Teething Signs and What Actually Helps

Teething gets blamed for almost everything in the first two years — fevers, diarrhoea, disrupted sleep, general crankiness. The reality, per NHS guidance, is narrower: teething causes specific, local symptoms, and treating everything else as "just teething" can mean missing something that actually needs attention.

What teething genuinely causes

• Red, sore or swollen gums
• One flushed cheek
• A mild raised temperature (below 38°C)
• Increased dribbling
• Gnawing or chewing on things
• Being more irritable or clingy than usual
• Rubbing their ear or face

What the NHS is explicit is not caused by teething: a temperature above 38°C, diarrhoea, or a rash. If your baby has any of these, treat it as a separate illness and seek advice rather than waiting it out as teething.

What actually helps

Teething rings and toys

Gently chewing on a clean, firm object provides counter-pressure that eases gum discomfort. Chilled (not frozen) teething rings work well — the cold has a mild numbing effect. Always check the product is designed for teething and free of small detachable parts.

Gently rubbing the gum

A clean finger, gently rubbed over the sore gum, is free and genuinely soothing for a lot of babies.

Sugar-free teething gel

The NHS notes that sugar-free teething gels containing a local anaesthetic can be used, following the dosing instructions on the packet carefully.

Paracetamol or ibuprofen

Infant paracetamol or ibuprofen at the correct age-appropriate dose can help if your baby is in genuine discomfort — check the packet for age and weight guidance, and speak to a pharmacist if unsure.

What doesn't help, and what to avoid

• Amber teething necklaces. There's no good evidence they relieve teething pain, and they carry a genuine choking and strangulation risk — the NHS and most paediatric bodies advise against them.
• Teething gels or granules containing certain ingredients. Always check with a pharmacist before using anything not clearly labelled and marketed for infant teething, and avoid homeopathic teething products, which the MHRA has previously flagged for inconsistent ingredient content.
• Rubbing alcohol or aspirin on the gums — never appropriate for infants.

When to see a GP

See a GP or health visitor if your baby has a temperature over 38°C, seems unusually unwell, has diarrhoea, or you're simply not sure whether what you're seeing is teething or something else. It's a reasonable, common reason to seek reassurance, and better than assuming everything is teething and missing a separate illness.