The most effective ways to soothe teething pain are simple: gentle pressure on the gums, chilled (not frozen) teething toys, and, when needed, a weight-appropriate dose of infant pain reliever. Most babies cut their first tooth between 6 and 12 months, and the process continues until all 20 baby teeth are in around age 2.5 to 3. Some days will be easy; others will test your patience. Here’s what actually works and what to avoid.
What Teething Looks and Feels Like
The two bottom front teeth usually appear first, typically between 6 and 10 months. Next come the four upper front teeth, followed by the rest filling in roughly in pairs on each side of the jaw. The timeline varies widely from baby to baby, but the pattern is generally consistent: front teeth first, then first molars (13 to 19 months), canines (16 to 23 months), and second molars last (23 to 33 months).
Common signs include swollen or tender gums, increased drooling, fussiness, and a strong urge to chew on everything. Some babies run a low-grade temperature under 101°F. If your baby’s temperature rises above 101°F or they develop diarrhea or a runny nose, that’s more likely a virus than teething.
Pressure and Cold: The Two Best Tools
Babies instinctively want to press something against their gums because counter-pressure relieves the ache of a tooth pushing through tissue. A clean finger works well. Gently rub or massage the gums with firm, steady pressure, and you’ll often see immediate relief. A cold, damp washcloth is another reliable option: wet it, wring it out, and chill it in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes before offering it.
Teething rings made from food-grade or medical-grade silicone are a safe, durable choice. Look for products labeled BPA-free, phthalate-free, and latex-free. Chill teething toys in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. A frozen teether becomes uncomfortably hard and can actually damage tender gums. Fillable silicone teethers let you add breast milk, formula, or fruit puree before refrigerating, which gives your baby something to taste along with the cooling sensation.
Avoid liquid-filled teething rings. If a baby chews through the outer material, they can swallow whatever is inside.
When Teething Disrupts Feeding
Sore gums can make babies reluctant to latch or take a bottle. The sucking motion puts pressure on inflamed tissue, and some babies respond by refusing to eat or biting during feeds. If your baby usually breastfeeds but pulls away because of pain, try offering breast milk from a cup, spoon, or syringe as a temporary workaround. This keeps them nourished without forcing them to suck on sore gums. Most feeding disruptions from teething resolve within a few days as the tooth breaks through.
Helping Your Baby Sleep Through It
Teething pain often feels worse at night because there are fewer distractions. If your baby is waking frequently, a gentle gum massage or a cold washcloth can help settle them back down without fully waking them. Before bed, try a warm bath or a light massage to help them relax. White noise on a low setting can also smooth the transition to sleep.
If comfort measures alone aren’t enough, a dose of infant pain reliever before bedtime can help your baby fall asleep and stay asleep longer. More on that below.
Pain Relievers: What’s Safe
Infant acetaminophen is safe from birth and can take the edge off on especially rough days. Infant ibuprofen is an option starting at 6 months. Always dose by your baby’s weight, not their age, and follow the intervals on the packaging (every 6 to 8 hours for ibuprofen). Your pediatrician can confirm the right dose at any well visit.
These medications are best reserved for the worst stretches rather than used around the clock. Most teething discomfort is mild enough to manage with pressure, cold, and distraction.
Products to Avoid
Several widely sold teething products carry real risks.
- Benzocaine and lidocaine gels. The FDA warns that topical numbing gels offer little benefit for teething and can cause serious harm. Benzocaine can trigger a condition called methemoglobinemia, which drastically reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Lidocaine solutions can cause seizures, heart problems, and severe brain injury in infants if too much is applied or accidentally swallowed.
- Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA found that tablets marketed by major brands contained inconsistent and sometimes dangerously high levels of belladonna alkaloids and caffeine. The agency issued multiple warning letters and urged parents to stop using these products entirely.
- Amber teething necklaces. These are marketed as natural pain relief, but there is no peer-reviewed evidence they work. They do pose documented strangulation and choking risks. Health Canada and multiple pediatric organizations warn against them.
Managing Drool Rash
Teething ramps up saliva production, and all that drool pooling around the mouth, chin, neck folds, and chest can irritate the skin. The key is keeping those areas dry. Keep a soft, clean cloth nearby and gently blot (don’t rub) drool away throughout the day, especially after feedings and naps. A bib helps keep saliva off your baby’s shirt and skin; swap it out for a dry one when it gets damp.
Once the skin is completely dry, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a healing ointment like Aquaphor to create a barrier between the drool and your baby’s skin. Wash the affected area gently with warm water twice a day and pat dry with a soft cloth. Skip medicated soaps, fragranced lotions, and rough towels, all of which can make the irritation worse. If you use baby wash or lotion elsewhere on their body, stick to mild, fragrance-free versions during teething flare-ups.
What to Expect As More Teeth Come In
The first few teeth tend to cause the most fussiness, partly because the sensation is brand new. Many parents notice that later teeth, even the larger molars, bother their baby less. That said, the first molars (which come in around 13 to 19 months) and canines (16 to 23 months) have broader surfaces pushing through the gums, so some babies do have a second rough patch during that window. The final set, the second molars, typically arrives between 23 and 33 months, by which point most toddlers handle the discomfort with less disruption to sleep and feeding.
Every baby’s experience is different. Some sail through with barely a whimper; others have a tough few days with each new tooth. The good news is that the same basic toolkit, pressure, cold, and patience, works from the first incisor to the last molar.