Safe Teething Pain Relief Methods
The short answer
Safe teething pain relief includes chilled (not frozen) teething rings, gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and age-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen (ibuprofen only for babies 6 months and older). The FDA warns against using benzocaine gels, homeopathic teething tablets, and lidocaine products for infants. Amber teething necklaces are a choking and strangulation hazard and have no proven benefit.
By Age
What to expect by age
Teething is uncommon at this age, but if it occurs, safe options are limited. Gently rub the baby's gums with a clean, cool, wet washcloth. Chilled teething rings made of solid rubber can be offered. Avoid pain medications at this age unless specifically advised by your pediatrician.
This is when many babies begin teething. Safe options include chilled (not frozen) teething rings, gum massage with a clean finger, and a cold wet washcloth to gnaw on. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used as directed by your pediatrician for significant discomfort. Ibuprofen should not be used until 6 months of age.
Both acetaminophen and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) can now be used for teething pain, dosed by weight per your pediatrician's guidance. Chilled teething toys, cold washcloths, and gum massage remain effective. Mesh feeder bags with chilled fruit can soothe gums. Avoid teething gels with benzocaine (Orajel) as the FDA has warned against their use in children under 2.
Molar eruption can be particularly uncomfortable. Continue with safe methods: chilled foods, cold washcloths, teething toys, and weight-appropriate doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Frozen bagels or cold fruits in a mesh feeder can help. Never use products containing benzocaine, lidocaine, or homeopathic teething tablets.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby is fussy, drooling more, and wanting to chew on things during teething
- Teething discomfort lasts a few days around the time each tooth erupts
- Your baby is soothed by chilled teething rings, gum massage, or an appropriate dose of pain reliever
- Mild gum swelling and redness at the eruption site
- Teething discomfort seems unusually severe or prolonged, lasting more than a few days per tooth
- Your baby refuses to eat or drink due to apparent mouth pain
- You are unsure about the correct dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen for your baby's weight
- Your baby has a fever over 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C), which is not caused by teething and suggests an illness that needs medical evaluation
- You suspect your baby has ingested a teething product containing benzocaine or a homeopathic teething remedy and is showing symptoms like seizures, difficulty breathing, or unusual drowsiness
Sources
Related Resources
Related Medical Concerns
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.
Air Quality and Baby Health
Babies and young children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults because they breathe faster, their lungs are still developing, and they spend more time close to the ground where some pollutants concentrate. The EPA recommends keeping babies indoors when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 100 (orange level). During wildfire smoke events, keep windows closed, use air purifiers with HEPA filters, and monitor your child for coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to air pollution can affect lung development.
Altitude Sickness in Babies
Babies and toddlers can experience altitude sickness when traveling above 5,000-8,000 feet (1,500-2,500 meters). Symptoms are harder to recognize in infants because they cannot describe how they feel. Watch for unusual fussiness, poor feeding, disrupted sleep, vomiting, and fast breathing. Gradual ascent is the best prevention. Most pediatricians recommend avoiding sleeping at very high altitudes (above 8,000 feet) with infants when possible, and descending immediately if symptoms appear.
Amblyopia (Lazy Eye) Treatment Timing
Amblyopia (lazy eye) is the most common cause of vision loss in children, affecting 2-3% of the population. It occurs when one eye develops weaker vision because the brain favors the other eye. Early detection and treatment are critical because the visual system is most responsive to treatment during early childhood. Treatment is most effective when started before age 7, though improvement is possible at older ages. Treatment options include patching the stronger eye, atropine eye drops, glasses, or a combination.