Teething Baby: Signs, Safe Relief and What to Avoid

Is your baby drooling more than usual and chewing on everything they can reach? They may be teething. For hundreds of years, people blamed teething for all kinds of health problems, from fevers to diarrhea. Today we know better. Teething can make a baby a little fussy, but it does not make them sick.

Here is what to expect, which signs are normal, how to help your baby feel better safely and which products to stay away from.

When do babies start teething?

KidsHealth says teething can start as early as 3 months. Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old. Some babies are even born with a tooth or two. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by their third birthday.

Teeth usually come in this order:

1. The two bottom front teeth
2. The four top front teeth, about 4 to 8 weeks later
3. The two bottom teeth on each side of the front teeth, about a month after that
4. The first molars, the back teeth used for chewing
5. The eyeteeth, the pointy teeth in the upper jaw

Every baby is different. If your child's teeth come in much slower than expected, talk to your doctor.

Signs of teething

The American Academy of Pediatrics says the main signs of teething are drooling and rubbing the gums. Common signs include:

• More drooling than usual
• A rash on the face or chin from drool
• Wanting to chew on things
• Tender or swollen gums
• Being a little more fussy

KidsHealth says some babies also have crying spells or changes in sleep and eating. Other babies have no pain at all.

What teething does NOT cause

This is the most important part for parents to know. The AAP says teething does not cause:

• Fever
• Diarrhea
• Diaper rash
• Runny nose
• A lot of crying

It also does not make your baby more likely to get sick. If your baby has a fever, diarrhea or is crying a lot, look for another cause. KidsHealth says if your baby gets a fever while teething, something else is probably causing it, and you should call your doctor.

Safe ways to soothe a teething baby

• Rub the gums. The AAP says to rub the sore gum with a clean finger for 2 minutes, as often as needed. The pressure helps ease the pain.
• Use a chilled teething ring. Pick a firm rubber teether, not one filled with liquid. Chill it in the fridge, not the freezer. The FDA says a frozen teether can be too hard and hurt the gums.
• Try a cold washcloth. Offer a clean, wet washcloth that has been chilled.
• Wipe away drool. Gently wipe your baby's face often to help prevent a drool rash.
• Cold foods for older babies. For babies over 12 months, the AAP says a piece of chilled banana may help. Only give food to babies who already eat solids, and always watch for choking.

Always stay with your baby when they use a teether or chew on food.

Pain medicine

The AAP says pain medicine usually isn't needed for teething. Gum rubbing often works. If your baby is still uncomfortable, ask your doctor about acetaminophen, like Tylenol. Ibuprofen, like Advil or Motrin, is only for babies older than 6 months. Never give aspirin, and never put aspirin against the tooth.

What to avoid

Some popular teething products are not safe. The FDA and AAP warn parents to avoid:

• Teething gels with benzocaine. The AAP says these gels are not approved by the FDA at any age. The FDA says benzocaine can cause a rare but serious condition that lowers the amount of oxygen in the blood. Brand names include Orajel and Anbesol.
• Lidocaine. The FDA says it can cause seizures, heart problems and severe brain injury in babies.
• Homeopathic teething tablets. The FDA says these can be dangerous.
• Amber teething necklaces and other teething jewelry. The FDA has reports of deaths and serious injuries from strangulation and choking.
• Frozen teethers, ice and popsicles. The AAP says these can cause frostbite of the gums.
• Hard foods, like raw carrots, that can cause choking.
• Tying a teether around your baby's neck. KidsHealth says this can cause strangulation.
• Rubbing alcohol on the gums.

When to call the doctor

Call your baby's doctor if your baby:

• Has a fever. Teething does not cause fever, so something else may be going on.
• Has diarrhea, a runny nose or other signs of illness
• Seems very fussy or cries a lot
• Has teeth that come in much slower than expected

For more warning signs, read our post on when to call a doctor. You can also learn about other common issues in our post on common health problems in toddlers.

Caring for those new baby teeth

KidsHealth shares these tips for healthy teeth:

• Before the first tooth, wipe your baby's gums every day with a clean, damp washcloth or gauze.
• When the first tooth comes in, brush it with a soft baby toothbrush and a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Around age 3, when your child can spit, you can use a little more toothpaste. Don't let your child swallow toothpaste or eat it from the tube.
• Brush at least twice a day. Start flossing when two teeth touch.
• Visit the dentist by age 1, or within 6 months after the first tooth comes in.

Make brushing fun with our Brush Your Teeth song. Bebo the Penguin doesn't like to brush until he wakes up with a toothache. The dentist teaches him that brushing keeps away cavities, so now he brushes "every morning every night."

When teething makes bedtime hard, a soft lullaby can help your baby settle down. Try our Hush Little One Lullaby, where a mommy penguin tucks her babies in with a gentle "close your eyes." Our Rockabye Baby Lullaby is another calm choice. You can find more bedtime lullabies on our music page.

Questions Parents Ask About Teething

Does teething cause a fever?

No. The AAP says teething does not cause fever. If your baby has a fever, something else is probably causing it. Call your doctor.

Does teething cause diarrhea?

No. The AAP says teething does not cause diarrhea, diaper rash or a runny nose. If your baby has these signs, look for another cause.

How long does teething last?

Teething happens off and on from the first tooth until all 20 baby teeth are in. KidsHealth says most kids have all their baby teeth by age 3.

Are teething gels safe?

No. The AAP says teething gels are not approved by the FDA at any age. Most contain benzocaine, which can be very harmful to babies. Rubbing the gums with a clean finger works better.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

No. The FDA has reports of babies dying or being badly hurt from strangulation and choking on teething necklaces and other teething jewelry. Do not use them.

Can I put a teething ring in the freezer?

No. Chill it in the fridge instead. A frozen teether can be too hard and hurt your baby's gums.

When should my baby first see a dentist?

The American Dental Association says by age 1, or within 6 months after the first tooth comes in.

This post is for general information only. It is not medical advice. If you have questions about your child's health, please talk to your child's doctor.