The Teething Journey: What to Expect When Your Baby Tooth Breaks Through

For many parents, the arrival of their baby's first tooth is a momentous occasion—one that is often accompanied by sleepless nights, extra cuddles, and a whole lot of drool! One of the most common questions I hear from parents is: "Once a baby tooth breaks through, how long does it take to come up?" Understanding the timeline when a baby tooth breaks through is crucial for parents navigating this developmental milestone. The answer, like so much in parenting, is: it depends!

Meet Baby Leo

Let's follow the journey of Baby Leo, an adorable six-month-old with a gummy smile that's about to change forever. One evening, Leo's mom, Sarah, notices that he's been extra fussy, gnawing on everything in sight, and drooling so much that his onesies seem permanently damp. Then, during his bedtime routine, she feels something tiny and sharp when he clamps down on her finger—a little white nub just peeking through his gum.

Excited but a little anxious, Sarah wonders: What happens next? How long until this tooth is fully out? And what should I be doing to help?

Understanding How Long After a Baby Tooth Breaks Through

Once a baby tooth breaks through the gum, it typically takes a few days to a few weeks to fully emerge. The speed of eruption varies from child to child. Some teeth seem to pop up overnight, while others take their time. According to the American Dental Association's tooth eruption charts, this timing is perfectly normal. In Leo's case, his little bottom incisor was visible, but over the next ten days, it slowly pushed up, settling into place as a brand-new part of his smile.

Here's a general guide for what to expect:

Eruption: The tooth first pierces through the gumline—often causing the most discomfort.
Partial emergence: Over the next week or two, more of the tooth becomes visible.
Full emergence: The tooth settles into place, though gums may remain slightly swollen for a bit.

By the time the first tooth is fully up, another one may already be on the way!

Easing Teething Discomfort

Sarah noticed that Leo was fussier than usual—his normally predictable nap schedule had suddenly become erratic, and he would wake up crying throughout the night, tugging at his ear and rubbing his cheek against his crib sheet. His constant drooling had led to a slight rash on his chin despite Sarah's best efforts to keep it dry. During meals, Leo refused his usual favorites and seemed uncomfortable with anything touching his gums.

After a particularly challenging night where neither of them got much sleep, Sarah called her pediatrician who confirmed that Leo was likely experiencing discomfort from teething. With newfound determination, Sarah tried several approaches to help soothe his gums:

Chilled (not frozen) teething toys – The cool sensation helps numb sore gums. Leo especially loved his silicone teething ring after Sarah had chilled it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. The coolness seemed to provide immediate, though temporary, relief.
Gently massaging his gums – Clean fingers or a soft, damp washcloth worked wonders. Sarah found that gently rubbing the area where the tooth was emerging with a clean finger helped calm Leo down before bedtime. She made it part of their nighttime routine, singing softly while massaging his gums for a minute or two.
Offering a firm teething biscuit – At six months, Leo was ready to try solid foods, and a teething biscuit helped soothe his gums. Sarah made sure to stay close while he gnawed on the biscuit, observing how the pressure seemed to provide relief to his irritated gums.
Extra cuddles – Sometimes, comfort from mom or dad is the best remedy. On particularly difficult days, Sarah found that simply holding Leo upright against her

When to Start Brushing

As soon as Leo's first tooth made its full debut, Sarah was eager to start a brushing routine. During their visit to our office, she appeared both excited and slightly overwhelmed, holding Leo on her lap as she asked, "Is it really time to start brushing already? I'm not sure he'll cooperate!"

I reassured her that starting early was absolutely the right approach—even with just one tiny tooth—and that establishing good habits now would make dental care easier as Leo grew. When Sarah admitted she wasn't sure exactly how to brush such a small tooth in a squirmy baby's mouth, we practiced together using a demonstration model first.

I recommended she:

Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a small head and large handle that would be easy for her to grip while managing a wiggly baby. "You might need to try a few different styles before finding one that works best for both of you," I explained.
Use a tiny smear (rice-sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste—just enough to provide protection without being too much if swallowed. When Sarah expressed concern about fluoride, we discussed how the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry supports using a minimal amount even for infants.
Gently brush twice a day, ideally morning and night. "The bedtime brushing is especially important," I emphasized, "since saliva flow decreases during sleep, leaving teeth more vulnerable to decay." I showed Sarah how to position Leo comfortably in her lap with his head cradled in her arm, giving her a clear view of his mouth.
Avoid putting Leo to bed with a bottle to prevent early tooth decay. "Baby bottle tooth decay is completely preventable," I noted, "and establishing good sleep habits without a bottle is beneficial for both dental health and independent sleep skills."

Sarah practiced the brushing technique in our office, and to everyone's surprise, Leo seemed to enjoy the gentle sensation of the toothbrush. "We'll make this part of our daily routine," Sarah promised, looking more confident as she gathered her diaper bag. "Maybe we'll even make up a special toothbrushing song!"

The Next Steps

Leo's teething journey was just beginning—over the next couple of years, he would go from one little tooth to a full set of 20 baby teeth! This progression is an important part of your child's chewing development and dental health. Sarah made sure to schedule his first dental visit by his first birthday, which is the perfect time for a check-up and guidance on keeping his smile healthy.

Final Thoughts

Every baby's teething timeline is unique, but knowing what to expect can help ease the process for both parents and little ones. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers excellent resources on managing teething discomfort and maintaining oral health during this time. If your baby is teething and you have questions, our team at Urbana Pediatric Dentistry is here to help! Teething can be tough, but with a little patience (and a lot of love), you and your baby will navigate this milestone with smiles ahead.

Dr. Dina Chehab and the team at Urbana Pediatric Dentistry are dedicated to providing compassionate, expert care for children from infancy through their teen years. Located in Ijamsville, MD, we specialize in tailoring care to each child's individual needs for a joyful and stress-free dental experience. For more information on pediatric dental development, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research provides valuable research-based resources for parents.