Safe Teething Remedies for Babies
The short answer
The safest teething remedies include chilled (not frozen) teething rings, gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and cold washcloths to chew on. For significant pain, infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen (6 months+) can be used as directed. The FDA warns against benzocaine gels (Orajel), homeopathic teething tablets, and amber teething necklaces due to serious safety risks including choking, strangulation, and methemoglobinemia.
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-6 months
Before teeth emerge, babies may drool excessively and chew on hands or objects. Offer a clean, chilled (not frozen) rubber teething ring or a cold, damp washcloth for gnawing. Gently rubbing your baby's gums with a clean finger can provide relief. Avoid teething biscuits or food-based teethers for babies not yet eating solids. Do NOT use benzocaine gels (like Baby Orajel), which the FDA warns can cause a rare but dangerous condition called methemoglobinemia. Only use infant acetaminophen for pain if recommended by your pediatrician.
6-12 months
As teeth begin erupting, teething discomfort may increase. Chilled teething toys, cold spoons, and cold fruit in a mesh feeder can help. Infant ibuprofen can be used after 6 months (with pediatrician guidance) and may be more effective than acetaminophen for teething pain because it also reduces gum inflammation. Amber teething necklaces are NOT recommended by the AAP - they pose choking and strangulation risks with no proven pain relief benefit. Homeopathic teething tablets have been linked to adverse events and should be avoided.
12-36 months
Molar teething in toddlers can be more painful due to the larger tooth surface. Continue using chilled teething toys and pain relievers as needed. A chilled, wet washcloth or cold fruit can soothe sore gums. Avoid hard foods or toys that could break and pose a choking risk. Some toddlers find relief from chewing on silicone toothbrushes. If your toddler seems to have excessive pain with teething, consult your pediatrician - high fever and significant illness are NOT normal teething symptoms and may indicate another condition.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is fussy and drooling more than usual but is still eating and sleeping reasonably well.
- Your baby wants to chew on everything and is comforted by cold teething toys.
- Mild gum swelling and redness are visible where a new tooth is emerging.
- Teething pain seems severe enough to significantly affect eating and sleep for more than a few days.
- You are unsure about the correct dosage of pain medication for your baby.
- Your baby has a large bluish bump on the gum (eruption cyst) that concerns you.
- Your baby has a fever over 101F (38.3C) - this is NOT caused by teething and needs evaluation.
- Your baby has accidentally ingested benzocaine gel or homeopathic teething tablets.
- Your baby is choking on a teething toy or piece of a teething necklace.
Sources
Related Resources
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician.
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Related Medical Concerns
Baby Teething Order and Timeline
Baby teeth typically begin appearing around 6 months, though the range is 4-12 months. The usual order is: lower central incisors first, then upper central incisors, followed by lateral incisors, first molars, canines, and second molars. Most children have all 20 primary teeth by age 3. Late teething (no teeth by 12-13 months) is usually normal and often runs in families, but should be mentioned to your pediatrician.
My Baby Grinds Their Teeth
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is surprisingly common in babies and toddlers, affecting up to 30% of young children. Most children grind their teeth as they explore their new teeth or self-soothe, and the vast majority outgrow it completely by age 6 with no lasting damage to their teeth.
Baby Refusing Solid Foods
It is common for babies to refuse solid foods when first introduced around 4-6 months. Babies may need 10-15 exposures to a new food before accepting it. The tongue-thrust reflex, which causes babies to push food out of their mouths, is normal and fades with practice. As long as your baby is getting adequate nutrition from breast milk or formula, there is no rush. Continue offering a variety of foods without pressure.
My Baby's Head Shape Looks Abnormal
Many babies develop temporary head shape irregularities that are completely normal. A cone-shaped head from vaginal delivery reshapes within days. Mild positional flattening (plagiocephaly) from sleeping on the back is very common and usually improves with repositioning and tummy time. However, head shape changes involving ridges, a persistently bulging fontanelle, or rapid head growth changes should be evaluated to rule out craniosynostosis.
Achondroplasia (Dwarfism) in Babies
Achondroplasia is the most common form of short-limbed dwarfism, affecting about 1 in 15,000 to 40,000 births. It is caused by a mutation in the FGFR3 gene and is usually apparent at birth with characteristic features including short limbs, a larger head, and a prominent forehead. Intelligence is normal. With monitoring for specific complications and supportive care, children with achondroplasia lead full, active, and independent lives.
Adenoid Hypertrophy and Breathing
Adenoids are lymphoid tissue located behind the nose that help fight infection in young children. When adenoids become enlarged (adenoid hypertrophy), they can block the nasal airway, causing chronic mouth breathing, snoring, nasal speech, and sleep-disordered breathing. Enlarged adenoids are most common between ages 2-7 and are a leading cause of obstructive sleep apnea in young children. Treatment ranges from watchful waiting and nasal steroids to surgical removal (adenoidectomy) if breathing or sleep is significantly affected.