The safest and most effective medicine for teething babies is acetaminophen (Tylenol), given in the correct dose for your baby’s weight. For babies six months and older, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) is also an option. But most pediatric experts recommend starting with non-drug methods first, since teething pain is mild for most babies and responds well to simple pressure and cold.
Several popular teething products, including numbing gels and homeopathic tablets, have been linked to serious harm in infants. Knowing what to avoid matters just as much as knowing what works.
Why Most Teething Products Are Unsafe
The FDA has issued direct warnings against three categories of teething remedies that many parents still reach for.
Benzocaine gels (sold as Orajel, Anbesol, and similar brands) should not be used for teething. Benzocaine can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, where red blood cells lose their ability to carry oxygen effectively. The FDA warns this can be fatal. These products numb pain temporarily but wear off within minutes, and the risk far outweighs any brief relief.
Lidocaine oral solutions carry a similar warning. The National Library of Medicine states plainly that lidocaine viscous “may cause serious side effects or death in infants or children under 3 years of age” and should not be used for teething pain. Side effects include drowsiness, tremors, difficulty breathing, and seizures.
Homeopathic teething tablets marketed by Hyland’s and CVS were tested by the FDA and found to contain unpredictable levels of belladonna, a toxic plant extract. Some tablets had far more belladonna than their labels stated. The FDA called this a sign of a “poorly controlled manufacturing process” that “poses an unnecessary risk to infants and children under two years of age.” These products were supposed to be diluted to the point of containing virtually no active ingredient, yet lab analysis detected significant amounts.
When Pain Relief Medicine Makes Sense
Most teething discomfort is mild: extra drooling, fussiness, and a desire to chew on everything. Teeth usually start appearing between 6 and 12 months, beginning with the two bottom front teeth. The process continues in pairs until all 20 baby teeth arrive by age 2.5 to 3. Not every tooth causes noticeable pain, and many babies get through it with nothing more than a teething ring.
Medicine becomes reasonable when your baby is clearly uncomfortable, having trouble sleeping, or refusing to eat. In those moments, acetaminophen is the go-to option. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends checking with your pediatrician before giving acetaminophen to any child under 2, primarily to confirm the right dose for your baby’s current weight. Doses can be repeated every four hours if needed, with a maximum of five doses in 24 hours.
Ibuprofen is an alternative for babies who are at least six months old. It lasts slightly longer than acetaminophen (six to eight hours versus four to six) and also reduces inflammation in the gums, which can make it particularly helpful for teething. It should not be given to babies younger than six months.
Both medications work best as occasional tools for rough nights or especially painful eruptions, not as round-the-clock treatment for weeks at a time.
Non-Drug Methods That Actually Help
Teething babies instinctively want to press something against the sore spot on their gums, and that pressure genuinely helps. Cold adds another layer of relief by reducing inflammation. The simplest approaches tend to work best.
- Cold, wet washcloth: Chill a damp washcloth in the refrigerator and let your baby gnaw on it. The texture, cold, and pressure combine for effective relief.
- Teething rings: Silicone, rubber, or wood teethers give your baby something safe to bite down on. Chill them in the fridge for extra soothing, but don’t freeze them solid. A frozen-hard teether can bruise tender gums.
- Gum massage: Rubbing your clean finger firmly across your baby’s gums provides direct pressure right where it hurts. A soft infant toothbrush works too.
- Semi-frozen fruit: For babies already eating solids, partially thawed fruit (like a pineapple ring or banana chunk) gives them something cold and tasty to mouth. Watch closely for choking.
Teething wafers are available but should only go to babies who are already handling solid foods confidently, since pieces can break off and pose a choking risk.
Skip the Amber Necklaces
Amber teething necklaces are marketed with the claim that body heat releases a pain-relieving compound from the amber beads. There is no scientific evidence supporting this. What does exist are reports of infant strangulation and choking. The FDA has documented deaths from these products, and the American Academy of Pediatrics advises against any necklaces, chains, or strings worn around a young child’s neck. The risk of strangulation, particularly during sleep, is real and well-documented.
Teething Fever vs. Actual Illness
Teething can cause a slight rise in body temperature, typically in the range of 99 to 100°F. This is not a true fever. A temperature of 100.4°F or higher counts as a fever and should not be blamed on teething alone.
If your baby has a temperature over 100.4 along with symptoms like a runny nose, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash, something else is likely going on. Teething and illness often overlap because the 6-to-24-month window when teeth are erupting is also the period when babies are losing their maternal antibodies and catching more infections. It’s easy to attribute a virus to teething, which can delay getting the right care.
For babies under 12 weeks old, any fever at all needs immediate medical attention, as it can signal a serious infection at that age.