The Playbook

Teething: What's Normal, What Helps, and What to Avoid

When teeth come in, the real signs of teething, safe ways to soothe sore gums, the teething products to skip, and how to brush those first teeth.

By the Guide to Fatherhood editorial team. Last reviewed . 2 min read.

Checked against guidance from organizations like the AAP, CDC, ACOG and NHS (linked below). This is general information, not medical advice. Read our medical disclaimer.

Teething gets blamed for a lot: crankiness, bad nights, runny noses, the cat’s mood. Some of that is fair. Here’s what’s actually known, and what helps.

When teeth come in

Many babies get their first tooth around 6 months, usually one of the bottom front teeth, though anywhere from about 4 to 12 months is common. Most children have all 20 baby teeth by around age 3.

Real signs of teething

According to the AAP, teething can cause:

  • Drooling (though babies drool a lot anyway from about 3 months).
  • Chewing on everything.
  • Swollen, tender gums.
  • Fussiness, and sometimes a slightly raised temperature.

What it doesn’t cause: a true fever (100.4°F/38°C or higher) or diarrhea. If your baby has those, call the pediatrician to look for another cause. Any fever in a baby under 3 months needs a call right away.

What helps

  • Rub the gums gently with a clean finger.
  • A firm rubber teething ring, chilled in the fridge (not frozen solid).
  • A cold, damp washcloth to chew on.
  • Extra cuddles.
  • Pain medicine: ask your pediatrician about the right medicine and dose for your baby’s age and weight before giving any.

What to avoid

The FDA has issued clear warnings about several popular teething products:

  • Teething necklaces and bracelets (amber, wood, silicone): strangulation and choking risk (FDA).
  • Benzocaine gels and liquids for children under 2: the FDA warns of a rare but serious blood condition, and says these products shouldn’t be used for teething (FDA).
  • Homeopathic teething tablets and gels (FDA).
  • Frozen-solid teethers that can be too hard on gums, and liquid-filled teethers that can break.

Brushing the first teeth

As soon as the first tooth appears:

  • Brush twice a day with a soft infant toothbrush.
  • Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice.
  • No bottles in bed, which can lead to tooth decay.
  • First dental visit by the first birthday, as recommended by the AAP and pediatric dentists. Your pediatrician may also apply fluoride varnish at checkups.

Make brushing part of the bedtime routine: bath, pajamas, brush, book, bed. A great dad job.

Frequently asked questions

When do babies start teething?

Many babies get their first tooth around 6 months, often a bottom front tooth, but anywhere from about 4 to 12 months can be normal. Some babies are born with a tooth; some have none at their first birthday.

Does teething cause fever?

Teething may cause a slightly raised temperature, but not a true fever. According to the AAP, a fever (100.4°F or higher) or diarrhea is not from teething; call your pediatrician to look for another cause, and call right away for any fever in a baby under 3 months.

Are teething necklaces safe?

No. The FDA warns against teething necklaces and bracelets because of strangulation and choking risks.

Sources

  1. Teething Pain, American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org)
  2. Safely Soothing Teething Pain in Infants and Children, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
  3. Choking Prevention for Babies and Children, AAP (HealthyChildren.org)

We link to the original source for every medical and safety claim. Guidance changes; if a source has been updated since our last review, the source wins. How we research.