Teething Gel for Babies: Is It Safe and Does It Work?

If your baby is uncomfortable with teething, it is understandable to wonder whether a teething gel could give them some relief. In the UK, teething gels designed for young children are available from pharmacies, but the NHS says there is a lack of evidence that they are effective. It recommends trying simpler measures such as a teething ring first.

Some infant teething gels contain a mild local anaesthetic. Products containing lidocaine for infant teething should only be used after non-medicinal measures have not provided enough relief and with advice from a pharmacist.

The key point is not that every teething gel is automatically unsafe. It is that these products need to be chosen and used carefully, and they are not considered the first option for ordinary teething discomfort.

What is teething gel?

Teething gels are products applied to a baby’s gums with the aim of easing discomfort as teeth begin to emerge.

Different products can contain different ingredients, so the term “teething gel” does not describe one single medicine.

The NHS says teething gels contain a mild local anaesthetic and are available from pharmacies. If you decide to use one, it should be a product specifically designed for young children.

General oral pain-relief gels are not suitable substitutes.

That distinction matters because a product intended for an adult mouth ulcer or another oral condition may contain different ingredients or have different dosing instructions.

Before using any teething gel, read the label and patient information leaflet and check that the product is specifically intended for your child.

Does teething gel actually work?

The evidence is not particularly convincing.

The NHS states that there is a lack of evidence that teething gels are effective. For that reason, it recommends trying a teething ring or appropriate simple pain relief before turning to a gel.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has reached a similar position for lidocaine-containing teething products.

Following a review of these medicines, the MHRA advised that non-medicinal measures should be tried first and that lidocaine-containing teething products should only be considered when those measures do not provide enough relief.

So while some parents may feel that a gel helps their baby, current UK guidance does not support treating it as an essential or reliably effective teething remedy.

Is teething gel safe for babies?

A teething gel that is specifically licensed for infant teething can be used according to its instructions and professional advice.

That does not mean every oral gel is appropriate for a baby.

The MHRA advises that lidocaine-containing products intended for infant teething are pharmacy medicines. This allows a pharmacist to advise parents and carers about whether the product is appropriate and how to use it correctly.

If a pharmacist recommends one, follow the patient information leaflet carefully.

Do not use more than directed, apply it more frequently than instructed or combine different lidocaine-containing products unless a healthcare professional specifically tells you to do so.

Why are lidocaine teething gels pharmacy medicines?

Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic. It temporarily reduces sensation in the area where it is applied.

In 2018, the MHRA reviewed the benefits and risks of oral lidocaine products used for teething in children.

The review identified reports involving medication errors. Although most did not involve harm, the Commission on Human Medicines recommended stronger measures to support safer use.

As a result, oral lidocaine products authorised for infant teething became pharmacy medicines in the UK.

This means parents can receive advice from a pharmacist before using them.

The MHRA also introduced updated instructions and warnings to reduce the risk of incorrect use.

Why should simple remedies come first?

Teething is a normal part of development, and many babies need only simple comfort measures.

The NHS recommends teething rings because they give babies something safe to chew and may help ease discomfort.

Some rings can be cooled in the fridge according to their instructions. The NHS advises never freezing them because a frozen ring could damage a baby’s gums.

You can also gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger.

Comfort, cuddles and play can provide distraction too.

These options avoid exposing your baby to a medicine when one may not be necessary.

What should you try before teething gel?

If your baby seems mildly uncomfortable, start with simple measures.

You could try:

A suitable teething ring
A teething ring chilled in the fridge if the instructions allow it
Gentle gum massage with a clean finger
Cuddles and reassurance
Play or another gentle distraction

You may need to try more than one approach.

Some babies like chewing a cool teether. Others seem happier with gum massage or simply want more comfort.

There is no need to use a medicinal product just because teething has started.

Never freeze a teething ring

Cooling a teething ring can be helpful, but colder is not necessarily better.

The NHS advises that teething rings should not be put in the freezer because they could damage a baby’s gums if frozen.

If your baby’s teether is designed to be chilled, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the fridge.

Do not tie a teething ring around your baby’s neck either. The NHS warns that this can create a choking hazard.

What should you look for on a teething gel?

If you are considering a gel, check exactly what you are buying.

The packaging should make clear:

That it is intended for teething
The age group for which it is licensed
Its active ingredients
How it should be applied
How often it can be used
Important warnings
How the product should be stored

Do not rely only on the word “baby” on the front of a package.

Read the actual instructions and ask a pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Do not use adult mouth gels for teething

This is an important safety point.

The NHS says general oral pain-relief gels are not suitable for children.

