No matter how well prepared a parent may be, questions always arise when it comes to topics like teething. One of the most commonly asked questions is, "How long does teething last?".

Becoming a parent for the first time can be an exciting yet terrifying experience. Many of these feelings, however, are experienced by people who already have children when they find out they are having another as well. This is because it is simply impossible to learn everything there is to know about babies. While most parents spend a considerable amount of time trying to absorb as much information about the baby's growth and development as possible, each baby is still an individual. This means that despite all the charts and articles saying what is "normal", every child is different and will develop on a slightly different time line. This is especially true of teething. Babies begin teething at different times, and many parents are led to ask the question, "How long does teething last?". The answer, unfortunately, comes as a shock to many.

The majority of babies begin teething around five to six months of age. In total, the baby will need to develop a total of twenty primary teeth, commonly referred to as baby teeth. These teeth do not all develop overnight, nor do they all come in at once. In fact, teething is a process that occurs off and on until the baby reaches two or three years of age. The first teeth to come in are generally the upper and lower central incisors, followed by the lateral incisors and cuspids. The first and second molars are last to develop, and they often do not come in until the baby is actually a toddler.

All throughout the teething process, there is a number of ways to relieve the pain your child is experiencing. There are several topical gels and ointments that can numb the gums, and your pediatrician may recommend low dose pain medications. For babies, there are also several different toys designed especially for teething that work to reduce pain while making it easier to cut teeth. For children who are having an especially difficult time teething or those who seem to be developing teeth at an unusual rate, a trip to the pediatrician or a pediatric dentist may be in order.