How to Soothe a Teething Baby

How to Soothe a Teething Baby

You and your baby have finally settled into a great bedtime and sleep routine (and past the four month sleep regression!), and you’re coasting on some well-deserved parenting confidence. Then it happens: your previously content, good-sleeping baby is fussy, irritable, and waking up throughout the night. Sound familiar? You’ve probably hit a major milestone—teething.

While the crankiness isn’t fun for anyone, there are plenty of safe home remedies for soothing your teething baby.

What Is Teething?

Your baby is teething when the first baby teeth begin erupting through the gums. This process, also known as odontiasis, involves the tooth moving from its position within the jawbone to emerge through the gum line. This pressure and movement can cause inflammation and discomfort. Typically, the first two teeth to erupt are the bottom central incisors (the two bottom front teeth). Lower teeth tend to erupt before upper teeth, and teeth usually erupt in pairs.

When Does Teething Begin?

Most babies begin teething at 6 months, but teething timelines aren’t set in stone—your baby may not get their first tooth until their first birthday arrives! And most (but not all) children will have all 20 of their baby teeth by the time they’re 3.

While every child is different, there is a general pattern to teeth. Here is a typical timeline for when you can expect to see those little pearly whites:

• Central Incisors (front teeth):
  • Bottom: 6-10 months
  • Top: 8-12 months
• Lateral Incisors (next to front teeth):
  • Top: 9-13 months
  • Bottom: 10-16 months
• First Molars (back teeth):
  • Top: 13-19 months
  • Bottom: 14-18 months
• Canines (pointed teeth):
  • Top: 16-22 months
  • Bottom: 17-23 months
• Second Molars (very back teeth):
  • Bottom: 23-31 months
  • Top: 25-33 months

What Are Signs of Teething?

There are a lot of myths surrounding teething, and you’ve probably heard them all. The only reliable sign of teething is a new tooth poking through, or seeing a bluish, fluid-filled sac on the gums called an eruption cyst, which is generally harmless and will resolve on its own. But you may also notice:

• Increased fussiness and irritability.
• Swollen and red gums.
• Increased drooling and chewing on toys and fingers. Excessive drooling is the body’s natural way of trying to soothe the tender gums. This can sometimes lead to a mild "drool rash" on the chin, neck, or chest. Keeping the area clean and dry can help prevent this.
• Less interest in solid foods. Sucking and chewing can put uncomfortable pressure on sore gums, leading to a temporary nursing strike or refusal of solids.
• Changes in sleeping patterns. Discomfort doesn't stop when the sun goes down, often leading to more frequent night wakings.
• Pulling at ears or rubbing their cheeks. Pain in the gums, especially from emerging molars, can radiate to the cheeks and ears.

Keep in mind that every symptom listed above can also be part of normal development. No one’s always in a good mood, including babies.

Tips for Soothing a Teething Baby

It can be tough to watch your little experience teething pain, but fortunately, there are plenty of safe options to ease fussiness and soothe sore gums. Best of all, most of them involve everyday household items that won’t cost an extra dime. We can break down the most effective remedies into four categories: Pressure, Cold, Food, and Comfort.

Applying Gentle Pressure

Counter-pressure can provide significant relief to aching gums.

• Use your clean fingers or a damp washcloth to gently massage your baby’s gums in a slow, circular motion. You can also purchase a silicone finger-brush, which has soft bristles that can feel good on the gums.
• Offer a solid teething toy made of firm rubber or silicone. The act of chewing provides that needed counter-pressure.

Using Cold to Numb Discomfort

Cold temperatures have a numbing effect that can temporarily dull the pain.

• Cool a damp washcloth in your fridge on a clean surface, and allow your baby to chew on it. Just remember, you don’t want to freeze it. A frozen washcloth or teether can be too hard for a baby's sensitive gums and could even cause minor frostbite or bruising.
• If you’ve introduced solids, try feeding your little one cool foods, like yogurt and applesauce straight from the refrigerator.
• Chill a spoon in the fridge, and use the rounded back on your baby’s gums to apply cooling pressure for relief.
• Solid teething rings and toys (avoid using any teether that’s filled with gel or other liquid) can also be cooled in the fridge for your baby to chew on. Teethers that are easy to grip will be less frustrating to your fussy baby, too.

Teething-Friendly Foods and Drinks

• For babies eating solids, a mesh or silicone feeder can be a game-changer. You can place a piece of cool or frozen fruit (like banana, strawberries, or melon) inside. This allows your baby to safely gnaw on the cold food without the risk of choking.
• Offer hard, unsweetened teething biscuits or crackers, but only when your baby is sitting upright and under direct supervision to monitor for any choking.
• Keep your baby hydrated. If they are refusing to eat due to mouth pain, ensure they are still taking in enough breast milk, formula, or water (for babies over 6 months) to stay hydrated.

Comfort and Distraction

Sometimes, the best remedy is a change of scenery or a little extra love.

• Your baby will be extra drool-y, so make sure to keep their mouth and chin dry to avoid a rash. Use a soft, absorbent bib and gently pat the area dry throughout the day. Applying a thin layer of a barrier cream like petroleum jelly can protect the skin.
  Give your baby extra TLC! Plenty of hugs, cuddles, and snuggles will comfort your little one.
• A warm bath can be very relaxing for a fussy baby and serve as a great distraction from the discomfort.
• Introduce a new toy, sing songs, or go for a walk outside. A change of environment can sometimes be enough to shift their focus away from the pain.

