New parents in Pakistan often hear it from a dadi or nani first: “dant nikal rahe hain” \u2014 the teeth are coming. And with that announcement comes a wave of advice, some helpful, some outdated, and some that can actually harm your baby. Knowing what teething really looks like, and what it does not look like, is one of the most useful things you can learn in your baby’s first year.<\/p>\n
Teething, or dant nikalna in Urdu, is the process by which a baby’s primary teeth (also called milk teeth or doodh ke dant) push up through the gum line. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, a baby’s first tooth typically appears between 5 and 7 months of age, though some babies start as early as 3 months and others not until after their first birthday. Both ends of that range are normal. By around age 2.5 to 3 years, most children have a full set of 20 primary teeth.<\/p>\n
The discomfort is real, but it’s usually mild. Most teething episodes last about 3 to 8 days per tooth, according to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Understanding this timeline helps Pakistani parents avoid over-treating a baby who simply needs a little comfort.<\/p>\n