Teething Troubles: How to Relieve Your Baby’s Discomfort

Teething is a necessary but often uncomfortable milestone for your child. Teething usually begins around 6 months of age but can start as early as 4 months of age. Since your little one cannot speak yet, it is difficult to understand what is going on with them. This is how to determine if your child is teething. 

Teething babies may experience the following: 

• Is acting fussy/irritability 

• Excessive drooling 

• Is chewing on objects 

• Red, swollen, sore, tender gums 

  
  

If your child is expressing that they are uncomfortable, here are some ways to relieve your child's teething pain: 

• Using a clean finger or moist washcloth to rub their gums 

• Teething rings/ toys (Note: If any teething toys have cooling liquid inside, make sure it is non-toxic, although water would be better) 

• Use a mesh teether with frozen fruit or vegetables inside and allow them to chew on it 
  

If all efforts do not work and your child is still uncomfortable, you may consider giving your infant acetaminophen (Tylenol) or infant ibuprofen (Motrin). Contact your doctor for dosage information. Ibuprofen (Motrin) is not to be used in babies under 6 months. 

Teething isn't something that only happens once. Your little one has 20 primary teeth that need to erupt, and they tend to erupt individually. To ensure proper dental health, it is crucial that your little one sees a pediatric dentist when their first tooth erupts or when they turn 1, whichever comes first.  

Remember, this is only temporary. Hang in there!