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Baby Teething Tips

8 min read

Teething can be a difficult time for babies and their caregivers. Some babies find the process of teeth eruption painful or distressing, but this can vary for every child, with some not showing signs of discomfort. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can try to help a teething child feel better.

Read these tips for how to recognise the signs of teething, how long it lasts for, and ways you can help. If you need personalised advice or assistance, contact our Gold Coast dentists at Robina Town Dental today.

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When do babies start teething?

Children’s teeth develop in the womb, but they don’t usually start to erupt from the gums until the child is around 6 months old. This can happen earlier or later, with some children being born with teeth already present and others not getting their first tooth until after their first birthday.

Teething is usually complete by around 2 and a half years, but it can take longer for children whose teeth came in later. Delays in teething aren’t usually a problem, but you can talk to a children’s dentist if you have any concerns.

How do I know if my child is teething?

You may notice your child’s tooth coming through their gum or feel a hard or sharp bump where it’s growing. Most children will give other indications that a tooth is on its way, though not everyone shows obvious signs of teething.

Teething symptoms can include:

Chewing or gnawing: Teething babies may start chewing their fingers, toys or other items to hand.
Drooling: Babies typically start drooling by 2 or 3 months, but dribbling more than usual can be a sign of a tooth coming.
Flushed cheek: Rosy red cheeks, typically on one side only, can indicate that a tooth is irritating the gum.
Mild temperature: Teething can cause a slight increase in temperature, not usually above 38°C.
Sore gums: Their gums may look red, swollen, sore or discoloured where the tooth is growing.
Rash: Some children develop a temporary rash on their faces.
Rubbing their ear: This can happen if pain in the gums travels to the eardrum.
Irritability: Discomfort may make your baby cry more than usual or they may find it harder to settle.
Trouble sleeping: Pain or discomfort may interrupt a child’s sleep.

Whether teething is painful or not depends on the child’s individual tolerance to pain and how dense their gums are. Some children may not enjoy breastfeeding or bottle feeding when their gums are swollen, and may prefer a beaker or cup.

If your child has other symptoms than those listed, such as diarrhoea or a high temperature over 38°C, this is not likely related to teething and you should seek medical help.

How long does teething last?

It usually takes around 3–5 days for a tooth to come through, though this can vary. Your child may experience symptoms during some or all of this time, though this can be extended if more than one tooth is coming through.

The eruption of teeth usually follows the same pattern, with the child’s lower front teeth (incisors) appearing first, followed by their upper incisors. The teeth at the back of the mouth (molars) normally appear last.

Ways to help with teething pain

If your little one’s suffering for their new teeth, there are a few things you can try to ease their symptoms, as well as some things to avoid. If you’re not sure whether something’s safe for your baby, talk to your doctor or dentist for advice.

Comfort them

Gently rubbing your baby’s gum with a clean finger can sometimes help to relieve minor teething pain and discomfort. If you can’t relieve the pain, cuddling or playing with them could be enough of a distraction to take their mind off it.

If they’re dribbling more than usual, wiping their face and chin gently may help to prevent rashes.

Teething rings and toys

Teething rings and other toys are designed to be safe for little mouths to chew on and can help to ease discomfort and distract them, as long as they’re used correctly.

While some teething rings can be cooled in the fridge to be extra soothing, you should always follow the instructions and only cool them for as long as recommended. Don’t put them in the freezer, as this could hurt or even damage the gums.
Teething rings should only be used for as long as necessary, as chewing or sucking on toys for too long can lead to teeth misalignment or speech difficulties in some children.
Don’t use teething necklaces or tie anything around your child’s neck, as this can be a choking hazard.
Always sanitise teething toys first and don’t dip them in honey or other sweet substances, as this can expose your child’s teeth to sugar and lead to early tooth decay.

Food to chew on

If your baby is at least 6 months old, you can try giving them healthy snacks to chew on and relieve their discomfort. This includes soft fruits like melons, raw vegetables like carrots, and bread crusts and breadsticks.

Rusks and teething biscuits are less ideal, because these usually contain sugar that can lead to tooth decay. Always observe your baby while they eat so you can respond quickly to any possible choking hazards.

Pain relief medicine

If the above methods aren’t enough, you may consider giving your child age-appropriate pain relief medicine. Some products containing paracetamol or ibuprofen can be given to children aged 3 months or older, as long as you follow the instructions and recommended dosage.

Try to avoid medicines with sugar that could contribute to tooth decay. Young children should never take aspirin, and rubbing it on their gums may cause burns. Talk to your paediatric dentist or doctor if you need advice.

Use teething gels with caution

Some teething gels available from pharmacies contain a mild local anaesthetic, which shouldn’t be given to babies under 5 months. Others contain homeopathic ingredients, but there is not sufficient evidence that these are effective at relieving teething pain. Worse, some unlicensed gels have been linked with serious side effects, so they should generally be avoided.

General oral pain relief gels should not be given to young children under 16.

When should a baby visit the dentist?

If you have any concerns about your child’s developing teeth or teething symptoms they’re experiencing, make an appointment with their dentist or doctor. The sooner any possible problems are caught, the easier they generally are to address.

Even if they’re not having problems, registering your child with a dentist around the time their first teeth come through means you’ll be ready for their regular check-ups. These generally begin around 1 year of age, or within 6 months of getting their first tooth. Bringing your child along when you or other members of your family have appointments can also help them to get used to the dental environment.

General and preventive care for children may be free if you receive Medicare payments and qualify for the government’s Child Dental Benefits Schedule. Find out more about CDBS.

When do baby teeth start to fall out?

Teething isn’t over when your child has all their milk teeth, as the process starts again from around the age of 5 or 6, when the primary teeth start to fall out and get replaced by permanent teeth. Just like the first round, some children’s teeth fall out earlier or later, but they will generally have all of their permanent teeth by age 12 or 14. Wisdom teeth sometimes come later, usually between 17 and 21.

Looking after your child’s new teeth

When your baby’s teeth start to come through, it’s important to start caring for them right away so they can stay strong and healthy. These baby teeth will eventually make way for permanent teeth, but until then, they’re vital for your child’s eating, nutrition and speech development.

Help your child to keep their teeth healthy by brushing them twice a day. You can start with a small baby or toddler toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, brushing all surfaces of their teeth to remove stuck-on food and bacteria. From the age of 3, you can start using a pea sized amount of toothpaste, and they may be able to brush by themselves by age 6 or 7, still with supervision.

Once they have two teeth that touch, you should also start flossing between their teeth once a day. To lower their risk of tooth decay, try to limit added sugars in their diet, saving lollies and fruit juices for special occasions rather than having them every day. You should also take them to the dentist twice a year for their regular check-up and clean.

Kids’ dentist in the Gold Coast

Is your child ready for their first dental visit, or do you need some individual teething advice? Our friendly team at Robina Town Dental are here to help. Call us today on 07 5575 9100 or contact us and we'll get back to you.

We’re conveniently located in Robina Town Centre and welcome patients of all ages and from all nearby areas, including Burleigh Heads, Burleigh Waters, Clear Island Waters, Mermaid Waters, Merrimac, Miami, Mudgeeraba, Varsity Lakes and Worongary.