Illness & Symptoms
How long does teething last?
Estimated wait
~8 days
Based on published sources
By case
- Faster cases~6 days
- Average cases~8 days
- Slower casesUp to 14 days
These are the days around each individual tooth, not one long stretch of pain. Drooling, sore gums, red cheeks and chewing are typical; a high fever, diarrhoea or a poorly baby are NOT caused by teething and should be checked by a doctor. General information, not medical advice.
For a single tooth, the uncomfortable phase lasts about 8 days: symptoms typically start around 4 days before the tooth breaks through and settle about 3 days after. Some teeth take a little longer, up to roughly two weeks.
More details
The teething period as a whole is much longer — all twenty milk teeth come through over roughly 2 to 2.5 years, usually starting around 6 months. But the fussy days come in short bursts around each tooth, not continuously.
Last updated: 20 Jul 2026
Information is for general knowledge only.