# Teething Symptoms: Real Signs, Myths, and What Actually Helps

- URL: https://mamadidyouknow.com/teething-symptoms-and-remedies/
- Publisher: Mama, did you know? (https://mamadidyouknow.com/)
- Author: Sarah Morgan
- Published: 2026-10-23
- Evidence last checked: 2026-10-23

> Common teething symptoms are drooling, sore gums, chewing, and fussiness, sometimes with a slightly raised temperature. Teething doesn't cause a true fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, diarrhea, or a body rash.

**Short answer:** The most common teething symptoms are drooling, sore or swollen gums, chewing on everything, and extra fussiness, sometimes with a slightly raised temperature. Teething does not cause a true fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, diarrhea, or a rash beyond the drool area, so those are a reason to call your doctor. Most babies get their first tooth around 6 months.

When Adam started drooling through every bib, everyone told me he was teething and offered a different remedy. I wanted to know which ones are actually safe.

Key takeaways

- The first tooth usually arrives **around 6 months**, but the normal range is wide. All 20 baby teeth are usually in by about age 3.

- **Real signs:** sore gums, irritability, drooling, gum rubbing, and chewing, plus at most a small rise in temperature.

- **Not teething:** a fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher, diarrhea, vomiting, a cough, or a rash on the body. Call your doctor.

- **What helps:** a clean finger on the gums, a firm rubber teether that is chilled but never frozen solid, a cold damp washcloth, and lots of cuddles.

- **What to skip:** numbing gels with benzocaine, homeopathic teething tablets, and amber or any other teething necklaces and bracelets. The FDA warns against all three.

## When do babies start teething?

Usually somewhere around 6 months, though healthy babies vary a lot.

The American Dental Association (ADA) says the first teeth break through "sometime around 6 months of age," usually in the lower front. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) puts the usual start of teething at 4 to 7 months, and the NHS notes that some babies start before 4 months and some after 12 months. A few are even born with a tooth.

Your baby was born with all 20 baby teeth tucked under the gums. If yours is on the later side, the AAP says a late first tooth "doesn't mean that anything is wrong." Timing often runs in families. For the bigger picture of what's happening each month, see [baby milestones by month](https://mamadidyouknow.com/baby-milestones-by-month/).

## In what order do baby teeth come in?

Front teeth first, molars last: the bottom two front teeth usually lead the way, and the back molars finish up between 2 and 3 years.

Here is the ADA's eruption chart for baby teeth. The ranges overlap, so don't worry if your baby's teeth come in a slightly different order.

| Tooth | Lower teeth come in | Upper teeth come in | 
| Central incisors (two front teeth) | 6–10 months | 8–12 months | 
| Lateral incisors (next to the front teeth) | 10–16 months | 9–13 months | 
| First molars | 14–18 months | 13–19 months | 
| Canines (pointed eyeteeth) | 17–23 months | 16–22 months | 
| Second molars | 23–31 months | 25–33 months | 

That adds up to 10 teeth on top and 10 on the bottom. The ADA says most children have all 20 by age 3, and the NHS gives a similar window of 2 to 3 years.

On the ADA chart, the first molars usually come in before the canines, even though the canines sit closer to the front. So don't be surprised if a back tooth beats the pointy eyeteeth.

## What are the real signs of teething?

Sore gums, crankiness, and drool are the big three, and they tend to cluster in the few days around a tooth's arrival.

In a careful 2000 study published in Pediatrics, parents of 125 healthy babies logged temperatures and symptoms every day from 4 months to 1 year. Symptoms clustered in an 8-day window: the 4 days before a tooth came through, the day it appeared, and the 3 days after. The signs linked to teething were more biting, sucking, and gum rubbing; drooling and a rash on the face; irritability and wakefulness; ear rubbing; less interest in solid foods (but not milk); and a mild rise in temperature.

Still, no single symptom showed up in more than 35% of teething babies, and no group of symptoms reliably predicted a new tooth.

**What the research says:** a 2016 meta-analysis in Pediatrics pooled 16 studies of 3,506 children up to 36 months old. About 70% of children had at least one sign while teeth were coming in. The most common were gum irritation (about 87%), irritability (about 68%), and drooling (about 56%). Teething was linked to a rise in body temperature, but not one the authors classified as fever. The studies were observational and varied in quality, so treat the numbers as rough.

Drool, chewing, and fussiness are the most common teething signs; a quick chin wipe helps prevent drool rash.

## Does teething cause fever, diarrhea, or a rash?

Not a true fever and not diarrhea. A small temperature rise and a drool rash around the mouth are as far as teething goes.

