The short answer
At 7–9 months, tender gums, more drooling, chewing and mild fussiness may accompany teething. These signs do not confirm a tooth is coming; fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher and diarrhea need another explanation.
In this guide · 11 sections
Keep in mind
- First-tooth timing varies, and no tooth at nine months is not automatically concerning.
- Drooling and chewing do not prove a tooth is imminent.
- Fever and diarrhea should not be dismissed as teething.
- Use gentle gum massage or a chilled teether, not numbing gels or jewelry.
What the first teeth may look like
The first baby teeth may appear between seven and nine months, often the lower front teeth, although the sequence varies. No visible tooth at nine months is not, by itself, a developmental problem.
You may notice a small bump on the gum shortly before a tooth appears, or find a tooth unexpectedly one morning. Compare your baby with their own development, not another baby’s dental schedule.
Changes in the gums
The area where a tooth emerges can look slightly red, swollen or tender. Your baby may press the area with their tongue or a toy, but not every gum swelling is teething.
A small localized sensitive spot in an otherwise well baby may fit teething. Widespread mouth sores, marked swelling or pain preventing feeding deserve medical evaluation.
Drooling and chewing
Drool-soaked bibs, hands in the mouth and chewing on toys may accompany teething, but mouthing objects is also typical exploration at this age. These behaviors do not prove a tooth is about to emerge.
Drool can irritate the chin; gently pat skin dry rather than rubbing hard. Items that go into the mouth should be clean, intact and free from detachable small parts.
Fussiness, sleep and appetite
Sore gums might make your baby want more comfort or refuse some solid textures briefly. Yet not every short nap, night waking or refusal is due to teeth; separation anxiety and other changes also occur now.
If your baby avoids their favorite spoon for a day but still drinks milk, has usual wet diapers and seems alert, watch the pattern. A clear drop in fluids or unusual weakness needs separate attention.
Are fever and diarrhea caused by teething?
Teething may be associated with minor temperature changes, but a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or above should not be blamed on teeth. Significant diarrhea, vomiting and a runny nose are not expected teething symptoms.
An infection can happen at the same time. Fever with lethargy, trouble feeding, repeated vomiting or watery diarrhea warrants evaluation. Temperature measurement method matters.
Can symptoms predict the day a tooth emerges?
More drooling or chewing for a few days cannot reliably tell you that a tooth will appear tomorrow. Research has not found one symptom or combination that predicts the exact eruption day.
Rather than logging every new behavior as a teething signal, notice feeding, comfort, energy and any visible changes in the gums.
What can you do today?
Try gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger or offering an intact age-appropriate teether chilled in the refrigerator. Avoid frozen hard teethers, amber necklaces and numbing teething gels.
Keep an eye on fluid intake, wet diapers and energy rather than focusing only on the teeth. See Luluna’s separate guide on soothing teething discomfort for safe options.
When to seek care
Ask your pediatrician about fever at or above 100.4°F (38°C), persistent feeding refusal, fewer wet diapers, repeated vomiting or diarrhea, widespread mouth sores or worsening pain.
Breathing trouble, difficulty waking or severe dehydration needs urgent care; call 911 in the U.S. Your baby’s general health matters more than predicting an eruption date.
When to seek support
Some signs need emergency help; other concerns can be discussed with your child’s healthcare team.
- Temperature at or above 100.4°F (38°C)
- Major reduction in milk or fluids or wet diapers
- Repeated diarrhea or vomiting
- Widespread mouth sores or worsening pain
- Breathing difficulty, hard to wake or severe dehydration
Sources used for this guide
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org — HealthyChildren – Teething Pain Relief
- NHS — Baby teething symptoms
- American Academy of Pediatrics — Teething symptom checker
English editorial review:
The English text and regional guidance have been checked editorially. This is not an individual clinical assessment.
Luluna provides general parenting information. It does not diagnose conditions or replace your child’s healthcare professional.
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