You can use a cold washcloth, a cold spoon, or a slightly chilled teething ring to help your baby feel better. [2] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source While cold substances can help, anything frozen can be bad for your baby’s health. Contact with extremely cold temperatures can be harmful to the mouth and gums. Use your refrigerator instead of your freezer when cooling off silverware or teething rings. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
Keep a close eye on your baby if you give him hard foods, or place the hard foods in a mesh feeding bag approved for this use. You want to make sure he does not choke. [6] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
A water or cream-based lotion can be applied around your baby’s mouth. This can also help prevent her skin from drying out due to drool. [8] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source In the event a drooling rash does occur, place a cloth under the bed sheet while she sleeps. You should also rub some baby lotion or ointment around her mouth and cheeks before bed. [9] X Research source If drooling is a common problem, consider a bib to catch drool as it falls.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Children’s Motrin) can be helpful for a teething baby. It might be a good idea to run this by your baby’s doctor first to ask about dosage and any safety precautions you should take. [10] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Do not give ibuprofen to babies under six months of age. Avoid any medications that contain benzocaine, a common pain reliever. In rare cases, this can cause a serious condition that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood. [11] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You should have your baby evaluated by a doctor before administering any medication if teething is severe. You want to make sure the pain is caused by teething and not an undetected underlying condition, like an ear infection. [12] X Research source
Avoid teething gels with benzocaine and make sure not to use teething gels more than recommended.
Homeopathic powders or granules, sold by many pharmacies, are relatively harmless as long as they’re sugar-free. However, most evidence regarding their effectiveness is anecdotal. If your baby is not responding to other treatments, you may want to try such powders but know there is no guarantee they will work. [14] X Research source Some stores sell amber bracelets or necklaces which supposedly aid with teething pain by releasing a small amount of oil into the baby’s skin. You should take extreme caution if you decide to try this method. Bracelets and necklaces both carry a choking risk for a small child. Babies may also suck or chew on such devices, and dislodged beads also carry a choking risk. There is no scientific evidence that shows amber is effective during teething pain. [15] X Research source
Wash your baby’s gums with a clean, damp washcloth each day. This will prevent bacteria from building up. [18] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush as your baby’s first teeth begin to appear. Your child will not learn to spit until the age of three. Before this, use only a small bit of fluoride toothpaste that is approved for babies or children. It should be no bigger than a grain of rice. [19] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source
