What is the direct answer?
For an infant with teething discomfort, gently massage the gums with a clean finger and offer a cool, solid teething ring that cannot break apart.
What does this question mean?
Teething occurs as a primary tooth moves through the gum. Swelling, drooling, chewing, and irritability can occur.
What can you do next?
Gently rub the gum and offer a refrigerator-cooled solid teething ring. Avoid frozen objects, necklaces, and numbing gels unless directed.
When should you seek dental care?
Contact a pediatric clinician for fever, poor feeding, dehydration, unusual sleepiness, or breathing difficulty.
What should you ask the dentist?
Ask which medicine and dose, if any, fits the baby’s age and weight.
Frequently asked questions
Can this have more than one cause?
High fever, repeated vomiting, breathing trouble, or a very unwell baby should not be assumed to be teething.
What is the first practical step?
Gently rub the gum and offer a refrigerator-cooled solid teething ring. Avoid frozen objects, necklaces, and numbing gels unless directed.