This myth matters, because blaming teeth can mean missing an illness. The AAP calls fever "a false symptom of teething." The NHS describes the teething temperature as slightly raised, below 38°C (100.4°F), and says there's no evidence that teething causes diarrhea. In the 2000 study above, fevers over 102°F (38.9°C), loose stools, cough, congestion, vomiting, and rashes other than on the face were not linked to teething at all.

| Symptom | Teething? | What to do | 
| Drooling, chewing, sore gums, fussiness | Yes, common | Soothe at home (see below) | 
| Slightly warm, under 38°C (100.4°F) | Can be | Comfort and keep an eye on it | 
| Red, chapped skin around the mouth and chin | Yes, from drool | Gently wipe drool away through the day | 
| Fever of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher | No | Look for another cause; call your doctor (right away if under 3 months) | 
| Diarrhea, vomiting, cough, runny nose | No | Call your doctor if it lasts or worries you | 
| Rash on the body or diaper area | No | Get it checked by your doctor | 

A new tooth and an everyday bug can easily turn up in the same week. If your baby seems sick rather than just sore, don't blame the tooth.

## What actually helps a teething baby?

Gentle pressure and cold. Simple, cheap comfort measures are what the AAP, ADA, FDA, and NHS all recommend.

- **Rub the gums with a clean finger.** Wash your hands, then gently massage the sore spot. The FDA, the AAP, and the NHS all suggest this first.

- **Offer a firm rubber teether.** Choose solid rubber, not liquid-filled, and nothing that could crack. You can chill it in the fridge, but don't freeze it: the FDA says a teether that's too hard can hurt your baby's gums.

- **Try a cold, damp washcloth.** Twist a clean washcloth, wet it, and chill it for your baby to gnaw on. Just make sure it isn't frozen solid.

- **Offer cold water in a cup, from 6 months.** The AAP suggests a sippy cup of cold water for babies over 6 months. Here's more on [when babies can drink water](https://mamadidyouknow.com/when-can-babies-drink-water/).

- **Wipe the drool.** Gently patting the chin dry through the day helps prevent drool rash, the NHS notes.

- **Ask about pain relief if it's really bad.** If your baby seems very uncomfortable, the AAP says to ask your pediatrician about a remedy such as acetaminophen. Your pediatrician or pharmacist can tell you whether it's right for your baby and the right dose for their age and weight.

A clean finger on sore gums, or a chilled (never frozen) teether, is a simple, safe way to soothe teething pain.

Always stay with your baby while they chew on a teether, as the ADA advises, and toss any teether that's split or worn. Teething babies chew whatever they can reach, so it's a good moment to recheck the floor for small objects with our [babyproofing checklist by age](https://mamadidyouknow.com/babyproofing-checklist-by-age/).

**What the research says:** these comfort tips come from expert guidance by the AAP, ADA, FDA, and NHS rather than from clinical trials. They're low-risk and widely recommended, so use whatever soothes your baby.

## Which teething remedies should I avoid?

Numbing gels, homeopathic tablets, and teething jewelry. All three have FDA warnings, and none has good evidence that it helps.

- **Benzocaine gels and other numbing products.** In May 2018, the FDA asked companies to stop selling over-the-counter benzocaine products for teething and said they shouldn't be used in children under 2. Benzocaine can cause methemoglobinemia, a serious and sometimes fatal condition that lowers the oxygen in the blood. The AAP adds that drool washes gels away within minutes anyway. Prescription viscous lidocaine is not for teething either.

- **Homeopathic teething tablets and gels.** FDA testing found inconsistent amounts of belladonna, a toxic plant, in some teething tablets, sometimes far above the label. In 2017, the maker of a popular brand recalled all its teething tablets. The FDA says there is "no known safe dose" of belladonna in children.

- **Amber teething necklaces and any teething jewelry.** In December 2018, the FDA warned parents not to use teething necklaces or bracelets, after reports that included an 18-month-old who was strangled by an amber teething necklace during a nap and a 7-month-old who choked on beads from a wooden teething bracelet. The AAP's advice: necklaces made of amber, wood, marble, or silicone are all choking and strangulation risks.

- **Other old tricks.** Never rub alcohol on the gums, and avoid liquid-filled teethers. Check teething biscuit labels too: honey is off the menu before 1 (here's [why babies can't have honey](https://mamadidyouknow.com/can-babies-have-honey/)).

**What the research says:** the case against these products is clear. The FDA's 2018 review found 119 reported cases of methemoglobinemia linked to benzocaine products applied to the skin or mouth between 2009 and 2017, including 8 children treated for teething pain. Four of the 119 people died, one of them a 4-month-old given a benzocaine product for sore gums.

If your child has had a benzocaine or other numbing product and develops pale, gray, or blue skin, shortness of breath, a racing heart, headache, dizziness, or unusual tiredness, get emergency care right away or call 911. Take any teething necklace or bracelet off your baby, and never put anything on a cord around a baby's neck.

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## How do I take care of my baby's first teeth?

