Quick answer: Offer a teething ring cooled in the fridge (never the freezer), gently rub the sore gum with a clean finger, and comfort or distract your baby with cuddles and a calm, familiar bedtime routine. If they're in pain, a sugar-free painkiller can be used — paracetamol from 2 months, ibuprofen from 3 months. Follow the instructions, or ask your pharmacist or GP.
What parents need to know
Teething often shows up as broken sleep, more dribbling and a fretful baby who can't settle. The good news is that the things that help most at night are simple, safe and already within reach.
Why does teething seem harder at night?
Teething is milk teeth pushing through the gum, which can leave it swollen and tender. Not sleeping well is one of the recognised signs, alongside sore red gums, dribbling more than usual, gnawing on things, a flushed cheek and being more fretful than usual.
Every baby is different. Some teeth arrive with no discomfort at all, or with mild symptoms lasting only a few days, so a hard night does not mean every night will be hard.
When do teeth usually come through?
Knowing roughly what's arriving can help you make sense of an unsettled patch.
- Around 6 months — Most babies start teething, with the central incisors (front teeth) usually first. Some start before 4 months and others after 12 months.
- Around 8 months — Lateral incisors, either side of the front teeth.
- Around 12 months — First molars (back teeth).
- Around 18 months — Canines, the pointed teeth between the lateral incisors and first molars.
- Around 24 months — Second molars. Most children have all their milk teeth by 2 to 3 years old.
How do you soothe a teething baby at night?
Work through these in the wind-down before bed, and repeat what works during night wakings.
- Cool a teething ring in the fridge — A teething ring gives your baby something safe to chew, which may ease discomfort and distract them from the pain. Chilling it first can soothe the gums — follow the instructions that come with the ring for how long to chill it.
- Never use the freezer — A frozen teething ring could damage your baby's gums. Chilled is enough.
- Rub the gums with a clean finger — Gently rubbing the sore gum with a clean finger may help settle your baby.
- Comfort and distract — Comforting or playing with your baby can take their attention away from the pain in their gums — useful for resettling in the small hours.
- Wipe away the dribble — If teething is making your baby dribble more than usual, gently wiping their face may help prevent a rash. A pharmacist can suggest a soothing cream if the skin is already sore.
- Offer something safe to chew in the evening — If your baby is 6 months or older and weaning or weaned, healthy things to chew such as raw fruit and vegetables can help; soft fruit like melon soothes gums. Always watch your baby while they eat in case they choke.
- Consider sugar-free pain relief if they're in pain — A sugar-free painkilling medicine can relieve teething symptoms. Always follow the instructions that come with the medicine, and speak to a GP or pharmacist if you're unsure.
Can you give a teething baby pain relief at night?
Yes, if your baby is in pain. Paracetamol can be given from 2 months and ibuprofen from 3 months, provided your baby weighs more than 5kg. Choose a sugar-free liquid, check you have the right strength for your baby's age, and stick to the dose on the label.
Do not give ibuprofen if your baby has chickenpox or is dehydrated, and get advice from a GP or pharmacist first if they have asthma. Children under 16 should not have aspirin. Do not alternate paracetamol and ibuprofen unless a health professional tells you to.
Use the oral syringe that comes with the medicine rather than a kitchen teaspoon, which can vary in size. If you're not sure how to use it, your health visitor or pharmacist can show you.
Helpful tip
What about teething gels and necklaces?
There's a lack of evidence that teething gels are effective, so teething rings or simple sugar-free painkillers are recommended first. If you do use a gel, choose one specially designed for young children and bought from a pharmacy — these contain a mild local anaesthetic and should only be used for babies over 5 months old. General oral pain relief gels are not suitable for children. Homeopathic teething products are not recommended.
Never tie a teething ring around your baby's neck, as it may be a choking hazard. Teething necklaces worn by babies can be dangerous unless they come apart easily to protect the airway.
What shouldn't you blame on teething?
Teething may raise your baby's temperature very slightly, but to less than 38C. A temperature of 38C or above is a fever and should not be put down to teething.
Some people think teething causes diarrhoea, but there's no evidence to support this. It's also best to avoid rusks and other sugary foods, as sugar can cause tooth decay even when your child only has a few teeth.
When should you get medical advice?
If your baby has a fever over 38C, seems very upset or is clearly unwell, don't assume it's teething — get medical help. You know your baby best, so contact a GP or call NHS 111 about any symptom that worries you.
- Call 111 — If your baby is under 3 months with a temperature of 38C or higher, is 3 to 6 months with a temperature of 39C or higher, has other signs of illness such as a rash, has had a high temperature for 5 days or more, won't eat, isn't their usual self, or shows signs of dehydration such as nappies that aren't very wet, sunken eyes or no tears when crying.
- Call 999 — If your baby has a stiff neck, a rash that doesn't fade when you press a glass against it, a first febrile seizure, unusually cold hands and feet, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin or lips, is drowsy and hard to wake, won't stop crying, or has difficulty breathing.
How do you look after those new teeth?
Start brushing with a fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first milk tooth breaks through, and register your baby with a dentist once teeth start coming through.
Frequently asked questions
Can you put a teething ring in the freezer?
No. A frozen teething ring could damage your baby's gums. Chill it in the fridge instead, following the instructions that come with the ring for how long to chill it.
Does teething cause a fever?
Teething may raise your baby's temperature very slightly, but to less than 38C. A temperature of 38C or above is a fever and should not be put down to teething.
Do teething gels work?
There's a lack of evidence that teething gels are effective, so teething rings or simple sugar-free painkillers are recommended first. Any gel should be made for young children, bought from a pharmacy and used only over 5 months.
When do babies usually start teething?
Most babies start teething around 6 months, with the central incisors usually first. Some start before 4 months and others after 12 months, and most children have all their milk teeth by 2 to 3 years old.
Sources & further reading
- NHS — Tips for helping your teething baby
- NHS — Baby teething symptoms
- NHS — Medicines for babies and children
- NHS — High temperature (fever) in children
- NCT — Teething in babies and young children | NCT
General information, not individual medical advice. Speak to your GP, midwife or health visitor about your baby’s needs.
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