Teething: How to Care for Your Child

Teething is when teeth first come through a baby's gums. It can cause a baby to drool, want to chew, and be cranky. Here's how to care for your baby while they're teething.

Things to try when your baby is uncomfortable from teething:

• Rub your baby's gums with a clean finger.

• Give your baby a firm rubber teething ring that has been chilled in the refrigerator. Do not freeze the teether, because it could bruise your baby’s gums. Do not use teething rings that contain liquid, because it could leak out. Never tie a teether or anything else around your baby’s neck. It could strangle your baby. Stay with your baby while they use the teether.

• Hold one end of a clean wet washcloth that has been cooled in the refrigerator and let your baby chew on the other end. Do not leave your baby alone while they're chewing on the washcloth.

• Give medicine for pain if your health care provider says it's OK. Use these medicines exactly as directed:

  • acetaminophen (such as Tylenol^® or a store brand)OR

  • ibuprofen (such as Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Do not give to babies under 6 months old.

Things to avoid:

• Do not use alcohol, teething gels, teething tablets, or other medicines on your baby's gums.

• Do not use any products containing benzocaine or lidocaine (such as Orajel^™, Anbesol^®, or a store brand). They can cause serious harm, and even death.

Your baby has other symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or cough.

Does teething cause a high fever or diarrhea? Tender and swollen gums could cause your baby's temperature to be a little higher than normal, but teething doesn't cause a fever or diarrhea. If your baby has a fever or diarrhea during teething, call your health care provider.

How do I care for my baby's gums and teeth? To take care of your baby's gums and teeth:

• Before the first tooth comes in: Use a washcloth or soft toothbrush and water to gently clean the gums after feedings.

• By 1 year of age, take your child off the bottle and have them use a cup instead. 

• Don't let your baby go to bed with a bottle or sippy cup with milk or juice in it. Don't let them sip on a bottle or sippy cup throughout the day with anything but water in it.

• Take your baby to the dentist within 6 months of the first tooth coming in OR by 1 year of age (whichever comes first).