First Aid & Emergencies

Teething Pain

Teething pain can be hard for babies and parents alike. At home treatments will help.

Call Doctor If:

• Your child has a fever of 101 F or more, has diarrhea, or seems especially cranky. These are not typical symptoms of teething.
• You want to give your baby an oral pain reliever or pain relieving gel and have never used it before.

1. Offer Something to Chew on

• Use a firm rubber teether.
• Avoid teethers filled with liquid, which can leak, or freezable teethers, which may be too cold or hard.
• Never tie a teether around a baby's neck -- it's a choking hazard.

2. Soothe the Gums

• Gently massage the gums with a cool wet washcloth or a clean finger.
• If your child is eating solid foods, offer cold applesauce or yogurt.
• Give your baby a bottle filled with cool water. If your baby is younger than 1, don't give too much water because his kidneys are not fully developed.

3. Use Medication if a Pediatrician Recommends It

• Use baby-formula acetaminophen (Tylenol) to dull pain.
• Rub pain-relieving gels for teething on the gums, but be careful not to use too much. Also, The FDA warns that medication containing benzocaine should not be used in kids under age 2.

4. Prevent Rash

• Keep a cloth with you to wipe away drool from your baby's chin.