Teething affects every baby, usually beginning somewhere between 4 and 7 months of age and continuing through the second and third year. The discomfort it causes — ranging from mild gum tenderness to genuine pain — drives a large market for teethers, teething remedies, and soothing products. Some of these are genuinely useful; others are ineffective; and some are actively dangerous. Here is what you need to know.
The average age for the first tooth to appear is around 6 months, but there is a wide range. Some babies cut their first tooth at 3 months; others have no teeth until past their first birthday. The lower central incisors (bottom front teeth) usually appear first, followed by the upper central incisors.
Teething continues until around two to three years of age, when the second molars typically appear. Molars tend to cause more discomfort than incisors due to their size and the length of time they take to erupt.
Teething pain comes from pressure and inflammation in the gum as the tooth pushes through. Common signs include:
It is worth noting that fever, diarrhoea, and vomiting are not caused by teething, despite widespread parental belief. If your baby has these symptoms, there is another cause — commonly a virus — and it should be investigated. Attributing genuine illness symptoms to teething can lead to delayed diagnosis of conditions that need treatment.
Silicone teethers are the most commonly available and widely used option. Food-grade silicone is soft, flexible, easy to clean, and durable. It provides good resistance for chewing without being hard enough to damage emerging teeth or gums.
Look for teethers made from 100% food-grade silicone with no added fillers, BPA-free certification, and no small parts that could detach. Many silicone teethers can be placed in the fridge (not the freezer) to add a cool, soothing element.
Natural rubber teethers (such as the well-known Sophie la Girafe) are soft, pliable, and provide good chewing resistance. Natural rubber is generally considered safe, but be aware that some rubber teethers have interior cavities that can harbour mould if water enters during washing. Check rubber teethers regularly for mould and replace if found.
Untreated or food-safe-finished wooden teethers provide a different, firmer texture that some babies prefer. Ensure any wooden teether is made from non-toxic hardwood with a food-safe finish (or no finish at all) and has no splinters or rough edges. Avoid soft woods that can splinter.
The cold from a chilled teether (or a clean, cold flannel) numbs the gum tissue slightly and provides temporary relief. Refrigerate teethers for 30 minutes before use. Do not freeze teethers — an extremely cold surface can damage delicate gum tissue.
A very simple and effective home option is a clean, wet flannel (muslin or cotton) placed in the fridge for 20 minutes and then offered for chewing.
Gel-filled teething rings are widely available but come with a caveat: avoid placing them in the freezer, as gel-filled rings can become uncomfortably hard. Also check the fill material — some older rings used liquids that may not be safe if the ring is punctured. Solid or hollow rings without filling are safer.
Topical teething gels — including popular products containing lidocaine or benzocaine — have been the subject of significant safety concerns.
Sugar-free products containing lidocaine (such as Dentinox Infant Teething Gel) are available in the UK. Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic. Safety concerns relate to the potential for topical anaesthetics to affect swallowing coordination in young babies, and the risk of accidental overdose if large amounts are applied. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) advises caution with topical anaesthetic teething gels in babies under two.
Products containing benzocaine are associated with a rare but serious risk of methaemoglobinaemia (a condition that reduces the blood's ability to carry oxygen). Benzocaine teething products are no longer recommended for children under two in the UK.
Teething granules (such as Ashton and Parsons) contain herbal ingredients. The evidence for their effectiveness is limited, but they are generally considered safer than lidocaine or benzocaine products. However, some homeopathic teething products recalled in the US contained inconsistent levels of belladonna, causing serious harm. Always buy from a UK pharmacy.
If you want to use a topical product, ask your pharmacist for advice on the safest current option for your baby's age.
Paracetamol (Calpol) or ibuprofen (from 3 months+, per product instructions) can be used for genuine teething pain. These have a clear evidence base and known safety profiles. They should be used for relief when teething is clearly causing distress, not as a routine daily measure.
Amber teething beads and necklaces are popular in some parenting communities, promoted on the basis that amber releases succinic acid when warmed by the skin, which then provides pain relief. There is no credible scientific evidence that this mechanism works or that amber beads have any analgesic effect.
More importantly, amber teething necklaces and anklets are dangerous. They present a strangulation risk (if the cord becomes caught) and a choking hazard (if beads break off). There have been multiple reports of infant deaths and serious injuries associated with teething necklaces and similar jewellery, both in the UK and internationally.
The NHS, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and safety organisations universally advise against teething necklaces for babies. Do not use them, and if you receive them as a gift, do not be tempted to try them.
3–6 months (pre-teeth, first signs of teething): Soft silicone teethers that fit easily in small hands; chilled wet flannel; rubber teethers. Focus on easy-to-grip shapes.
6–9 months (first incisors emerging): Multi-textured silicone teethers; chilled rings; teethers that allow access to the gum line at the front of the mouth.
12–24 months (molars arriving): Firmer silicone or rubber teethers that provide more resistance; teethers designed to reach the back of the mouth; cold foods (yoghurt, chilled cucumber sticks) for older babies on solids.
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