Dr. Shari Carroll is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. In addition to owning and operating her own dental practice, Dr. Carroll is also an instructor at the pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. She has worked for almost 10 years exclusively treating infants, young children, and children with special needs both in the office and in hospital settings.

I spend quite a bit of time discussing teething with parents at my practice. This is one of the reasons the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends bringing your baby to the dentist by 1 year of age. I compiled a list of common questions I usually discuss with parents on their first visit.

When should I expect teeth?

There are so many charts out there showing when baby teeth come in. I usually caution parents that every child is so different and they follow their own schedules! The average age is between 4-6 months for the first tooth to come in.

Is my baby teething or is it something else?

Just because we can’t see a tooth popping in, doesn’t mean your baby isn’t teething. Babies can feel the teeth move in the jaw bone way before we see it. I usually recommend to just treat teething symptoms and see if it makes your baby feel more comfortable.

What are typical teething symptoms?

Drooling, chewing on fingers, low-grade fever, diarrhea, night waking, and a decrease in appetite.

What is the best teething tip?

Most baby’s don’t love frozen teething toys. I recommend using any toy your baby does like to put in their mouth and place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes for instant relief. I also love a cold washcloth for a baby to chew on.

When will be done with teething?

Most children will get all of their baby teeth by 2-3 years old.

To find out more about Dr. Shari Carroll, visit her website at www.redondobeachkidsdentist.com/ and follow her on instagram @drsharicarroll.