Start brushing with a rice-grain smear of fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth appears, and book a dental visit by the first birthday.

- **Brush twice a day** with a small, soft baby toothbrush. The AAP and the ADA both say to use a smear of fluoride toothpaste no bigger than a grain of rice until age 3, then a pea-sized amount.

- **See a dentist early.** The AAP says to see a dentist within 6 months of the first tooth, and no later than the first birthday. The ADA agrees on the first-birthday deadline, and the NHS suggests registering with a dentist when teeth start coming through.

- **No bottle in bed.** The AAP advises never letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle, to lower the risk of cavities.

A grain of rice really is tiny: just enough to tint a few bristles. Brushing that first tooth is also a sweet little ritual to add to your bedtime routine.

## When should I call the doctor about teething?

Whenever your baby seems sick rather than just sore, or something doesn't fit the usual pattern.

- Your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. The AAP says to call right away.

- Your baby has a fever over 38.3°C (101°F) or seems especially miserable. The AAP says this is probably not from teething.

- Diarrhea lasts more than a day, or your baby is vomiting

- There's a rash beyond the drool area around the mouth

- Your baby is feeding much less than usual, can't be comforted, or you simply feel something isn't right

## Frequently asked questions

**Q: How long do teething symptoms last?**

Usually just a few days per tooth. In the 2000 Pediatrics study, symptoms clustered in the 4 days before a tooth came through, the day it appeared, and the 3 days after. The NHS also notes that some babies have only mild symptoms for a few days, or none at all.

**Q: Does teething cause diarrhea or a runny nose?**

No. The NHS says there's no evidence that teething causes diarrhea, and the 2000 study found no link with loose stools, congestion, or cough. The AAP says to call your pediatrician if diarrhea lasts more than a day.

**Q: Is it normal for my baby to have no teeth at 12 months?**

It can be. The NHS notes that some babies start teething after 12 months, and the AAP says a later first tooth doesn't mean anything is wrong. Your baby's first dental visit, due by the first birthday, is a good time to ask.

**Q: Do amber teething necklaces work?**

There's no good evidence that they do, and the FDA warns against all teething necklaces and bracelets because of strangulation and choking deaths and injuries. Use a firm rubber teether instead.

**Q: Can I put a teething ring in the freezer?**

No. Chill it in the fridge instead. The FDA and the NHS both warn that a frozen teether can be hard enough to hurt your baby's gums.

**Q: Are teething gels ever OK?**

The FDA says benzocaine products shouldn't be used for teething or in children under 2, and the NHS says there's a lack of evidence that teething gels work. Ask your pediatrician or pharmacist before putting any product on your baby's gums.

### Sources

- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Eruption charts (primary tooth development chart). [mouthhealthy.org](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/eruption-charts)

- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Baby teeth. [mouthhealthy.org](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/baby-teeth)

- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy. Teething. [mouthhealthy.org](https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teething)

- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Teething: 4 to 7 months. [healthychildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-4-to-7-Months.aspx)

- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. How to help a teething baby (Teething pain). [healthychildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/teething-tooth-care/Pages/Teething-Pain.aspx)

- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Brushing up on oral health: never too early to start. [healthychildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/oral-health/Pages/Brushing-Up-on-Oral-Health-Never-Too-Early-to-Start.aspx)

- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Fever and your baby: when to call the pediatrician. [healthychildren.org](https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/fever/Pages/When-to-Call-the-Pediatrician.aspx)

- Massignan C, Cardoso M, Porporatti AL, et al. (2016). Signs and symptoms of primary tooth eruption: a meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20153501. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26908659/)

- Macknin ML, Piedmonte M, Jacobs J, Skibinski C (2000). Symptoms associated with infant teething: a prospective study. Pediatrics, 105(4 Pt 1), 747–752. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10742315/)

- US Food and Drug Administration. Safely soothing teething pain in infants and children. [fda.gov](https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children)

- US Food and Drug Administration (2018). Letter to manufacturers regarding over-the-counter oral health care products containing benzocaine. [fda.gov](https://www.fda.gov/files/drugs/published/FDA-Letter-Regarding-Benzocaine.pdf)

- US Food and Drug Administration (2017). Standard Homeopathic Company issues nationwide recall of Hyland's Baby Teething Tablets and Hyland's Baby Nighttime Teething Tablets. [fda.gov](https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/standard-homeopathic-company-issues-nationwide-recall-hylands-baby-teething-tablets-and-hylands-baby)

- NHS. Baby teething symptoms. [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/baby-teething-symptoms/)

- NHS. Tips for helping your teething baby. [nhs.uk](https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/teething/tips-for-helping-your-teething-baby/)

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General information for parents, not medical advice. Source page: https://mamadidyouknow.com/teething-symptoms-and-remedies/