Teething: Symptoms, Timeline, and Safe Remedies

Teething turns a happy baby into a drooly, gnawing, fussy one — and surrounds parents with products, many of them unsafe. The good news: relief is simple, cheap, and effective, and the dangerous "remedies" are easy to identify and avoid. This guide covers what teething really looks like, what safely helps, what to skip, and the symptoms that mean it is something else.

When teething starts and what to expect

Most babies cut their first tooth around six months, though anywhere from four to twelve months is normal. The bottom two front teeth (central incisors) usually come first, followed by the top front teeth. Each tooth’s symptoms tend to flare for a few days before it breaks the gum and then settle.

Common teething symptoms

Expect more drooling, a strong urge to chew on hands and objects, irritability, mildly swollen or tender gums, and sometimes lighter sleep or a smaller appetite. These are uncomfortable but manageable. What teething does not cause: a true fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or a body rash — if those appear, look for another explanation.

Safe ways to soothe teething

The most effective remedies are the simplest. Offer a firm rubber teether chilled in the refrigerator (not the freezer — frozen-solid items are too hard and can bruise gums), or a clean, cold, damp washcloth to chew on. Gently rubbing the gums with a clean finger provides counter-pressure that many babies love. For real discomfort, your pediatrician may okay infant acetaminophen, or ibuprofen if your baby is over six months, at the correct weight-based dose.

What to avoid — and why

Skip amber teething necklaces and bracelets: the FDA warns they pose choking and strangulation risks with no proven benefit. Avoid benzocaine gels in children under two — they can trigger a rare but dangerous blood disorder (methemoglobinemia) — as well as homeopathic teething tablets that have raised safety concerns. Hard frozen items and anything small enough to choke on are also out.

Caring for those first teeth

As soon as teeth appear, begin oral care: wipe or brush them twice daily with a soft infant brush and a tiny smear (rice-grain size) of fluoride toothpaste. Avoid letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice, which can cause early cavities. The AAP recommends a first dental visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.

When to call the doctor

Because teething does not cause high fever, diarrhea, or significant illness, attributing those to teeth can delay needed care. Call your pediatrician for a temperature of 100.4°F or higher, persistent diarrhea or vomiting, an unexplained rash, or a baby who seems genuinely unwell rather than just uncomfortable.

The bottom line

Teething brings drool, chewing, and fussiness around six months, relieved safely by chilled teethers, a cold washcloth, gum massage, and — if needed — pediatrician-approved pain relievers. Avoid necklaces and benzocaine gels, start brushing those first teeth, and remember that real fever or diarrhea is a separate issue worth a call.