Teethings FAQs

Can Teething Cause a Fever?

Fever accompanying teething is one persistent old wives’ tale. While teething can cause a slight rise in your baby’s temperature, sometimes called a "low-grade" temperature (under 100.4°F or 38°C), it shouldn’t cause a true fever. If your baby’s temperature reaches 100.4°F or your baby has diarrhea, vomiting, or seems unusually listless, it’s time to call the doctor. These are signs of an illness, not teething.

Is It Okay to Use Pain Medication?

For particularly rough days or nights when other remedies aren't helping, an over-the-counter pain reliever may be an option, but it should never be your first line of defense. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) can be used for teething pain.

Crucially, you must ALWAYS consult your pediatrician before giving your baby any medication to confirm that it is appropriate and to get the correct dosage based on your baby's most recent weight. Never give ibuprofen to a baby under 6 months old unless specifically directed by your doctor. Aspirin should never be given to children due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

Are There Teething Remedies You Should Avoid?

To safely treat your little one’s teething pain, the Mayo Clinic warns parents to avoid using:

• All over-the-counter topical treatments that are meant to be applied directly to your baby’s gums and teething tablets, including ones labeled “homeopathic”. The FDA has issued warnings against homeopathic teething tablets due to inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance. There’s no evidence that either provides any relief to your fussy little one.
• Medications containing benzocaine or lidocaine which can be harmful—and even fatal—to babies and young children. These ingredients can cause a rare but serious condition called methemoglobinemia, which reduces the amount of oxygen carried in the blood.
• Teething necklaces, bracelets, and anklets (more on that, below).

Are Teething Bracelets, Necklaces and Other Jewelry Safe?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends against using teething jewelry that claims to reduce teething pain. Teething necklaces and bracelets pose a risk for choking, strangulation, infection, and mouth injury. So while that amber jewelry may be super cute, it’s best to stick to pediatrician-approved remedies for teething symptoms.

How Should You Care for Your Baby’s New Teeth?

Many parents wonder if it’s important to take care of baby (primary) teeth, given that they fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth. But taking care of baby teeth is critical for several reasons:

• Research shows that diet and dental hygiene during the baby and toddler years reduce the chance of tooth decay as your little one grows up.
• Primary teeth—like permanent teeth—are susceptible to cavities. In fact, 23% of all kids under 5 will get a cavity, which may end up requiring a tooth extraction. Cavities in baby teeth can be painful and lead to infection.
• If baby teeth require removal, there will be gaps without erupting permanent teeth. Those gaps can allow teeth to shift and may prevent permanent teeth from coming in correctly. Down the road, that could mean braces.
• Kids need healthy teeth to chew, speak properly, and even smile.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommend that all children have a dental visit before their first birthday. So when that first tooth appears, go ahead and schedule an appointment. This first visit is often more about educating parents and getting the child comfortable in a dental setting than performing a major procedure.

You’ll also want to start brushing those pearly whites and introducing fluoride, as well. Use a soft bristled brush (or one made from silicone) and a small amount of toothpaste with fluoride (for teething babies, about the size of a grain of rice) to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day. Aim for brushing after breakfast and right before bedtime.

How Can You Keep Your Baby’s New Teeth Healthy?

Good oral hygiene is so important to your child’s overall health and development, and the AAP has great everyday guidelines for maintaining dental health:

• Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle! Sugars in formula and breastmilk will linger in your little one’s mouth, increasing the chance for tooth decay. This condition is known as "baby bottle tooth decay."
• If your baby is over 6 months old, add 4-8 ounces of water—which contains fluoride, a natural mineral that prevents cavities—to their daily diet.
• Research suggests that breastfeeding the first year can cut the risk for tooth decay in half (likely because it boosts your baby’s immune system and keeps their gut biome healthy).
• Even before your baby is teething, get in the habit of wiping down their gums with a clean damp washcloth after each feeding. This removes bacteria and gets them used to the sensation of oral cleaning.
• Introduce brushing with a fluoride toothpaste once new teeth poke through, and once your baby is about a year old, introduce twice daily brushing for 2 minutes at a time. (There are some fun apps and YouTube videos to help with this!)
• Around your child’s first birthday, introduce a cup and begin transitioning off a bottle.
• Avoid sugary drinks, like soda, juice, or anything with added sweeteners. Juice isn’t recommended for any baby under 12 months, and even after, the AAP recommends limiting juice to 4 ounces a day—and doing a 50/50 mix of juice and water is best.
• Be a water-drinking family! Make water the primary drink choice in your home.
• Plan on seeing a dentist twice yearly for your child to receive a fluoride varnish (a preventative care service and covered by all public and private health insurance plans).

Do You Need to Call a Doctor?

While teething can definitely interrupt sleep, cause discomfort, and make your baby seriously fussy, its symptoms should be manageable and relatively temporary (generally, cutting a teeth should only cause your baby 3 or 4 days of pain around the time of eruption).

If your baby has a fever (100.4°F or higher), diarrhea, is inconsolable despite trying multiple remedies, or is refusing to eat or drink for an extended period, it’s time to check in with your pediatrician. These symptoms point toward an underlying illness that needs to be addressed and should not be dismissed as "just teething."

Finding What’s Right for You

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