Most babies start teething around 6 months old, and the discomfort comes in waves that can last days at a time. The good news: a few simple, low-cost techniques can make a real difference. Chilled (not frozen) items, gentle gum pressure, and knowing what to avoid will get you through the worst of it.
When Teething Starts and What to Expect
The lower two front teeth typically appear first, between 6 and 10 months. The upper four front teeth follow around 8 to 13 months. After that, teeth fill in roughly in pairs, one on each side of the jaw, until all 20 baby teeth are in place by age 2.5 to 3. A useful rule of thumb: for every six months of life, about four teeth will erupt.
The signs are usually easy to spot. Your baby will drool more than usual, and their gums may look red and swollen where a tooth is pushing through. Other common symptoms include fussiness, difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite, and an intense urge to bite or chew on anything within reach. These symptoms tend to peak in the day or two right before a tooth breaks the surface, then ease off once it’s through.
The Best Ways to Relieve Teething Pain
Pressure on the gums is one of the most effective things you can do. Use a clean finger or a piece of damp gauze and rub your baby’s gums for about two minutes. You can do this as often as needed. The counter-pressure works against the sensation of the tooth pushing up and gives noticeable relief.
Cold also helps. Chill a teething ring, pacifier, or wet washcloth in the refrigerator and let your baby gnaw on it. The cool temperature numbs the gums slightly and reduces swelling. A few important details here: never freeze these items, because something too hard or too cold can actually damage tender gum tissue. Ice and frozen pops carry a real risk of frostbite on the gums. If you use a teething ring, choose one filled with distilled water rather than gel, so it’s safe if your baby’s new teeth puncture it.
For babies who are eating solids, chilled foods like cold cucumber sticks or refrigerated fruit in a mesh feeder can serve double duty as both a snack and a soother. Just keep an eye on your baby while they chew to prevent choking.
What to Avoid
Numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine should not be used on infants. The FDA and the American Academy of Pediatrics both warn against them. These products can cause a rare but serious condition where the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dangerously. They also wash out of the mouth quickly with saliva, making them largely ineffective.
Amber teething necklaces are another product to skip entirely. They pose two distinct dangers: strangulation if the necklace catches on something, and choking if beads break loose. The FDA issued a formal warning after reports of children choking on broken beads and an 18-month-old who was strangled by an amber necklace during a nap. The AAP recommends that infants not wear any jewelry at all. Suffocation is the leading cause of death for children under one year old, and these necklaces add unnecessary risk with no proven benefit.
Handling Nighttime Teething
Night wakings are one of the hardest parts of teething for parents. The pain often feels worse at night because there are fewer distractions. A gum massage with a clean finger right before bed can help your baby settle. You can also offer a chilled washcloth or teething ring during the bedtime routine.
If your baby wakes in the middle of the night, try the gum massage again. Keep the room dim and your interaction calm and brief. The goal is to soothe the immediate pain without turning nighttime wake-ups into a habit that persists after the tooth comes through. Most teething-related sleep disruptions last only a few days per tooth, so consistency with your normal sleep routine pays off once the discomfort passes.
Teething Fever vs. Real Illness
There’s a persistent belief that teething causes high fevers, but the research tells a more nuanced story. A study tracking infants through tooth eruptions found that body temperature does rise slightly around the day a tooth breaks through, peaking at an average of about 37.6°C (99.7°F). That’s a mild elevation, not a true fever. Some babies did reach 38°C (100.4°F), but temperatures significantly higher than that are not explained by teething alone.
This distinction matters because babies are teething on and off from about 6 months to age 3, which overlaps with the period when they’re most vulnerable to infections. It’s easy to blame a fever on teething when something else is going on. If your baby has a temperature above 38°C (100.4°F), especially with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or a rash, treat it as you would any illness rather than assuming teeth are the cause.
Starting Dental Care Early
Once that first tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing. Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. Brush twice a day. Even before teeth come in, you can wipe your baby’s gums with a soft cloth and water after feedings to establish the routine early.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends scheduling your baby’s first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, or by their first birthday, whichever comes first. This initial visit is more about establishing a relationship with a dentist and catching any early issues than it is about a full cleaning. It also gives you a chance to ask questions about fluoride, pacifier use, and what to expect as more teeth come in.