Matchstick Monkey teething guide: signs and stages month by month

Every baby teethes on their own schedule. This guide explains what is common at each stage and how a teether can help.

Early signs

Babies often start looking for pressure on their gums between about 3 and 6 months, sometimes weeks or months before a tooth appears. Common signs include:

• Chewing fingers, hands and toys.
• Increased drooling and flushed cheeks.
• Rubbing their gums.
• Wanting to bite during feeds.
• Being a little fussier than usual.

Not every baby who chews is teething. Mouthing is also a normal way babies explore texture, shape and pressure.

When teeth commonly appear

• Lower central incisors: 6 to 10 months
• Upper central incisors: 8 to 12 months
• Upper lateral incisors: 9 to 13 months
• Lower lateral incisors: 10 to 16 months
• First molars: 13 to 19 months
• Canines: 16 to 23 months
• Second molars: 23 to 33 months

By around age three, most children have all 20 baby teeth. Some babies cut their first tooth at four months, while others do not see one until after their first birthday, and both can be normal. This is a general guide, not a deadline.

How needs change

Babies may prefer a lightweight, easy-to-hold teether early on, slim textured surfaces for front teeth, and a design that reaches further back for molars. It is normal for a baby to reject a teether they used to like as different teeth come through.

When to see a health professional

• Your baby seems unusually distressed for a long time.
• You are worried about feeding or growth.
• You notice significant swelling, bleeding or injury in the mouth.
• Your child has no teeth well beyond the usual range and you are concerned.