The best ways to help teething pain are simple, free, and already in your kitchen: a clean finger pressed firmly against your baby’s gums, a chilled teething ring, or a cold washcloth to gnaw on. Most babies start teething around 6 months, and the discomfort comes and goes as each of the 20 primary teeth works its way through over the next two years. Here’s what actually works, what to skip, and how to tell teething apart from something more serious.
What Teething Looks and Feels Like
The first teeth to break through are usually the two bottom front teeth, appearing between 6 and 10 months. The top four front teeth follow shortly after, between 8 and 13 months. From there, teeth tend to arrive in pairs on each side of the jaw. A rough rule: for every six months of life, expect about four new teeth. By age 2.5 to 3, all 20 baby teeth are typically in place.
The telltale signs are hard to miss. Your baby will drool more than usual, and the gums where a tooth is about to emerge will look red, swollen, and tender. You’ll also notice fussiness, irritability, trouble sleeping, a dip in appetite, and a strong urge to bite or chew on anything within reach. These symptoms tend to peak in the days just before a tooth breaks through the surface, then ease up once it’s visible.
One thing teething does not cause is a true fever. Your baby’s temperature may rise slightly, but anything at or above 100.4°F (38°C) is a sign of infection, not teething. If your baby hits that threshold, something else is going on and needs attention.
Gum Massage and Pressure
Firm, gentle pressure on swollen gums is one of the most effective ways to relieve teething pain. Wash your hands, then use a clean finger or a damp gauze pad to rub the area where you can see or feel a tooth coming in. The counterpressure works against the pushing sensation from below the gumline. Most babies calm noticeably within a minute or two.
If your baby resists your finger, try a cold, damp washcloth. Wet it, wring it out, and chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes. The combination of texture and cold gives your baby something safe to chew while numbing the sore spot. You can also let your baby gnaw on a large, chilled carrot or a piece of cold, peeled cucumber, but only if you’re sitting right there watching. Anything small enough to break off is a choking hazard.
Choosing a Safe Teething Toy
Teething rings come in all shapes and sizes. The safest options are made of solid, nontoxic rubber, sometimes with textured bumps that feel good on sore gums. Chill them in the refrigerator before handing them over. Do not freeze teething rings or toys. Frozen items become rock-hard and can bruise or damage your baby’s gums instead of soothing them. Avoid fluid-filled teethers as well, since they can leak or break.
Look for one-piece designs without small parts that could detach. If a teething toy has a crack or shows signs of wear, replace it. Babies chew with surprising force, and a deteriorating toy can release small pieces.
When to Use Pain Medication
For nights when nothing else is working and your baby is clearly miserable, infant acetaminophen or infant ibuprofen can help. The key details:
- Acetaminophen can be given every 4 to 6 hours, up to 5 doses in 24 hours. Do not give it to babies under 8 weeks old.
- Ibuprofen can be given every 6 to 8 hours, up to 4 doses in 24 hours. Do not give it to babies under 6 months old. Give it with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
Always dose by your baby’s weight, not their age. The packaging includes a weight-based chart, and your pediatrician’s office can confirm the right amount if you’re unsure. Use the syringe that comes with the product rather than a kitchen spoon, since household teaspoons vary in size. A medical syringe measuring in milliliters is the most accurate option (for reference, 2.5 ml equals half a teaspoon and 5 ml equals one teaspoon).
Pain relievers are a tool for rough patches, not a daily routine. If you find yourself reaching for them regularly for more than a few days, check in with your pediatrician to rule out ear infections or other issues that mimic teething.
Products to Avoid
Several popular teething products carry real risks, and major health agencies have issued specific warnings about them.
Numbing gels containing benzocaine. The FDA warns against using benzocaine products for teething pain in children. Benzocaine can trigger a condition called methemoglobinemia, which severely reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. It can be fatal. These gels also wash away with saliva within minutes, so they barely work in the first place.
Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA found that tablets marketed by major brands contained wildly inconsistent levels of belladonna, a toxic plant extract. Some tablets had concentrations far exceeding what was listed on the label. The FDA urges parents not to use these products and to throw away any they already have at home.
Amber teething necklaces and beads. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that infants wear any jewelry. The FDA issued a formal warning in 2018 after receiving reports of children choking on beads that broke off and one 18-month-old who was strangled to death by an amber necklace during a nap. The risks are strangulation when worn around the neck and choking if the beads come loose. No credible evidence supports the claim that amber releases pain-relieving compounds through the skin.
Caring for New Teeth
Start brushing as soon as the first tooth appears. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. That tiny amount is safe to swallow and provides enough fluoride to protect the new enamel. Brush twice a day, especially before bed, since milk or formula left on teeth overnight promotes decay.
Your baby’s first dental visit should happen by their first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth erupting. This visit is mostly about establishing a baseline and catching any early issues with tooth development or positioning. It also gives you a chance to ask about fluoride, pacifier use, and bottle habits that affect dental health down the road.