The MHRA also specifically advises against using lidocaine products authorised for adults or for other conditions, such as mouth ulcers, to treat infant teething pain.

Those products can have different approved dosing regimens.

A gel being safe for an adult’s mouth does not make it appropriate for a baby’s gums.

Use only a product specifically intended for infant or child teething and suitable for your baby’s age.

Can you use more gel if the first application does not work?

Do not increase the amount or frequency beyond the product instructions.

Medicines need to be used according to their approved directions.

The MHRA’s review of lidocaine teething products highlighted medication errors as one reason for strengthening advice and instructions.

If a correctly used product is not helping, speak to a pharmacist rather than applying extra.

Persistent distress may also be a reason to consider whether something other than teething is causing your baby’s symptoms.

Can you use two teething gels together?

Do not combine teething products simply because one has not worked.

The MHRA advises parents and carers not to use more than one lidocaine-containing product at the same time.

Different products may contain the same active ingredient even if their brand names and packaging look different.

Check the ingredients and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.

Using multiple medicines without checking their contents can increase the risk of giving too much of an ingredient.

What about homeopathic teething gels and remedies?

The NHS does not recommend homeopathic products for teething.

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

“Natural” and “homeopathic” are not guarantees that a product is suitable or safe for a baby.

If you are considering any teething product bought online, check that it is licensed for use in the UK and appropriate for your baby.

A pharmacist can help if you are uncertain.

Are herbal teething gels automatically safer?

No.

A product being described as herbal or natural does not automatically make it safer or more effective.

The ingredients, concentration, age suitability and directions all matter.

Babies are small, and products used in or around the mouth need particular care.

If you cannot clearly establish what a product contains or whether it is intended for babies, do not use it until you have spoken to a pharmacist or another qualified healthcare professional.

What about paracetamol or ibuprofen?

If your baby appears to be in pain and simple measures are not enough, appropriate pain relief may sometimes be an option.

The NHS says paracetamol can be used to relieve teething symptoms in babies and young children aged two months or older, while ibuprofen can be used from three months.

These medicines are not suitable for every child, and the correct product and dose matter.

Always follow the instructions supplied with the medicine.

If you are unsure which medicine is suitable for your baby or how much to give, ask a pharmacist, GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

Do not guess a dose.

How can you tell if your baby is actually teething?

Teething symptoms can vary considerably.

According to the NHS, possible signs include:

A sore, red gum where a tooth is emerging
One flushed cheek
Increased dribbling
Chewing or gnawing more than usual
Ear rubbing
Increased fretfulness
Sleeping less well
A facial rash
A slightly raised temperature below 38°C

Some babies have almost no discomfort.

Others are noticeably unsettled.

Seeing several of these signs together may make teething more likely, but they do not rule out illness.

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 considered a fever and should not simply be assumed to be caused by teething.

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

A baby can be teething and ill at the same time.

Does teething cause diarrhoea?

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

If your baby develops diarrhoea, do not rely on teething gel or other teething remedies to treat the problem.

Follow NHS advice for diarrhoea in babies and children and watch for signs of dehydration.

Seek medical advice if you are worried about your baby.

What if your baby is still very distressed?

If a chilled teething ring, gum massage and comfort are not enough, speak to a pharmacist.

They can help you decide whether a medicinal teething product or an appropriate painkiller is suitable.

If your baby seems much more distressed than you would expect from mild teething, contact your health visitor, GP or NHS 111.

Teething is common, but significant or persistent pain deserves a closer look.

You do not need to work out the cause alone.

A sensible approach to teething gel

If you are standing in a pharmacy wondering what to do, a simple order can help.

First, try non-medicinal measures such as a teething ring or gentle gum massage.

If your baby remains uncomfortable, speak to the pharmacist.

If a teething gel is recommended, make sure it is specifically designed for young children and appropriate for your baby’s age.

Read the leaflet.

Use only the stated amount and frequency.

Do not combine lidocaine products.

If symptoms do not improve or your baby seems unwell, seek medical advice.

That keeps teething gel in its proper place: an optional medicine that may sometimes be considered, rather than something every teething baby needs.

When to get professional advice

Speak to a pharmacist before using a medicinal teething gel if you are unsure whether it is suitable for your baby. Lidocaine-containing products for infant teething are pharmacy medicines in the UK so that parents and carers can receive advice about their correct use.

Contact your GP, health visitor or NHS 111 if your baby seems unwell, remains very distressed, has symptoms that concern you or does not improve.

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

If you think your baby has had an unexpected reaction to a medicine, seek medical advice. Serious suspected side effects from medicines can also be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

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