Baby Gums Before Teeth Erupt: Signs and How to Care for Them

Before teething begins, your baby’s gums should have a pinkish hue, feel smooth to the touch, and not bleed when you’re cleaning them or during feedings. Let’s dive into why gums matter, what role they play, and how to care for them before and after teething starts.

What Do Baby’s Gums Look Like Before Teeth Erupt?

Here’s a quick recap of what your baby’s healthy gums should look like:

• Gum color: Usually healthy baby gums have a light pink hue; some variations are common depending on genetics and ethnicity.

• Gum texture: Before teething, baby gums should be smooth and firm without any bumps.

• Gum bleeding: There shouldn’t be any signs of gum bleeding before teething starts, particularly after cleanings or when your baby chews.

• When teething starts, your little one’s gums are bound to show signs of change. Here’s what to look for according to the Cleveland Clinic:

• Red or swollen gums: Some gum swelling or inflammation is very common and is often the first telltale sign that teething has begun.

• Tenderness: Teething gums are sensitive to the touch as the new tooth begins to put pressure on the gum line before it emerges.

• White spots: There may be small white spots on the gum line, this is the tip of the baby tooth beginning to make its first appearance.

• Bumps: Teething baby gums become bumpier in texture as the tooth starts to make its way from the gum line.

• Excessive drool: Babies produce a lot of extra saliva as they teethe, which can cause a teething or drool rash to occur. But don’t worry! Simply make sure to keep the area around the mouth clean and dry to reduce any drool rash symptoms.

Here’s how baby’s gums look before teeth begin to erupt:

How to Care for Baby Gums Before Teeth Erupt?

After feeding, use a damp cloth to gently wipe your baby’s gums to help keep them clean. You can also use a soft bristled toothbrush to begin introducing healthy habits.

During teething, you may notice red, swollen gums, excessive drooling and behavioral changes such as increased fussiness and refusal to feed.

A few comfort tips you can try to help soothe your baby’s teething gums:

• Massages: Gently rub or massage their gum line with a clean finger to help ease any pressure their gums may be experiencing.

• Teethers: Offer a chilled, firm, non-liquid filled teething ring with ridges that your little one can gnaw on to help soothe their sensitive gums. Make sure the teether is not frozen as this can harm the gums.

• Gently brush: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently clean and massage your baby’s gums and teeth.

• Diet considerations: If they are of age, feed your baby cool, soft foods such as yogurt to help ease some of the discomfort of teething gums.

• Distract them: Playtime can go a long way in helping to take your baby’s mind off any discomfort they may face while teething. Read a book, play pretend, offer up their favorite toy, or go swinging in the park!

• Speak to a professional: Consult your pediatric medical professional to see if an over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen can be used to help lessen any discomfort.

Importance of Baby Gums for Overall Oral Health

Caring for your baby’s gums is just as important as keeping an eye on their teeth and brushing them. Gums are the foundation for their oral health, helping pave the way for a healthy and bright smile.

Your baby’s gums are key for development across a number of avenues including:

• Tooth guidance: Gums support tooth eruption. Healthy gums facilitate smooth and correct tooth development.

• Eating: Is your little one gumming their way through pacifiers, teethers, and food? That’s because babies start chewing with their gums first—no teeth needed, yet. They also learn how to move food around their mouths and transition to other food textures.

• Speaking: Gums are important in helping your little one form speech and begin to articulate words.

• Protection: Gums act as a protective barrier for the teeth underneath, helping to keep them safe from infection and damage.

Teething Timeline

Baby’s primary, or deciduous teeth will usually start to come out between the ages of 6 to 31 months.

When to See a Dental Professional

All babies go through teething, but there may be times when a visit to a pediatric dental professional may be needed:

• Delayed eruption: Typically, deciduous, or baby teeth start to come in around 4 to 6 months of age. If you’re not seeing any primary teeth by 18 months, see your dental professional.

• Tooth loss: See your dentist if your little one experiences loose teeth earlier than expected or feels any dental discomfort.

• Tooth decay: See your dentist if you notice any signs of tooth decay or damage such as a chipped tooth.

Make sure to see a pediatric dental professional by their first birthday or when their first baby tooth erupts.

Cleaning Baby Teeth

Start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as that first tooth erupts with a soft-bristled baby toothbrush. In addition, if you put your baby to sleep with a bottle, only fill it with water if they are old enough. Any drinks with sugar, including milk, formula and juice, can cause tooth decay.

Once your child is three years old, you can step up their brushing game with an electric toothbrush. An electric toothbrush helps get into hard-to-reach places to remove more plaque than a manual toothbrush. Plus, it can add more fun to their daily routine thanks to exciting features and their favorite characters!

Here's how to brush your child’s teeth when they’re 3+:

1. Brush teeth along the gum line for 2 minutes, 2X/day with an electric toothbrush equipped with extra-soft bristles. Oral-B offers a variety of kid-friendly electric toothbrush options featuring their favorite characters and extra-soft bristles for gentle cleaning.

2. Let the electric toothbrush do the work for you—simply glide it across all surfaces your child’s teeth, including the front, back and chewing surfaces. There’s no need to scrub!

3. Add a little more excitement to their daily routine with the Disney Magic Timer app! They’ll get stickers, rewards, and fun challenges that take brushing to the next level. Oh, and the best part? It’s completely free to download!

4. Don’t forget to floss! Gently clean between baby teeth with string floss at least once a day.

5. Make sure to visit their dental professional twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.

Kid’s Oral Care Recommendations

Complete Your Child’s Oral Care Routine

• Brush your baby’s tender gums and teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush for baby ages 0-2 twice a day for two minutes each session

• Switch to an electric toothbrush once your child is 3 to remove more plaque for healthy teeth and gums such as the Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush for kids ages 3+ featuring Disney and Marvel characters.

• Encourage healthy habits with the Disney Magic Timer App which helps kids brush up to 2X longer.

• Visit their dental professional twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups.

Equip your kids’ oral care routine with the toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash that’s right for them.