 month old. If your baby does not appear to have any teeth after 2 months, do not be alarmed. Many children teethe at their own pace, which is why children also begin losing their baby teeth at different times. If your child is having difficulty teething, freeze a washcloth or teething ring and allow your baby to suck and chew on it. This will help reduce swelling and release the pressure on your baby's gums.
- If your baby is several months old and there are still no signs of baby teeth coming in, see your pediatrician. He or she can take X-rays to see what is keeping the baby teeth from coming in. In some babies, the adult teeth are not formed under the gumline after birth. Unfortunately, this means that the adult teeth will never form. Your doctor can take an X-ray to determine whether your child has adult teeth under her gums. If your child is running a fever or screaming uncontrollably while teething, go to the doctor or hospital immediately.
