Orajel instant relief for teething pain
Teething discomfort usually comes from pressure and inflammation as a primary tooth moves through the gum, not from a cavity.
The short answer
For a teething infant, gentle gum massage and a chilled, solid teething ring can help; topical oral numbing gels are not a first choice because an infant can swallow them and some ingredients can cause serious reactions. Never use an adult dental gel unless a child’s clinician has specifically advised it.
Why can tooth eruption cause pressure and drooling?
Teething occurs as the crown of a primary tooth moves through the gum, causing local pressure, tenderness, drooling, and a desire to chew. It should not be used to explain high fever, breathing trouble, marked lethargy, or a child who appears seriously unwell.
How can you soothe an infant’s gum safely?
Wash your hands, massage the gum with a clean finger, and offer a chilled but not frozen solid teething ring. Wipe drool from the skin, and ask a paediatric clinician about the correct medicine and dose if discomfort affects feeding or sleep.
Which symptoms need medical advice during teething?
Seek medical advice for high fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, breathing difficulty, unusual sleepiness, poor fluid intake, or symptoms that do not fit ordinary teething. A dentist or child clinician should assess a swollen gum, injury, tooth discoloration, or pain in an older child.
What should you ask before using pain relief?
Ask whether the gum changes match tooth eruption, whether a visible lesion needs examination, and which pain-relief options suit the child’s age and medical history. Ask how to clean the first erupted teeth and when the child should have a dental visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can teething cause a high fever?
A high fever or a child who seems significantly unwell needs medical assessment rather than being attributed to teething.
When should brushing begin?
Begin cleaning the first erupted tooth with an age-appropriate soft brush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste as advised locally.
Who wrote this page
This library is published by Dental Nation, a licensed dental group practising in the United Arab Emirates. Pages are written and overseen by the same clinical team that treats patients in our clinics, and are held to a fixed editorial standard for safety and accuracy.
This page is patient education, not medical advice, and cannot replace an examination. Anything urgent — facial swelling, trauma, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain — needs a dentist or emergency care now.