It is exciting to see your baby’s first tooth! Baby (primary) teeth begin to come in when your child is about 6 to 10 months old. For some babies, teething hurts. As teeth come in, babies might be cranky or drool more. They might have sore or swollen gums. And they may chew on things.
Tips for helping your baby with teething pain:
- Check your child’s teeth and mouth.
- Rub your baby’s gums with a clean finger. The rubbing may make your baby’s gums feel better.
- Find teething toys that have solid pieces. Loose pieces can break off and make your baby choke.
- It is best not to use teething toys that have liquid in them. Your baby could chew a hole into them.
- Don’t put any teething toys or necklaces around your baby’s neck. And don’t pin or clip them to your baby’s clothes. The toy could get tangled around your baby’s neck and make her choke.
- Give your baby something cool to chew on. Clean, refrigerated spoons, pacifiers, teething rings, and wet washcloths are good choices. Don’t put teething rings in the freezer. That makes them too cold for your baby’s mouth.
- With your baby seated in a high chair, offer a chunk of frozen banana or plain bagel to chew on. Give your baby the whole piece of food. Don’t cut it into small pieces. Keep an eye on your baby when she eats in case she chokes.
- Don’t use teething gels or liquids on your baby’s gums. They are not safe.
Photo credit: jadam / Foter / CC BY-NC-SA
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Resource Type: Publication
National Centers: Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety
Age Group: Infants and Toddlers
Audience: Families
Series: Healthy Habits for Happy Smiles
Last Updated: April 26, 2023