The most effective teething relief combines gentle pressure on your baby’s gums with cold temperatures. A clean finger, chilled teething rings, and cold washcloths are the go-to remedies, and they work better than any gel or tablet on the market. Most babies start teething between 6 and 12 months, with the full set of 20 primary teeth arriving by age 2.5 to 3.
What Teething Actually Looks Like
The first signs are usually drooling, fussiness, and a strong urge to chew on everything. Your baby’s gums may look swollen or red where a tooth is pushing through. Some babies pull at their ears or rub their cheeks on the side where the tooth is coming in. Feeding behavior often changes too: babies may adjust their latch while nursing or refuse the breast temporarily because sucking puts pressure on sore gums.
Teething does not cause a true fever. It can nudge your baby’s temperature slightly above normal, but it won’t reach 100.4°F (38°C). If your baby hits that threshold, something else is going on, likely an infection, and the fever shouldn’t be written off as teething.
Gum Massage and Pressure
Simple pressure on swollen gums is one of the fastest ways to ease discomfort. Rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or a piece of wet gauze for about two minutes. You can do this as often as your baby needs it. The counter-pressure works against the sensation of a tooth pushing up through the tissue, giving almost immediate relief. Many parents find this especially helpful right before a feeding or at bedtime when fussiness peaks.
Cold Items That Soothe
Cold numbs the gums naturally and reduces swelling. Chill a teething ring, pacifier, or wet washcloth in the refrigerator, then let your baby gnaw on it. If you’re buying teething rings, look for ones filled with distilled water rather than gel, since a new tooth can puncture the ring.
For babies older than 12 months, you can offer chilled soft fruit like banana slices or berries in a mesh feeder. You can also wrap a small piece of ice in a wet cloth and rub it across the gums. Avoid giving ice or frozen pops directly, as these can cause frostbite on delicate gum tissue. And skip hard foods that could break off and become a choking hazard.
Pain Relievers for Tough Nights
When cold washcloths and gum massage aren’t cutting it, infant acetaminophen is an option for babies 8 weeks and older. Ibuprofen can be used starting at 6 months. Both are dosed by weight, not age, so check the dosing chart on the package or ask your pediatrician for the right amount. Acetaminophen can be given every 4 to 6 hours (no more than 5 times in 24 hours), while ibuprofen is spaced every 6 to 8 hours (no more than 4 times in 24 hours).
If your baby is actively cutting teeth and struggling to sleep, it’s reasonable to give a dose before bedtime for several nights in a row. Sleep disruptions during teething are common, and preemptive pain relief at bedtime can help everyone rest.
Products to Avoid
Some of the most heavily marketed teething products are the most dangerous ones. The FDA has issued direct warnings against using benzocaine gels (sold over the counter as oral numbing agents) on infants. Benzocaine can trigger a condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood loses its ability to carry oxygen effectively. It can be fatal. Prescription lidocaine solutions are equally dangerous for young children, with risks including seizures, heart problems, and severe brain injury.
Homeopathic teething tablets have also drawn FDA warnings. Some have been found to contain inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic plant extract. The bottom line: numbing gels and homeopathic tablets offer little to no benefit and carry real, documented risks.
Amber teething necklaces are another product to skip. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against infants wearing any jewelry. The risks are strangulation (especially during sleep or unsupervised play) and choking if the necklace breaks and your baby swallows the beads. There is no credible evidence that amber releases any pain-relieving substance through the skin.
Nursing and Feeding During Teething
Teething babies often change their latch or position at the breast to avoid putting pressure on sore spots. Some babies bite down to relieve the soreness. If you notice your baby’s tongue shifting during a feed, you can slide a finger into the corner of their mouth so they bite your finger instead. If biting does happen, a calm but firm “no bite” followed by briefly turning the baby away from you teaches them quickly that biting stops the feeding.
Before nursing, try rubbing the gums or offering a cold washcloth for a minute or two. Starting a feed with less gum irritation makes the whole session smoother. Experimenting with different breastfeeding positions can also help, particularly ones where your baby’s weight is well supported and the latch stays secure.
Caring for New Teeth
Start brushing the moment you see that first tooth. Use a baby toothbrush with a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, just enough to barely cover the bristles. Brush at least twice a day: once before bed and once at another consistent time. The easiest method for most parents is sitting the baby on your lap with their head resting against your chest, then brushing in small circles across all surfaces. Let your child spit out the toothpaste but don’t rinse with water afterward, since rinsing washes away the fluoride that protects the new enamel.
This routine matters even though these teeth will eventually fall out. Primary teeth hold space for adult teeth and are vulnerable to decay from the start, especially if your baby falls asleep with milk pooling around the gums.