Editorially reviewed by the Dental.me Editorial Team · Updated July 2026
The safest teething remedies are simple and non-medicated: a chilled (not frozen) teething ring, a clean finger or cold washcloth to massage sore gums, and, if your pediatrician approves, an age-appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Teething is uncomfortable but rarely dramatic. It causes drooling, gum rubbing, and fussiness, not high fever or diarrhea. If your baby has those, something else is going on and you should call your pediatrician.
This guide walks through when teething starts, which teeth come in and when, the symptoms that are normal, the remedies that are safe versus the ones to avoid, and when to schedule that first dental visit.
When does teething start?
Most babies begin teething between 4 and 7 months of age, with the first tooth usually erupting around 6 to 10 months; the range is wide. Some infants get their first tooth as early as 3 months, and others not until after their first birthday. Both extremes are usually normal. Teething order and timing are largely genetic, so if you or your partner teethed late, your baby may too.
A late first tooth on its own is not a cause for worry. If no teeth have appeared by 18 months, mention it at a well-child visit or ask a dentist to take a look.
What are the symptoms of teething?
Teething symptoms are mild and localized to the mouth. The most common signs are:
- Drooling more than usual, which can cause a rash around the mouth or chin
- Gum rubbing, biting, and chewing on fingers, toys, or anything within reach
- Irritability or fussiness, especially in the days right before a tooth breaks through
- Sore, swollen gums where the tooth is emerging
- Disrupted sleep and slightly reduced appetite
- A mild, low-grade temperature (below 100.4°F / 38°C)
What is NOT caused by teething?
This is where a lot of parents get misled. Teething does not cause a high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, a runny nose, or a cough. Research consistently shows these are not teething symptoms. If your baby has a temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or has diarrhea, vomiting, or seems genuinely ill, do not blame the teeth. Call your pediatrician, because an infection or other illness may be the real cause and it deserves its own evaluation.
Which teeth erupt, and when?
Primary teeth usually arrive in a predictable order, starting with the bottom front teeth. Timing varies by months from child to child, but the sequence below is typical.
The lower central incisors (bottom front) come first, followed by the upper central incisors. Next come the lateral incisors on either side, then the first molars, the pointed canines, and finally the second molars in the back, which often close out the set by age 2 to 3. The molars can be the most uncomfortable because they are larger and blunter than the front teeth.
What are the safe teething remedies?
The goal is to soothe sore gums with gentle pressure and cool temperatures. These approaches are well supported and low-risk when used correctly.
- Massage the gums. Wash your hands, then rub the sore gum firmly with a clean finger for a minute or two. The counter-pressure is often the single most effective thing you can do.
- Offer a chilled teething ring. Chill a solid rubber teething ring in the refrigerator, never the freezer. A frozen-hard ring can bruise the gums. Skip liquid-filled rings, which can crack.
- Use a cold, damp washcloth. Chill a clean, wet washcloth and let your baby gnaw on it. The texture plus the cold is soothing, and it doubles as a drool wiper.
- Give something safe to chew. A clean, one-piece silicone teether or, for older babies eating solids, a chilled item under supervision, gives them the pressure they crave.
- Wipe away drool. Gently pat the chin and mouth dry through the day and apply a plain barrier cream if a drool rash appears.
- Ask about pain relief. If your baby is truly miserable, your pediatrician may approve an age-appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen (from about 2 months) or ibuprofen (from about 6 months). Follow the weight-based dosing they give you exactly.
Which remedies should you avoid?
Several popular products are ineffective or genuinely dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned against the first two below.
- Benzocaine gels and liquids (sold under various brand names). The FDA warns these numbing gels can cause methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious condition that reduces oxygen in the blood, and should not be used for teething in children under 2.
- Homeopathic teething tablets and gels. The FDA has cautioned against these after some products were found to contain inconsistent, unsafe amounts of belladonna, a toxic substance.
- Amber teething necklaces and bracelets. There is no evidence they relieve pain, and they pose real strangulation and choking hazards. The FDA recommends against jewelry marketed for teething.
- Frozen-solid teethers. Anything frozen rock-hard can injure delicate gum tissue. Refrigerator-cold is the right temperature.
- Rubbing alcohol or numbing home remedies on the gums. These are not safe for infants.
- Teething usually starts between 4 and 7 months and finishes around age 3.
- Normal symptoms are mild: drooling, gum rubbing, fussiness, and a low-grade temperature below 100.4°F.
- High fever, diarrhea, or vomiting are not teething. Call your pediatrician.
- Safe remedies: gum massage, a chilled (not frozen) ring, a cold washcloth, and pediatrician-approved pain relief.
- Avoid benzocaine gels, teething tablets, and amber necklaces.
- Book the first dental visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.
When should you schedule the first dental visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit by your child’s first birthday, or within six months of that first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. That early visit is less about drilling and more about coaching: the dentist checks that teeth are erupting normally, screens for early decay, and shows you how to clean those brand-new teeth.
Once a tooth is in, start cleaning it. Wipe it with a soft, damp cloth or a tiny soft-bristled brush twice a day, and use only a smear of fluoride toothpaste the size of a grain of rice for children under 3. Skip the bedtime bottle of milk or juice, which bathes new teeth in sugar overnight.
If you are not sure where to take your child, you can find a dentist near you and filter for practices that see children. Many families prefer a dedicated pediatric office. You can read more about that focus on our dental specialties page, which explains what a pediatric dentist does differently from a general dentist.
How do I choose a good pediatric dentist?
Look for a practice that is comfortable with infants and toddlers, explains prevention clearly, and communicates well with anxious parents. Reviews and verified information help. We explain how we evaluate and order the practices you see on the site on our how we rank page, so you know the listings are not just paid placements. If you live in a large metro, a city page such as the one for Houston, TX lists local options you can compare side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Teething is one of the most searched-about milestones for new parents, so a few common questions come up again and again. The FAQ below covers the ones we hear most, but when a symptom seems more than mild, your pediatrician is always the right first call.
Can teething cause a high fever?
No. Teething can cause a mild, low-grade temperature below 100.4°F (38°C), but it does not cause a true fever. If your baby's temperature reaches 100.4°F or higher, or they seem ill, call your pediatrician, because an infection is the more likely cause.
What is the safest way to soothe a teething baby?
Firm gum massage with a clean finger, a chilled (not frozen) rubber teething ring, and a cold, damp washcloth to chew are the safest options. If your baby is very uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician about an age-appropriate dose of infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Are benzocaine teething gels safe?
No. The FDA warns against benzocaine gels for children under 2 because they can cause methemoglobinemia, a rare but serious condition that lowers oxygen in the blood. Choose non-medicated remedies like a chilled ring or gum massage instead.
Do amber teething necklaces work?
There is no evidence that amber necklaces relieve teething pain, and they carry real strangulation and choking risks. The FDA recommends against teething jewelry. Stick to safe, supervised options like a silicone teether or cold washcloth.
When do babies usually start teething?
Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, though some start as early as 3 months and others after their first birthday. The bottom front teeth almost always come in first. Late teething alone is usually normal.
When should my child first see a dentist?
By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth appearing, whichever comes first. The visit focuses on prevention and coaching. You can find a dentist near you and filter for practices that welcome young children.
Sources & further reading
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)
- NIH — National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
The sources above provide clinical background for this article. Cost ranges and comparisons are Dental.me editorial summaries and can vary by patient, practice, and location. This content is informational and is not a substitute for professional dental diagnosis or treatment.