Teething is usually not a reason for parents to worry or to make a special trip to a physician’s office. All scheduled well-child visits still need to be continued. Any normal concerns about an infant’s teething may be discussed at these visits. However, if an infant appears especially uncomfortable, a pediatrician or other healthcare professional can suggest ways to manage the discomfort.

If no teeth have emerged by the age of 1 year, a visit to a pediatrician may be necessary to evaluate the possible cause of the delay. The pediatrician will typically ask questions about the infant’s family history, such as at what ages the mother and father first began teething. This is usually no cause for concern. It is not rare for teething to begin later than the average age and can start as late as 12 months to 16 months.