How to Soothe a Teething Baby: Safe Remedies That Can Help

If your baby is teething and miserable, you may feel as though you would try almost anything to make them more comfortable. The safest place to start is usually simple: give them something suitable to chew, try a chilled teething ring, gently massage their gums with a clean finger, and offer plenty of comfort and distraction.

Some babies barely seem bothered by teething. Others become fretful, dribble more, chew everything they can reach and sleep less well for a few days. There is no single remedy that works for every baby, so you may need to try a few safe options.

If your baby seems genuinely unwell rather than mildly uncomfortable, do not assume teething is responsible. The NHS advises getting medical advice for symptoms that concern you.

Start with a safe teething ring

A teething ring is one of the simplest options for sore gums.

The NHS says teething rings give babies something they can chew safely, which may ease discomfort and provide a distraction from pain.

Some teething rings are designed to be chilled in the fridge. The cool surface may feel soothing against tender gums.

Always follow the instructions supplied with the product.

Do not put a teething ring in the freezer. The NHS warns that a frozen ring could damage a baby’s gums.

Never tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck because this can create a choking or strangulation hazard.

Gently massage sore gums

You do not necessarily need to buy anything to help a teething baby.

The NHS suggests gently rubbing your baby’s gums with a clean finger. The pressure may help soothe tender areas.

Wash your hands thoroughly first, then use gentle pressure rather than repeatedly pressing or poking the gum to see whether a tooth is coming.

Your baby’s reaction will tell you whether they find it comforting. If they pull away or become more upset, stop and try something else.

Teething remedies do not need to be complicated. Sometimes a clean finger and a cuddle are enough to take the edge off the discomfort.

Offer comfort and distraction

A teething baby may simply want more comfort than usual.

Holding your baby, talking to them or playing together can distract them from sore gums. The NHS specifically suggests comforting or playing with a teething baby as one way to take their attention away from the discomfort.

You might try:

A favourite toy
A cuddle
A walk in the pram
Quiet play
Singing or talking
A change of scenery
A suitable teething toy

There is no need to create a special teething routine.

If your baby wants more closeness for a few days, respond in whatever way feels manageable for your family.

Keep something suitable nearby for chewing

Babies often start chewing and gnawing more when they are teething.

A purpose-made teething ring or age-appropriate teething toy gives them something safer to chew than whatever happens to be nearby.

Check toys regularly for damage and follow the manufacturer’s age and safety instructions.

Avoid objects that could break apart, have small detachable pieces or create a choking risk.

If your baby has started reaching for everything, keeping a suitable teether within easy reach can save you from repeatedly retrieving less appropriate objects from their hands.

Chilled foods may help some older babies

If your baby is six months or older and has started weaning, the NHS says healthy foods such as soft melon may help soothe sore gums.

Any food offered should be suitable for your baby’s stage of development and prepared safely.

Always supervise your baby while they are eating because of the risk of choking.

The NHS recommends avoiding rusks as a teething remedy because nearly all brands contain some sugar. Frequent exposure to sugary foods can contribute to tooth decay, even when a baby has only a few teeth.

Food does not need to become your main teething strategy. A chilled teething ring can provide a similar cooling sensation without adding another snack.

Wipe away extra dribble gently

Teething can make some babies dribble more than usual.

Constant moisture around the mouth and chin can irritate delicate skin and contribute to a facial rash.

The NHS suggests gently wiping your baby’s face to help prevent a teething rash.

Pat rather than scrub, especially if the skin is already red.

You can also change damp bibs or clothing when needed so the skin is not sitting against wet fabric for long periods.

If a rash is severe, spreading, weeping or does not look like simple irritation from saliva, ask a pharmacist, health visitor or GP for advice.

What if simple teething remedies are not enough?

Some babies have periods when chewing, cuddles and cool teethers do not seem to provide enough relief.

If your baby appears to be in pain, medicines may sometimes be appropriate.

The NHS states that sugar-free paracetamol can be used for teething symptoms in babies and young children from two months, while ibuprofen can be used from three months.

However, medicine must be suitable for the individual child and used according to the instructions for the specific product.

Check the label and leaflet carefully. If you are unsure which medicine is appropriate, what strength you have or how much to give, ask a pharmacist, GP or other qualified healthcare professional.

Do not guess a dose.

Paracetamol for teething pain

Children’s paracetamol can help with teething pain when it is appropriate for your baby.

The NHS says most children over two months can take paracetamol, but it is not suitable for every child.

Different children’s medicines can also come in different strengths.

Use the measuring device supplied with the medicine and follow the instructions on the packaging or leaflet.

Check other medicines your baby may be taking too, because you should not accidentally give more than one product containing paracetamol.

If you are unsure, a pharmacist can advise you.

Ibuprofen for teething pain

Ibuprofen is another medicine that may sometimes be used for teething discomfort.

The NHS says it can be given from three months for teething symptoms, provided it is suitable for the child.

Ibuprofen is not appropriate for every baby, so check the medicine information carefully and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you have any doubts.

Do not routinely give paracetamol and ibuprofen at the same time. NHS guidance says they should only be alternated if a healthcare professional such as a doctor or nurse advises you to do so.

If your baby repeatedly needs pain relief or remains very distressed, seek professional advice rather than continuing to assume teething is the only cause.

What about teething gels?

Teething gels can seem like an obvious answer because they are applied directly to the gums, but the NHS says there is a lack of evidence that they are effective.

It recommends trying teething rings or appropriate pain relief first.

If you do use a gel, it needs to be specifically designed for young children.

General oral pain-relief gels intended for adults or other conditions are not suitable for treating infant teething pain.

