What are the first signs my baby is teething?

The most common early signs are more drooling than usual, gnawing and chewing on hands or toys, fussiness, and gums that look red or swollen where a tooth is pushing through. You may also see a drool rash on the chin and some disturbed sleep. Signs often start a few days before a tooth actually breaks the gum, then settle once it comes through.

Can teething cause a fever?

Teething can cause a slightly warmer temperature, but not a true fever. Both the AAP and NHS are clear that a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or higher is not from teething and points to a separate illness. If your baby has a real fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash, treat it as a possible illness and call your pediatrician rather than blaming teeth.

How long does teething pain last?

For most babies, the discomfort around any single tooth lasts only a few days, roughly from when the gum gets sore until the tooth breaks through. Babies usually get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, and the full set of 20 baby teeth typically finishes coming in by about age 3. So teething happens in short bursts spread over a couple of years, not as constant pain.

Are amber teething necklaces safe?

No. The FDA and AAP warn against teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber, wood, marble, and silicone, because they pose real risks of choking and strangulation, and there is no good evidence they reduce pain. The FDA has received reports of deaths and serious injuries tied to teething jewelry. Use a firm rubber teether you can hold or a chilled washcloth instead.

What is the safest way to soothe my teething baby?

Stick to simple, drug-free options first: gently rub the gums with a clean finger, offer a firm rubber teething ring or a clean washcloth chilled in the fridge (never frozen solid), and offer extra comfort and cuddles. If your baby is really uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician about an age-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid numbing gels with benzocaine and homeopathic teething tablets.

Baby Teething: Signs, Timeline, and What Actually Helps

Creator: The newborn.mom team
Published: 2026-05-30

Real baby teething signs, a typical timeline, the fever myth, and safe ways to soothe sore gums. Plus what to avoid, like amber necklaces and benzocaine gels.

By The newborn.mom teamUpdated May 30, 20266 min read

Your baby is suddenly drooling through three bibs a day, gnawing on everything in reach, and waking up cranky at 2 a.m. Teething is one of the first things parents reach for to explain a fussy stretch, and often it really is the answer. But teething also gets blamed for a lot it does not cause, and some popular "remedies" are genuinely unsafe. Here is what teething actually looks like, when to expect it, what helps, and what to skip.

When teething starts and how it unfolds

Most babies get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months old, though the range is wide and heavily influenced by family history. Some babies cut a tooth as early as 3 months. Others have a gummy smile well past their first birthday, and that can be perfectly normal too. A late first tooth on its own is rarely a problem.

Teeth tend to arrive in a predictable order. The two bottom front teeth (central incisors) usually come first, followed by the matching top front teeth, then the rest fill in over time, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. The full set of 20 baby teeth is typically in place by around age 2.5 to 3. So teething is not one long ordeal. It comes in short waves, with calm stretches in between.

Real teething signs (and the symptoms it does not cause)

Genuine teething signs are mostly local: they happen in and around the mouth. The classic ones include:

Drooling more than usual, sometimes with a rash on the chin from all the saliva
A strong urge to chew and bite on hands, toys, or your finger
Gums that look red, puffy, or tender where a tooth is pushing up
Fussiness and more night waking than usual
Rubbing the cheek or ear on the side where a tooth is coming in
A slightly raised temperature

That last point is where a lot of confusion starts.

The fever myth

Teething can nudge a baby's temperature up a little, but it does not cause a true fever. The AAP is specific: a temperature higher than 101F (38.3C) is probably not from teething. The NHS draws a similar line, describing teething temperature as slightly raised but under 38C (100.4F), and notes there is no evidence that teething causes diarrhea.

This matters because if you assume a real fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or a worsening rash is "just teething," you might miss an actual illness. When in doubt, treat those symptoms as a possible illness, not a tooth.

What actually helps a teething baby

The good news is that the most effective soothing methods are also the simplest and cheapest. Cold and gentle counter-pressure on the gums are the workhorses here.

Gum massage. Wash your hands, then gently rub the sore spot with a clean finger or knuckle. The AAP lists this as a simple, effective first move.
A chilled washcloth. Dampen a clean washcloth, chill it in the fridge, and let your baby chew it. The cold soothes and the texture gives something firm to bite.
A firm rubber teething ring. Something solid your baby can grip and gnaw on works well. The NHS notes you can cool a teether in the fridge, but warns never to put it in the freezer, since a frozen-solid ring can hurt your baby's gums.
Extra comfort. Sometimes the best remedy is more holding, distraction, and patience. A fussy teething stretch passes.
Pain relief, when needed. For a baby who is truly miserable, the NHS notes paracetamol (acetaminophen) can be used from 2 months and ibuprofen from 3 months, following the package dosing for your baby's age and weight. Always confirm the dose with your pediatrician or pharmacist, especially for younger babies.

