Babies go through various life stages as they grow, and teething is one of the longest they’ll experience. Spotting that first tooth is exciting for any parent, but many may not realize how long this on-and-off discomfort lasts for their child. So just how long does teething potentially last? The short answer is that it could last around two to three years. Learn more about the stages of teething and how to comfort your little one along the way.
Stage 1
Baby teeth, also known as milk teeth, begin emerging in stage 1 of teething, which lasts from birth until approximately six months old. During stage 1, the teeth have not started to grow yet. At birth, newborns don’t have teeth, but this doesn’t mean they’re toothless. Their teeth are located below the gums, and as your baby develops, they will start to emerge.
Stage 2
Stage 2 begins right around when they’re six months old. During this time, your little cutie will usually get their first tooth. Typically, the bottom two incisors grow first, and within a month or two, the top two teeth will appear.
You’ll know your baby has begun teething if they put more objects in their mouth to bite down on. Teethers are especially helpful since manufacturers design them for infants to put into their mouths, as biting other items could harm your baby. In addition, biting objects puts pressure on your baby’s gums, giving them the physical comfort they need since teething can be quite painful.
Before the first tooth erupts, you’ll notice a bump on your baby’s gum where it will grow in. If you see this alongside an increased desire to bite things, it’s time to invest in quality teethers to help soothe any discomfort.
Stage 3
The third teething stage lasts from 10 to 14 months when those primary molars finally grow in. Now is when teething usually goes from uncomfortable to painful for a baby.
Parenting Tip
During stage 3, most babies also drool more often because of the increased chewing on teethers, which activates their salivary glands. Wipe any drool off your infant’s face with a soft cloth to prevent a rash from forming along their mouth, chin, or cheeks.
Stage 4
Your baby has hit many incredible milestones at 16 to 22 months. By now, you’ve celebrated their first birthday, and their true personality has begun taking shape. Your child has gone from crawling to waddling around; they may have even taken their first steps!
Aside from learning to walk and talk, your baby’s canine teeth finally grow in at this stage. By now, you’ve mastered how to keep your baby comfortable and learned what helps them most.
Stage 5
Finally, the last stage of teething! Most babies don’t reach this stage until around two and three years of age. The final step is one of the tougher ones, similar to the third stage since this is when the large molars grow in. Luckily, your child is a bit older, so finding the right ways to soothe them is less difficult.
As a toddler, your kiddo knows they can ask for some extra cuddles or tell you their gums hurt. You may have to prepare different meals for them so they can enjoy softer foods that are gentle on their gums. Once the large molars finish growing in, you’ll be free of all thoughts of tooth growth. Or rather, you will be for the next few years—they should start losing those baby teeth around their sixth birthday.
Soothing Your Teething Baby
As we’ve said, teething is pretty uncomfortable and sometimes downright painful. As a parent, it’s your duty to present your baby with affection, comfort, and unconditional love. Below, we’ve listed some of the methods to help soothe your baby while teething:
- Buying teething rings
- Freezing teethers
- Giving gum massages to your baby
- Feeding your baby soft foods
Keeping your baby comfortable helps ensure they get the sleep, nutrition, and playtime they need to flourish. Softer and frozen foods are easy to eat. When you make mealtime fun for them or cheer them on as they eat, it’s easier to get through that discomfort.
Buy Incredible Teethers
Understanding the stages of teething and how long teething lasts will help to equip you for these vital stages of life. Invest in several teethers so you always have one ready to go, and you can make quick replacements when you need to. Shop at Ryan & Rose for soft silicone teethers that your baby will love as they search for the best way to help relieve their sore gums.
Ryan & Rose
Silicone is one of the most popular materials for teethers because it’s antibacterial and hypoallergenic. At Ryan & Rose, we carry various silicone baby teethers made with 100 percent food-grade silicone. We sell teething rings, paci + teether duos, and pacifier clips that double as teethers.
