Every milestone, from the first time I held my son Aanas in my arms to seeing him walk for the first time, feels like a victory and serves as a small but meaningful reminder of how fast time passes. The day my son’s first tooth erupts, however, was a milestone that seemed to come as a surprise to me while I was preoccupied with the daily chaos of motherhood.
I had no idea that the appearance of a tooth could cause such intense feelings, but it did. This is the tale of how that tiny tooth turned into a memory I will always treasure.
The Initial Teething Phase Around six months, when babies typically start teething, it all began. I had heard innumerable tales of teething nightmares, including restless nights, fussy days, and ceaseless drooling, like many mothers do. But I didn’t notice the warning signs right away when it was my son’s turn.
In our house, it was just another ordinary day. I was going about my everyday business, taking care of the house and watching over Aanas while my husband was at work. He was giggling away while reaching for his vibrantly coloured blocks while seated in his favourite spot among his toys. Everything appeared to be typical. However, I began to notice minor behavioural changes in him over the course of the following few days. He became slightly more irritable than normal and frequently bit anything he could get his little hands on, including his fingers and toys. He began to drool more and woke up more often in the middle of the night.
I initially believed it to be a passing phase, possibly brought on by a small discomfort or developmental milestone. I even attributed it to the weather! It was one of the fleeting ideas that come to a mother’s mind when she’s attempting to interpret her child’s actions.
The Big Discovery: A Tiny Tooth!
I was trying to calm Aanas down before bed one evening after a particularly fussy day. I saw that he kept putting his little hands to his mouth and had been unusually irritable. I felt something hard—a tiny bump on his lower gum—as I tried to comfort him by gently massaging his gums. A beat skipped in my chest. Is it possible? Was this the time?
I hastily reached for a gentle washcloth and began massaging his gums once more, feeling for the telltale sign of his first tooth. Indeed, there it was—a small, jagged, white pimple that was just beginning to show! Excited, I immediately called my husband to share the big news. Our baby boy was officially growing up, and his first tooth had finally emerged!
A Range of Feelings I experienced a wide range of emotions after finding that tiny tooth. Naturally, I was ecstatic. A child’s first tooth is such an important milestone! It indicates that your child is transitioning into the following developmental stage and leaving the purely infant stage. It seemed like a tiny but unmistakable indication that my young son was maturing, that time was going by, and that he was getting closer to toddlerhood every day.
Alongside this excitement, though, was a sense of bittersweetness. I was reminded of how quickly time was passing when I saw that tooth. I was holding a newborn a few months ago, and now here he was, my six-month-old son, starting a new stage of life, one baby tooth at a time. In that sense, parenthood is humorous. Even though each new milestone is exciting, it also serves as a reminder that our children are maturing—sometimes more quickly than we can handle.
The Teething Process: Restless Nights and Infant Smiles Naturally, the first tooth’s appearance was only the start. I soon discovered that the teething process wasn’t a one-day event. It was a journey of highs and lows, tears and laughter, and, of course, restless nights.
Reality set in after the initial thrill. Long days and even longer nights were caused by the discomfort of that erupting tooth. It was obvious that Aanas was in pain as he grew fussier and frequently woke up in the middle of the night to cry. Seeing him in this state devastated me as a mother. I only wanted to make him feel better.
I experimented with cool washcloths, teething toys, and even a mild gum massage. They were effective at times. At other times, I had to hold him close, rock him gently, and whisper comforting words until he calmed down because nothing else seemed to help. Even though those evenings were difficult, they strengthened our bond. I felt a stronger connection between us develop during those silent, late-night times when I held him close. It seemed as though I was accompanying him on his journey, experiencing his suffering while simultaneously applauding his advancement.
His baby smile was one of the highlights of the entire teething process. He would occasionally give me a big, gummy smile while displaying that tiny tooth, as though to say, “Look, Mama, I’m growing!” even when he was fussy or uncomfortable. The sleepless nights were worthwhile because of those smiles.
Honouring the First Tooth
I enjoy commemorating every small accomplishment as a mother, and this one was no exception. That night, my husband and I celebrated as a family when he got home. We marvelled at the tiny tooth and documented the moment with a few (okay, many) photos. I even informed my mother over the phone. It seemed like a special moment that I should treasure and remember for years to come. Naturally, as soon as that first tooth emerged, thoughts of all the things that would come next—more teeth, solid foods, and eventually the entire set of baby teeth—also surfaced. I wanted to enjoy this one tooth and this one moment for the time being, though. It was unique in and of itself, serving as a reminder of my baby’s rapid growth and the new challenges and adventures that came with every day.
A Reminder of Motherhood’s Magnificence In hindsight, I learnt a valuable lesson about motherhood from that first tooth. It made me realise how many little, seemingly unimportant moments that somehow become treasured memories are a part of being a parent. In the big picture, a single tooth might not seem like much, but to me, it represented development, transformation, and the unavoidable passing of time.
I’ve come to appreciate these moments as a mother—to rejoice in them, to laugh and cry through them, and to acknowledge their transience. Before I know it, my young son will be running around with a full set of teeth and grinning mischievously. That first tooth will soon be followed by many more.
For the time being, though, I will cherish the memory of that little white tooth, the happiness it brought, and the way it signalled the beginning of this amazing journey that is motherhood.
