The best ways to help a teething baby involve gentle pressure on the gums, chilled (not frozen) teething rings, and keeping your baby comfortable while each tooth works its way through. Most babies cut their first tooth between 6 and 12 months, and the process continues until all 20 primary teeth are in place around age 2.5 to 3. The good news: simple, safe remedies work well, and the worst of the discomfort usually passes within a few days per tooth.
When Teeth Arrive and What to Expect
The two bottom front teeth typically come in first, followed by the four upper front teeth. After that, teeth fill in roughly in pairs, one on each side of the jaw. A useful rule of thumb: for every six months of life, about four teeth will erupt. Lower teeth generally show up before upper ones.
Not every baby follows this timeline exactly. Some babies are born with a tooth already visible, while others don’t see one until after their first birthday. Both are normal. What stays consistent is the pattern of fussiness, drooling, and gum tenderness that comes with each new tooth pushing through.
Common Teething Symptoms
You’ll likely notice increased drooling, a strong urge to chew on anything within reach, swollen or tender gums, and general irritability. Some babies have disrupted sleep or refuse to eat because of the discomfort. These are all typical and temporary.
Teething can cause a slightly elevated temperature, but anything under 100.4°F. A reading of 100.4°F or higher is considered a true fever and signals an infection, not teething. If your baby has a genuine fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a widespread rash, something else is going on.
Drool Rash
All that extra saliva can irritate the delicate skin around your baby’s mouth, chin, and neck, creating a red, bumpy rash. To prevent it, gently pat the area dry with a soft cloth throughout the day. A barrier cream like Aquaphor or lanolin applied to the skin helps keep moisture from causing further irritation. When bathing your baby, stick with mild, fragrance-free soap to avoid making the rash worse.
Gum Massage and Pressure
One of the simplest and most effective things you can do is rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a piece of wet gauze for about two minutes. The counter-pressure directly eases the aching sensation as the tooth pushes upward. You can do this as often as your baby seems to need it, and there’s no limit on frequency.
For babies older than 12 months, you can wrap a small piece of ice in a wet cloth and gently rub it along the gums. The cold adds a numbing effect on top of the pressure. For younger babies, skip the ice and stick with your finger or gauze.
Choosing Safe Teething Toys
Teething rings made of firm rubber, with or without textured bumps, give your baby something safe to gnaw on. You can chill a teething ring in the refrigerator to provide soothing coolness, but don’t put it in the freezer. A frozen ring becomes rock-hard and can actually bruise or damage tender gums. Avoid fluid-filled teethers as well, since they can leak or break.
A clean, cold washcloth works just as well in a pinch. Wet it, wring it out, and refrigerate it for a few minutes before offering it to your baby. The texture gives them something satisfying to chew, and the cold helps numb sore spots.
When Pain Relief Medication Helps
If your baby is visibly uncomfortable and home remedies aren’t enough, infant acetaminophen is an option. Always dose by your baby’s weight rather than age, since weight-based dosing is more accurate. Check the concentration on the packaging carefully, as infant drops and children’s liquid formulas differ.
Ibuprofen is not recommended for babies under 6 months old. Once your baby is past that age, it becomes another option, again dosed by weight. If you’re unsure about the right amount, your pediatrician’s office can walk you through it quickly over the phone.
Products to Avoid
Several popular teething products carry real safety risks that outweigh any potential benefit.
- Benzocaine gels and liquids. The FDA has warned that over-the-counter oral products containing benzocaine should not be used on infants and children under 2. Benzocaine can cause a life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood’s ability to carry oxygen drops dangerously low. The agency found these products provide “little to no benefit” for teething pain and asked manufacturers to stop marketing them for that purpose.
- Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA urged parents to stop using homeopathic teething tablets containing belladonna after testing revealed that some products from major brands contained far more of the active compounds (atropine, scopolamine, and caffeine) than their labels stated. The inconsistency between tablets means a baby could receive an unpredictable and potentially dangerous dose.
- Amber teething necklaces and jewelry. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that infants wear any jewelry. Amber necklaces pose a dual risk of strangulation and choking if beads break free. The FDA issued a formal warning in 2018 after reports of children choking on loose beads and an 18-month-old dying from strangulation during a nap. There is no credible evidence that amber releases pain-relieving compounds through the skin.
Starting Oral Care Early
Once that first tooth breaks through, it’s time to start brushing. Use a soft-bristled infant toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. That small amount is safe to swallow and enough to protect the new enamel. Stick with the rice-grain amount until your child turns 3.
Brushing twice a day, especially before bed, helps prevent early cavities. Baby teeth are thinner and more vulnerable to decay than adult teeth, and cavities in primary teeth can affect the permanent teeth developing underneath. Getting your baby used to a toothbrush now also makes the routine much easier as they grow into a toddler with strong opinions about everything.
Helping Your Baby Sleep Through It
Teething discomfort often peaks at night when there are fewer distractions. A gum massage right before bed can help take the edge off. If your baby wakes fussing, try the gum pressure technique again before reaching for medication. Keeping the room cool and offering a chilled teething ring during the bedtime routine can also settle them.
The worst of the pain with each tooth typically lasts only a few days, concentrated around the moment the tooth breaks through the gum surface. Molars, which arrive later (usually between 13 and 19 months for the first set), tend to cause more discomfort than the front teeth because of their larger surface area. Knowing this can help you anticipate tougher stretches and plan accordingly.