While teething is a normal developmental milestone for babies, it’s natural to want to help your child feel more comfortable.
Dr. Pallavi Kamra, pediatrician at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Rock Hill Pediatrics, emphasizes the importance of providing comfort during teething.
“As a parent, it can be hard to watch your child go through the teething process,” says Kamra. “The good news is there are several ways you can help them feel more comfortable during this important milestone.”
When does teething occur?
Teething is the process where your baby’s teeth emerge through their gums. It typically begins between ages four to seven months, with primary teeth (also called baby teeth) coming in between six months to one year of age. You’ll likely notice their two bottom front teeth come in first. Then, their top four front teeth will start to fill in.
After that, your baby’s molars will start to come in around 13 to 19 months. By age 3, your child should have a full set of teeth, typically 10 bottom teeth and 10 top teeth.
Signs and symptoms of teething
So, how do you know if your baby may be teething? Every baby experiences teething differently, but Kamra says the most common signs include:
- Chewing or biting on objects
- Fussiness
- Trouble sleeping
- Decreased appetite
- Irritability
- Drooling
- Tender or swollen gums
- Pulling or rubbing on their ear
- Coughing
- Placing their hands on their mouth
- Slight increase in body temperature, but not a fever (less than 100.4 degrees F is OK)
When to contact your baby’s healthcare team
Contact your child’s health care team if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Fever above 100.4 degrees F
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Signs of infection, such as bleeding, red or swollen gums with pus
- Severe irritability or prolonged discomfort
- Difficulty eating
- Excessive drooling
“If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s worth checking in with your baby’s pediatrician or health care team,” says Kamra.
How to soothe a teething baby
There are several ways to ease your baby’s teething discomfort at home, shares Kamra:
- Gently rub their gums with a clean finger, moist washcloth or cool spoon.
- Give them a clean, solid rubber teething object to chew on. Be sure the object is big enough so it can’t be swallowed and that it can’t be broken into smaller pieces.
- Refrigerate their pacifier or a damp washcloth for a simple DIY teething option.
- Ask your pediatrician about giving your baby a dose of ibuprofen or acetaminophen if they are very uncomfortable.
- Offer cold, soft foods like yogurt or applesauce if your child eats solid foods.
- Regularly wipe their face with a damp washcloth to remove drool and prevent rashes.
- Clean teething objects and washcloths after each use.
Once your baby’s first tooth has come through, clean their gums with a clean, wet washcloth at least once a day.
What to avoid when your baby is teething
Kamra says there are several teething remedies to avoid, including:
- Teething objects or rings that are made of plastic, frozen or filled with liquid, as these can easily break or be too hard for your baby’s mouth.
- Boiling teething objects to sterilize them, as this can cause damage and potential leakage of chemicals.
- Tying a teething ring around your baby’s neck or another body part, as this poses a strangulation risk.
- Teething bracelets and necklaces made from wood, marble, amber or silicone, as they can pose a choking or strangulation risk.
- Numbing creams and gels, as they can numb the back of your baby’s throat and make swallowing difficult. Especially avoid any teething products that contain benzocaine, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the ingredient can cause rare, but serious, side effects.
- Homeopathic tablets, which can be dangerous to infants.
- Honey or rubbing alcohol, because they aren’t safe for infants.
- Letting them fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice as this can cause plaque buildup and tooth decay.
“While it can be heartbreaking to see your baby in pain from teething, just know the process is temporary, normal and manageable,” says Kamra. “If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician. We’re happy to help — that’s what we’re here for.”
Find a Levine Children’s pediatrician near you.