Teething gels containing a local anaesthetic are available from pharmacies. Speak to a pharmacist before using one so you can check whether it is suitable for your baby and understand how to use it correctly.

Be cautious with lidocaine teething products

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency advises that non-medicinal measures such as a teething ring or gentle gum massage should be tried first.

Oral lidocaine products licensed for infant teething are pharmacy medicines in the UK, allowing a pharmacist to advise parents about their safe use.

The MHRA advises using these products only when simple non-medicinal measures have not provided enough relief.

If a pharmacist recommends a lidocaine-containing teething product, follow the patient information leaflet carefully.

Do not use lidocaine products intended for adults or for conditions such as mouth ulcers to treat a baby’s teething pain. These products can have different dosing instructions and are not approved for infant teething.

Are homeopathic teething products safe?

The NHS does not recommend homeopathic products for teething.

It notes that some unlicensed homeopathic products advertised online have been linked with serious side effects.

Products described as natural, herbal or homeopathic should not automatically be assumed to be suitable for babies.

If you are considering a remedy and are unsure what it contains or whether it is appropriate, ask a pharmacist before giving it to your baby.

Buying from an unfamiliar online seller can also make it harder to establish exactly what a product contains and whether it is licensed for use in the UK.

Avoid teething necklaces and anything worn around the neck

A baby does not need to wear something around their neck to get teething relief.

The NHS specifically warns against tying teething rings around a baby’s neck because of the hazard this creates.

The same cautious principle applies to wearable teething products that could present strangulation or choking risks.

Choose a teether your baby can hold and chew while supervised instead.

Simple is often easier to use safely.

Do not freeze teething toys

Cool and frozen are not the same thing.

If a teething ring is designed to be chilled, put it in the fridge according to its instructions.

Do not freeze it.

The NHS warns that frozen teething rings can damage a baby’s gums.

If you are unsure whether a particular teether can be refrigerated, check its packaging or the manufacturer’s instructions rather than assuming.

Can teething affect sleep?

The NHS lists sleeping less well as one of the possible symptoms of teething.

Tender gums may make some babies more unsettled around naps or bedtime.

Offer comfort, but keep following normal safer sleep guidance. Do not add pillows, soft toys, positioners or other items to your baby’s sleep space in an attempt to soothe teething discomfort.

A difficult night does not necessarily mean you need to change your baby’s whole routine.

Teething discomfort can come and go as different teeth emerge.

It is also worth remembering that disrupted sleep can have many causes. If your baby seems unwell or their behaviour is very different from normal, consider whether something other than teething may be going on.

Does teething cause a fever?

The NHS says teething may be associated with a slightly raised temperature below 38°C.

A temperature of 38°C or above is a fever and should not simply be blamed on teething.

If your baby has a fever, follow current NHS guidance and seek medical advice where appropriate.

Babies can develop infections and other illnesses while teeth are coming through. Seeing a swollen gum or new tooth does not rule out another explanation for their symptoms.

Does teething cause diarrhoea?

The NHS says there is no evidence that teething causes diarrhoea.

If your baby develops diarrhoea, vomiting or other signs of illness, do not assume the new tooth is responsible.

Watch for signs that your baby may be becoming dehydrated and follow NHS advice about diarrhoea and vomiting in babies and children.

If you are worried, seek medical advice.

When should you start brushing a new tooth?

As soon as your baby’s first milk tooth appears, it is time to start brushing.

The NHS recommends brushing babies’ and toddlers’ teeth twice a day, including last thing at night, using a smear of fluoride toothpaste containing at least 1,000 ppm fluoride for children up to three.

Use a small toothbrush suitable for your baby’s age.

You may not manage a perfect brush every time, especially with a wriggly or teething baby. Keep gently returning to the routine.

Starting early helps tooth brushing become a familiar part of everyday life.

A simple teething plan for difficult days

If your baby seems uncomfortable, you can keep the approach straightforward:

Offer a suitable teething ring.
Chill the ring in the fridge if its instructions allow it.
Try gently massaging the gums with a clean finger.
Offer comfort, play or distraction.
Gently wipe away excess dribble.
If your baby is old enough for solid foods, offer suitable foods safely and under supervision.
If your baby appears to need pain relief, check with the medicine instructions and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
If your baby seems ill rather than simply uncomfortable, seek medical advice.

You do not have to try every remedy.

A teething ring and extra comfort may be all your baby wants. If something does not seem to help, there is no reason to keep forcing it.

What not to assume is teething

Teething happens during a stage when babies also experience plenty of other changes and ordinary illnesses.

The NHS lists symptoms such as sore gums, increased dribbling, chewing, one flushed cheek, fretfulness and less settled sleep as possible signs of teething.

It also says there is no evidence that teething causes diarrhoea.

Try not to use teething as an explanation for every new symptom.

If your baby is very sleepy, feeding poorly, has a fever, has diarrhoea or vomiting, seems to be in significant pain, has breathing difficulties or simply seems much more unwell than you would expect from sore gums, get professional advice.

When to get professional advice

Contact your GP, NHS 111, health visitor or another appropriate healthcare professional if your baby seems unwell, has symptoms that concern you or remains very distressed despite simple measures.

A temperature of 38°C or above should not simply be attributed to teething. The NHS says teething may be associated with a slightly raised temperature below 38°C and that there is no evidence it causes diarrhoea.

Ask a pharmacist before using a teething gel if you are unsure whether it is suitable. Lidocaine-containing infant teething products should be used according to professional advice and the product instructions.

If you are unsure whether paracetamol or ibuprofen is suitable for your baby, or you are uncertain about the correct product or dose, speak to a pharmacist, GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

Seek urgent medical help if your baby has severe difficulty breathing, is difficult to wake, has a seizure or appears seriously unwell.