Medicines for Teething

What it is

Teething is the normal process of a baby's first (milk) teeth pushing through the gums, which usually begins around six months of age (though it varies widely, and some babies get their first tooth earlier or later), and continues over the first couple of years as the full set comes through. As the teeth move through the gums, they can cause some discomfort and a number of common signs and symptoms, including: sore, red or swollen gums where a tooth is coming through, increased dribbling (drooling), the baby wanting to chew, bite or gnaw on things, being more irritable, unsettled or fretful than usual, flushed cheeks, and sometimes disturbed sleep and a slightly reduced appetite. It is important to know that, while teething can make a baby uncomfortable and unsettled, it is a normal process and does not make a baby seriously ill — it does not cause a high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, or a significant illness. This matters because assuming that such symptoms are "just teething" could delay recognising a genuine illness — so if a baby is unwell (for example with a high temperature, or seems unwell in other ways), this should not be dismissed as teething, and should be assessed. For the discomfort of teething itself, simple comfort measures usually help.

How it is treated

Because teething is a normal process, management is about comforting the baby and easing the discomfort while the teeth come through, with simple measures. Helpful approaches include: giving the baby something safe to chew on, such as a clean, cool (not frozen) teething ring or a clean, cold object, which they can gnaw on to soothe the gums; gently rubbing the sore gum with a clean finger; and, for a baby over six months, offering cool water to drink, and, if they are on solids, cool, soft foods or safe things to chew (such as a piece of chilled soft fruit or vegetable under supervision). Wiping away excess dribble gently helps prevent a dribble rash on the chin. For a baby who is in more discomfort, simple pain relief such as infant paracetamol or ibuprofen (at the appropriate dose for the baby's age and weight) can be used if needed, following the instructions — a pharmacist can advise. Teething gels are sometimes used, but advice on these varies, and it is best to check with a pharmacist about suitable options. Comfort, cuddles and reassurance help an unsettled baby. Crucially, because teething does not cause serious illness, a baby who has a high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, or seems genuinely unwell should be assessed rather than assuming it is teething. Once teeth come through, good early dental care (cleaning the teeth and, later, dental visits) supports healthy teeth. The reassuring message is that teething is a normal, temporary process that can be eased with simple comfort measures, and that it does not cause serious illness — so signs of a baby being genuinely unwell should not be dismissed as teething.