Can a 4-Month-Old Get Their First Tooth? What to Know

Yes, a baby can get their first tooth at 4 months old, although many babies get theirs later. Teething timing varies from child to child, so an early tooth by itself usually isn’t a reason to worry. The lower front teeth often appear first, but your baby’s teeth may not follow an exact schedule.

Look for a small white edge or a firm bump along your baby’s gum. Drooling, chewing on hands, and fussiness can happen around the same time, but those behaviors alone don’t mean a tooth is about to appear. If your baby lets you, you can gently look at their gums in good light rather than repeatedly pressing on a tender spot.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating how can you tell whether a tooth is coming in.

You can gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or offer a clean, solid teething ring cooled in the refrigerator. Avoid frozen items, which can be too hard on tender gums, and supervise your baby while they use a teether. Skip teething necklaces and numbing gels containing benzocaine; ask your pediatrician before giving medicine to a 4-month-old.

Teething may cause mild discomfort, but don’t assume a fever, diarrhea, or a baby who seems unusually ill is “just teething.” Contact your pediatrician if your baby has a fever, isn’t feeding normally, or has symptoms that concern you. You can also ask for guidance if you see a spot on the gum and can’t tell whether it’s a tooth.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating when should you call the pediatrician.

When you can see the tooth, brush it gently twice a day with a soft, infant-size toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste no larger than a grain of rice. Keep brushing as more teeth arrive, and ask your pediatrician or a pediatric dentist when to schedule your baby’s first dental visit. For more on timing and everyday care, see our guide to baby’s first tooth; our Baby’s First Tooth Tips Ebook is another parenting guide you can turn to during this stage.