What is teething?

Your baby is teething when the first set of teeth (primary teeth) break through the gums (erupt). It may start around 6 months of age. Each child is different. Teeth coming in earlier or later than this is normal. Teeth often come in at the front of the mouth, starting with the lower teeth.

Some symptoms of teething may include:

• Being fussier than usual. It often begins about 3 to 5 days before a tooth erupts and goes away as soon as the tooth breaks through the baby's gums.
• Biting on fingers or toys. This may help relieve the pressure in the gums.
• Changes in eating and drinking. Teething babies may not want to eat and drink as much because their mouths hurt.
• Drooling. This can cause a rash on the baby's chin, face, or chest.
• A mild increase in the baby's temperature. If the temperature is higher than 100.4 °F (38 °C) , look for symptoms that may be related to an infection or illness. Severe or ongoing symptoms should be closely watched and discussed with your doctor.

Mild symptoms that get better usually are nothing to worry about.

When your child is teething, rub the affected gum. Try giving your child safe objects to chew on, including teethers and toys made for teething. Talk to your baby's doctor before giving an over-the-counter pain medicine. Avoid teething gels for children younger than age 2. Don't use teething tablets, which can harm your child.

• Give acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) for pain or fussiness. Do not use ibuprofen if your child is less than 6 months old unless the doctor gave you instructions to use it. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
• Gently rub your child's gum where the tooth is erupting for about 2 minutes at a time. Make sure your finger is clean, or use a clean teething ring.
• Do not use teething gels for children younger than age 2. Ask your doctor before using mouth-numbing medicine for children older than age 2. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that some of these can be dangerous. Talk to your child's doctor about other teething remedies.
• Give your child safe objects to chew on, such as teething rings. Do not use fluid-filled teethers.
• If your child is eating solids, try offering cold foods and fluids, which help to ease gum pain. You can also dip a clean washcloth in water, freeze it (but let it soften a little), and let your child chew on it.