Teething Pain

Key facts

• Teething pain occurs as a baby's first teeth push through the gums, typically starting around 4 to 7 months and continuing through toddlerhood.
• Signs include swollen, tender gums, increased drooling, chewing on anything within reach, and more frequent night waking. A mild temperature rise is common.
• Comfort measures include chilled (not frozen) teething rings, gentle gum massage with a clean finger, and chilled soft foods once the baby eats solids.
• A true fever above 38°C is not typical of teething and points to illness instead, so it needs a doctor's review.

What teething looks like

The gum above an emerging tooth becomes swollen, tender, and sometimes slightly red. Babies drool more than usual, chew on toys, fingers, or anything within reach, and often wake more at night while a tooth is coming through. A mild rise in temperature is common during teething, but a genuine fever above 38°C is not part of the normal picture and suggests an illness that needs medical attention instead.

Easing the discomfort

Chilled, not frozen, teething rings give a counter-pressure that many babies find soothing. Gently rubbing the gum with a clean finger works just as well for some infants. Once a baby is old enough for solids, teething biscuits and chilled soft foods can help too. Keeping a baby cool, comfortable, and well hydrated makes the fussiness that comes with teething easier to manage.

Topical teething gels are widely sold, but most contain local anaesthetics that health authorities advise using with caution in infants, and some are not recommended for very young babies at all. Check with a pharmacist or paediatrician before using any teething gel, and always follow the age guidance on the label.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if a baby develops a fever above 38°C, seems unusually unwell, refuses feeds, or has swelling and pain that doesn't fit the usual teething pattern. Persistent crying, poor feeding, or other signs of illness should always be checked rather than assumed to be teething.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.