Teether types, in plain terms

If you are shopping for something to chew on, you do not need anything fancy. The categories that work are simple silicone or firm natural-rubber teething rings, textured teethers with ridges or nubs for different sensations, and washcloth-style teethers your baby can grip. Pick something one solid piece, easy to clean, and large enough that it cannot be swallowed. Chilling it in the fridge first adds a soothing element. Skip anything with small parts, liquid or gel filling that could leak, or beads that could come loose.

What to avoid, and why

A few products marketed for teething are best left on the shelf.

Benzocaine numbing gels. The AAP warns that benzocaine, the numbing agent in many over-the-counter teething gels, has been linked to methemoglobinemia, a serious and sometimes fatal condition that lowers how much oxygen the blood can carry. The U.S. FDA has said these products should not be used in children under 2. Lidocaine gels carry their own serious risks and are also not recommended for teething.
Homeopathic teething tablets and gels. Some contain ingredients like belladonna, and the AAP advises against them.
Amber and other teething necklaces. Teething jewelry made of amber, wood, marble, or silicone is not approved for this use and poses real risks of choking and strangulation, with no solid evidence it reduces pain. The FDA has received reports of infant deaths and serious injuries linked to teething jewelry. If you want to use an amber bead for any reason, keep it far away from your baby's neck and mouth.
Hard frozen objects. A teether that is frozen rock-solid is too hard for tender gums. Fridge-cool, not freezer-frozen.

Caring for those new teeth

The minute that first tooth appears, it can get cavities, so dental care starts now. Wipe the new tooth and gums with a clean, damp cloth or a soft infant toothbrush, and ask your pediatrician or dentist about using a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste. The AAP recommends a first dental visit by your baby's first birthday or within six months of the first tooth. Skip letting your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice, which bathes new teeth in sugar overnight.

When to talk to your pediatrician

Every baby teethes on their own timeline, and most need nothing more than a cold teether and a cuddle. Reach out to your pediatrician if your baby has a true fever (38C / 100.4F or higher), seems genuinely unwell rather than just cranky, is refusing to eat or drink, or has diarrhea, vomiting, or a worsening rash, since these are signs of illness rather than teething. It is also worth a conversation if you have no teeth by around 18 months, or any time something just feels off to you. You know your baby best, and your provider would rather hear from you than have you guess.

Frequently asked questions

What are the first signs my baby is teething?: The most common early signs are more drooling than usual, gnawing and chewing on hands or toys, fussiness, and gums that look red or swollen where a tooth is pushing through. You may also see a drool rash on the chin and some disturbed sleep. Signs often start a few days before a tooth actually breaks the gum, then settle once it comes through.
Can teething cause a fever?: Teething can cause a slightly warmer temperature, but not a true fever. Both the AAP and NHS are clear that a temperature of 38C (100.4F) or higher is not from teething and points to a separate illness. If your baby has a real fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or a rash, treat it as a possible illness and call your pediatrician rather than blaming teeth.
How long does teething pain last?: For most babies, the discomfort around any single tooth lasts only a few days, roughly from when the gum gets sore until the tooth breaks through. Babies usually get their first tooth between 4 and 7 months, and the full set of 20 baby teeth typically finishes coming in by about age 3. So teething happens in short bursts spread over a couple of years, not as constant pain.
Are amber teething necklaces safe?: No. The FDA and AAP warn against teething necklaces and bracelets, including amber, wood, marble, and silicone, because they pose real risks of choking and strangulation, and there is no good evidence they reduce pain. The FDA has received reports of deaths and serious injuries tied to teething jewelry. Use a firm rubber teether you can hold or a chilled washcloth instead.
What is the safest way to soothe my teething baby?: Stick to simple, drug-free options first: gently rub the gums with a clean finger, offer a firm rubber teething ring or a clean washcloth chilled in the fridge (never frozen solid), and offer extra comfort and cuddles. If your baby is really uncomfortable, ask your pediatrician about an age-appropriate dose of acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid numbing gels with benzocaine and homeopathic teething tablets.