Controlling symptoms safely

If your baby has discomfort while teething, you can:

• Use mild pain relief medicine that is labeled for your child's specific age. Acetaminophen (for example, Tylenol) and ibuprofen (for example, Advil) may help relieve your baby's discomfort. Do not give aspirin to anyone younger than 20 because it has been associated with Reye's syndrome.
• Rub the affected gum. Use a clean finger (or cold teething ring) to gently rub the area of tooth eruption for about 2 minutes at a time. Many babies find this soothing, although they may protest at first.
• Provide safe objects for babies to chew on, such as teething rings. Babies who are teething like to gnaw on things to help relieve the pressure from an erupting tooth. Having safe objects to chew on can help prevent your baby from chewing on those that are dangerous, such as electrical cords or window sills that have lead paint. In 2007, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found high lead content in many children’s toys and jewelry made in other countries. For a complete list of recalled products, see the CPSC Web site at www.cpsc.gov.

Although many parents use topical gels and other teething remedies, there are questions about how effective and safe these products are. Talk to your doctor about which types of products are safe and how often they can be used.

Promoting healthy teeth

You can give your child the best chance for healthy teeth and gums:

• Take measures to help prevent tooth decay in your child's primary teeth. For example, as soon as your baby’s teeth come in, start cleaning them with a soft cloth or gauze pad. As more teeth erupt, clean teeth with a soft toothbrush, using only water for the first few months. Also, help to prevent baby bottle tooth decay by always taking a bottle out of your baby's mouth as soon as he or she is finished. Clean your baby's teeth after feeding, especially at night. When your baby starts eating solids, offer healthy foods that are low in sugar, and keep milk feedings during the night to a minimum.
• Schedule regular well-child visits with your child's doctor. During these exams, your child's dental health is assessed. An appointment with a dentist is recommended sometime between 6 months and 1 year of age (but no later than 6 months after the first tooth erupts) if your doctor thinks that your child is at high risk for tooth decay.¹

For more information on caring for your child's teeth, see the topic Basic Dental Care or Tooth Decay.