The best relief for teething babies combines gentle pressure on the gums with cool (not frozen) temperatures. Most pediatric guidelines point to chilled teething rings, cold washcloths, and clean-finger gum massage as the safest, most effective options. Medication is rarely needed, and several popular products marketed for teething are actually dangerous.
Why Teething Hurts
Teeth develop deep in the jawbone and slowly push upward through the gum tissue. As a tooth nears the surface, the overlying gum becomes swollen and tender. This process typically starts around 6 months, when the lower front teeth begin to emerge, though some babies start earlier or later. The upper front teeth follow at 8 to 12 months, with side teeth arriving between 9 and 16 months. The first molars, which tend to cause the most discomfort because of their larger surface area, push through between 13 and 19 months.
Each tooth can cause several days of soreness before and after it breaks through. Your baby may drool more than usual, chew on anything within reach, and become fussy, particularly at night. Some babies sail through with barely a whimper; others struggle with nearly every tooth.
Gum Massage and Pressure
Firm, steady pressure on the gums is one of the simplest ways to ease teething pain. Wash your hands, then 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 temporarily overrides the aching sensation from the tooth pushing upward. Many babies will instinctively bite down on your finger, which is a good sign the pressure is helping.
Chilled Items That Work
Cold reduces swelling and numbs sore gum tissue, which is why chilled teething rings and washcloths are consistently recommended by pediatricians. The key word is “chilled,” not “frozen.” Place teething rings, pacifiers, or damp washcloths in the refrigerator rather than the freezer. Frozen items can actually cause frostbite on delicate gum tissue, and rock-hard rings are uncomfortable to chew on.
When choosing a teething ring, look for one filled with distilled water rather than gel. If your baby’s new teeth puncture the ring, water is harmless if swallowed. For babies older than 12 months, you can offer chilled soft fruit like banana slices or berries inside a mesh feeder, which lets them gnaw on something cold and tasty without a choking risk. Ice cubes wrapped in a wet cloth also work well for babies over age 1, but skip ice pops and plain ice for younger infants.
When to Consider Pain Medication
Most teething episodes don’t require medication, but if your baby is truly miserable and nothing else is helping, infant acetaminophen is an option at any age. Ibuprofen is safe only for babies 6 months and older. Both are dosed by weight, not age, so check the packaging or ask your pediatrician for the correct amount based on your baby’s most recent weight.
Pain medication works best for nighttime fussiness that’s disrupting sleep. It’s not something you need to give around the clock for days. A single dose before bed on a particularly rough night is typically enough.
Products to Avoid
Several widely sold teething products pose real dangers to infants.
Benzocaine Gels and Liquids
Over-the-counter numbing gels containing benzocaine (sold under brand names like Orajel) should not be used on children under 2. The FDA issued a direct warning after reports of a life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia, in which the blood loses its ability to carry oxygen effectively. The agency found these products “carry serious risks and provide little to no benefit” for teething pain. Manufacturers were told to stop marketing them for infant use.
The reason these gels don’t work well even when they’re not causing harm: saliva washes the numbing agent off the gums within minutes, so any relief is extremely short-lived.
Amber Teething Necklaces
Amber necklaces are marketed with the claim that body heat releases a natural pain reliever from the beads. There is no scientific evidence supporting this. What is well documented is the risk: the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants not wear any jewelry. Teething necklaces pose a strangulation hazard when worn around the neck and a choking hazard if the strand breaks and beads scatter. If you already own one, removing it during sleep and any unsupervised time is essential, though wearing it on the wrist or ankle is safer than the neck.
Homeopathic Teething Tablets
The FDA has also warned about certain homeopathic teething tablets after testing revealed inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic plant extract. These products are not regulated the same way as conventional medicines, so what’s on the label may not match what’s in the tablet.
Teething vs. Illness
One of the trickiest parts of teething is figuring out whether your baby’s symptoms are from a new tooth or from being sick. Teething can raise body temperature slightly, up to about 100.3°F, but it does not cause a true fever. It also does not cause diarrhea, vomiting, persistent coughing, or cold symptoms. Because babies start teething right around the same age their immune protection from the womb begins to fade, it’s common for teething and minor infections to overlap, which is how teething got blamed for symptoms it doesn’t actually cause.
If your baby’s temperature rises above 100.4°F, or if they develop diarrhea, a rash unrelated to drool irritation, or seem unusually lethargic, something other than teething is likely going on.
Caring for New Teeth
As soon as the first tooth appears, it needs to be cleaned. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends brushing twice daily with a soft, baby-sized toothbrush and a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. This thin layer provides cavity protection without posing a risk if swallowed. Many parents skip this step because the teeth seem so small, but baby teeth are surprisingly vulnerable to decay, and early cavities can affect the permanent teeth developing underneath.
Before any teeth have erupted, wiping the gums with a damp cloth after feedings helps establish a routine and keeps bacteria levels low, which can actually make the teething process slightly less irritating when teeth do start breaking through.