Teething: Signs, Symptoms And Relief
- How do you help your baby through the teething process, and what can you do? It’s an essential part of your baby’s growth, but it might leave your baby (and you!) a little distressed.
- In this guide, we go through the signs of teething in babies, as well as ways you can care for your baby during this phase of their growth.
Teething signs and symptoms
- Are they crying?
- Are they grumpier than usual?
- Are they drooling and dribbling excessively?
- Do they wake up at night distressed?
- Are their gums sensitive and red?
- Are they biting and chewing whatever they can find?
- Are they rubbing their ear?
- Does your baby have flushed or red cheeks?
- Are they refusing food?
- Do they have a mild temperature?
How to relieve teething discomfort
- Teething rings
- Gently rubbing their gums
- Keeping their face clean
- Comforting your baby
What is teething?
Teething happens when your baby’s teeth start pushing through the gums, which can lead to inflammation – that is, their gums becoming red, sore, and painful. This process takes around 8 days per tooth about 4 days before the tooth comes out and 4 days after.1
There are no set rules to this. When it comes to teething, babies experience the process in different ways. A good way to prepare for this phase in your baby’s growth is to know the signs when you see them.
Teething signs and symptoms
How do you tell if a baby is teething? Is a teething rash on cheeks normal? Many parents can feel confused about what the symptoms of teething in babies are.
In a survey of parents around the world conducted by Nurofen for Children†, parents responded that:
● Most babies start to experience teething pain between 4 and 12 months
● Teething pain typically lasts anywhere from 1 week to 4 months
● The top 2 most common symptoms are restless sleep and red & swollen gums
● When teething, over half of babies experience pain at least once a day
● Most parents describe their child’s teething pain as ‘moderate’
†Online survey of n=1,357 parents with children under 2 years old experiencing teething pain, conducted in June 2017 across 5 markets (United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Russia and Germany).
You won’t always be able to see your baby’s tooth appearing, and you might only be able to feel a bump. Sometimes teeth may emerge with no discomfort – but this is not always the case.
Here are some questions to consider that can help you understand if your child is showing signs of teething:
Are they crying?
Are they grumpier than usual?
Are they drooling and dribbling excessively?
Do they wake up at night distressed?
Are their gums sensitive and red?
Are they biting and chewing whatever they can find?
Are they rubbing their ear?
Does your baby have flushed or red cheeks?
Are they refusing food?
Do they have a mild temperature?
Your child may experience one or more of these symptoms when they are teething. Always seek medical advice if you are concerned about your baby’s symptoms for any reason.
The teething process
The timing of teething is different between every child. One baby might start teething at 4 months, while another may not start till 12 months. Most children will have all their primary or “milk” teeth by the time they are 3 years old.2,3
Every baby is different, but here’s a rough order of how baby teeth emerge:2,3
6-10 Months
Bottom front teeth (central incisors)
8-13 Months
Top front teeth (central incisors)
8-13 Months
Either side of the top front teeth (lateral incisors)
10-16 Months
Either side of bottom front teeth (lateral incisors)
13-19 Months
First set of back teeth (first molars)
16-23 Months
Teeth between molars and incisors (canines)
25-33 Months
Second set of back teeth (second molars)
How to relieve teething discomfort
When you see teething baby signs, knowing how to help relieve any discomfort can help make it less stressful for you and your baby. Remember that different comforts help different babies, and, through trial and error, you can find what works for your baby.
Some things to try include:
Teething rings:
If your baby feels the need to chew something, a teething ring might be a good option. It can ease their discomfort and distract them from any pain. Carefully follow the instructions that come with your teething ring of choice.
Gently rubbing their gums:
Feeling pressure on their gums can help decrease your baby’s teething pain. Try gently massaging your baby’s gum with your clean finger.
Keeping their face clean:
If your baby is dribbling more than usual, this may cause a teething rash on their chin. Be sure to gently wipe away the dribble to help prevent a teething rash.
Comforting your baby:
Extra cuddles and hugs help to comfort your baby, especially if teething pain wakes them at night. Playing with your child also helps to distract them from the pain.
Why Nurofen for Children can help
Nurofen for Children contains ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory which helps relieve pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen can be given to babies aged 3 months and older weighing 6 kg and up, to help reduce inflammation associated with teething and provide teething pain relief.
Aside from relieving teething pain, Nurofen for Children oral suspension also provides up to 8 hours4 of fever relief and can be taken on empty tummies. It’s available in either strawberry or orange flavours, and is colour free and sugar free.
Tips for protecting your child’s teeth
Caring for your baby’s teeth is important. Healthy teeth allow them to chew food and speak properly, and also helps ensure their future adult teeth have plenty of room to grow.
Here are some ways you can help take care of your baby’s teeth and develop good oral hygiene habits:
Clean your baby’s teeth
From birth, you can start cleaning your baby’s gums by wiping with a soft wet cloth. As soon as they get their first tooth, start brushing twice a day with a small, soft toothbrush and plain water. One brushing should be at night before your baby goes to bed. You can start adding a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste that’s suitable for children from 18 months.
Visit the dentist
Take your child to their first dental visit at 12 months. Ensure that they continue to have regular dental check-ups as they get older.
Don’t allow your baby to fall asleep with a bottle
Going to sleep with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or other sweetened drink can cause tooth decay. A pacifier or dummy is a better option if they want to suck on something to settle themselves.
This article is for general information only and not intended as a substitute for medical advice. All information presented on these web pages is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. In all health-related matters, always consult your health professional.
This medicine may not be right for you. Read the label before purchase. Follow the directions for use. Incorrect use could be harmful. If symptoms persist talk to your health professional.
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