What Actually Helps a Teething Baby and What You Should Avoid
In this article
- What do health professionals recommend?
- Teething products to avoid and watch out for
- When to use pain relief medication
- Choosing safe teething products
What Health Professionals Recommend
The NHS keeps its guidance on teething relief refreshingly simple. The recommended approaches focus on giving your baby something appropriate to chew on, applying gentle pressure to the gums, and using age-appropriate pain relief when needed (NHS).
The core recommendations include:
· Teething rings – give your baby something firm to chew on. Some teething rings can be chilled in the fridge first, which adds a soothing cooling effect. Never freeze a teething ring, as this can damage delicate gums.
· Gum massage – gently rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger or damp gauze. The counter-pressure can temporarily relieve discomfort.
· Cool, soft foods – for babies over six months who have started weaning, offering chilled fruit or vegetables to gnaw on can help.
· Comfort and distraction – extra cuddles, gentle rocking, and keeping to familiar routines can help a fussy baby settle.
A systematic review of teething treatments found that teethers and gum massages consistently ranked among the most favoured non-pharmacological approaches, with the highest parent satisfaction scores (Araujo et al., 2022). While the review noted that robust clinical evidence remains limited for all teething remedies, these simple, low-risk methods are widely supported by paediatric dentists and healthcare professionals alike.
Home Hacks That Parents Find Genuinely Helpful
Beyond the official guidance, parents share a wealth of practical ideas that have worked for their babies. Across parenting forums and discussion groups, several practical ideas come up repeatedly among parents dealing with teething.
1. Chilled washcloths.
This is one of the most commonly mentioned hacks. Wetting a clean muslin or flannel and placing it in the fridge for fifteen to twenty minutes gives babies something cold and textured to chew on. Some parents tie a knot in the cloth to create a more satisfying chewing surface.
2. Frozen fruit in a mesh feeder.
Another popular option for babies over six months. Banana, mango, and berries are common choices. Breast milk frozen into small lolly moulds is another variation parents frequently recommend.
3. Finger gum massages.
For babies who want to chew but cannot yet hold a teether independently, parents find that offering a clean finger to gnaw on, or gently rubbing the gums in small circles, provides quick comfort. As babies develop their grasp, some parents find that firm teething biscuits can provide longer-lasting counter-pressure than traditional softer food teethers. Products designed specifically for teething should be hard enough to resist breaking apart quickly and always used under supervision.
Products to Avoid and Why
While many simple teething remedies are low risk, some products marketed specifically for teething have raised serious safety concerns. Several popular products have been the subject of safety warnings from health authorities, and it is important to know which ones to avoid.
Teething gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine
The FDA issued a warning against benzocaine-containing oral products for children under two, due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a serious condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. Lidocaine-based products have been linked to seizures, heart problems, and even death in young children when accidentally ingested or over-applied (FDA). The NHS also notes that there is a lack of evidence that teething gels are effective and advises that general oral pain relief gels are not suitable for young babies (NHS).
Amber teething necklaces and jewellery
Amber necklaces are widely discussed among parents, with many believing that succinic acid released from the amber has anti-inflammatory properties. There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. More critically, the FDA has received reports of infant deaths from strangulation and serious injuries from choking on beads that have broken free (FDA). The NHS and the American Academy of Pediatrics both advise against using teething jewellery of any kind.
Homeopathic teething tablets
Some homeopathic teething tablets have been linked to adverse events, including those containing inconsistent levels of belladonna. The FDA issued a warning after laboratory analysis found these products contained varying amounts of the toxic substance. The NHS recommends against using unlicensed homeopathic products for teething (NHS).
When to Use Pain Relief Medication
For babies who seem particularly uncomfortable, the NHS advises that sugar-free paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given in age-appropriate doses. Paracetamol is suitable from two months, and ibuprofen from three months, provided your baby weighs at least 5kg (NHS). Always follow the dosing instructions on the packaging or ask a pharmacist if you are unsure.
One of the most common questions parents ask is how often it is safe to give pain relief during a rough teething stretch. The answer depends on the medication: paracetamol can be given every four to six hours with a maximum of four doses in 24 hours, while ibuprofen can be given every six to eight hours with a maximum of three doses. If your baby seems to need pain relief regularly for several days in a row, or symptoms seem unusually severe, it is worth checking with your GP, pharmacist, or health visitor to make sure something else is not causing the discomfort.
Avoid applying numbing products to gums before giving medication, as numbing the throat could affect your baby’s ability to swallow safely.
Choosing Safe Teething Products
With so many teething products on the market, choosing wisely matters. A good teething product should be firm enough to provide satisfying counter-pressure, free from small parts that could break off, and made from materials that are suitable for mouthing. Parents are also increasingly concerned about microplastics from silicone and plastic teethers, so food-based teethers and natural-material teethers are also options to consider.
Food-based teething options are worth considering, particularly for babies over six months. Hard teething biscuits such as Bickiepegs, which are made from just wheat flour, wheat germ, and water with no added sugar or artificial ingredients, offer an alternative to plastic teethers. Their firm texture is specifically designed to withstand sustained chewing rather than dissolving quickly, and the finger-sized shape allows babies to hold them independently and reach different areas of the gums.
Whatever product you choose, always supervise your baby while they are chewing. Check teething rings and toys regularly for signs of wear, and replace anything that is cracked, torn, or has pieces coming loose.
