Effective Teething Remedies: Natural, homemade or medical

Author Name: Heidi Holvoet, PhD
Medical fact-check: Dr Leah Alexander, M.D., F.A.A.P.

Effective teething remedies soothe baby teething pain fast and also have a lasting effect.

That's what you need to keep her sleeping well at night. There are a couple of home made remedies that are really good. They are not expensive at all and often more reliable (and lasting) than the medical ones. Sometimes a medical solution like teething gel/granules or plain Tylenol can be necessary to complement.

Let's examine how and when to use each category: natural or homemade ones which involve no pills or syrup at all, and then medical remedies.

As a general rule, I always recommend to try natural solutions first. Do them correctly and consistently for lasting results. Then if still necessary, complement with a medical solution. Speak to your doctor and/or pharmacist before trying a medical solution.

Natural and homemade teething remedies

Non-medical teething pain relief methods work through massaging the gums or by cooling - which un-swells and effectively reduces the uncomfortable sensation.

Home made remedies refers to something you can do with things you usually have around at home.

Effective teething pain relief methods you can use:

1. Gum massage with a finger toothbrush

Gently massage your baby's gums with a soft fingertip baby toothbrush /gum massager.

They are like plastic little fingers and specifically designed to massage the gums.

Most babies really enjoy this massage , especially because it really eases the pain.

Once the first teeth have arrived, the finger toothbrush is also great to brush.

2. A plain teething ring, or bite ring

A baby with teeth coming up has the urge to chew or bite all the time. That is because it really helps to soothe the pain. It works exactly like the gum massage - only it is 'self-service'.

There are endless options of course - the Sophie the Giraffe Teether is a huge classic hit - can do but please mind the following safety guidelines :

• A safe chewing toy must not contain any toxic substances that may be released when biting or chewing. No small parts that can be torn or bitten off.
• Carefully read the manufacturer's instructions regarding washing and sterilizing. Do not sterilize the ring if not explicitly mentioned.
• Do not use a ribbon or other to attach the ring to baby's clothes to avoid baby getting entangled.

3. A cold cloth

Use a cold thin washing cloth either inside baby's mouth to massage the gums or place it on the cheek. Both of these methods soothe the pain.

To cool the washing cloth, wring it out in cold running water or put it in the refrigerator for a while. Alternatively, tightly (!) wrap an ice cube in a thin washing cloth.

In all cases, remember to wash the cloth thoroughly after each use.

4. Cold food

If your baby has the appropriate age, i.e. is on solids, cold foods can be good remedies too. The numbing effect helps for the pain, and you can make healthy treats that baby will love!

You can try cooling any type of fruit or veg that your baby eats and likes: it can be banana, pear, apple, carrot, etc. or also a chilled fruit mash.

If your little one can safely lick a Popsicle, you can make a healthy one yourself with freshly squeezed juice in small Popsicle moulds. Or put a little Popsicle stick in her favorite baby yogurt, then freeze.

5. A cold chewing ring

A cold teething ring can be any chewing toy that you cool in the refrigerator, as long as it's safe to do so (not all materials are suited).

Some are actually a liquid filled cold-pack type and remain cold for longer, like the Nuby Icybite Teething Keys .

The cold has a numbing effect which is of course what helps soothe the pain.

The safety guidelines are as above but be extra careful about the liquid filled part:

• Unless the manufacturer explicitly mentions freezing, do not freeze, only refrigerate.
  
  Freezing the ring could cause cracks and make the liquid burst.
  
  Besides even it is allowed, straight from the freezer is often too cold for baby, so refrigerating is usually best anyway.
• Frequently check for tiny cracks as you do not want the liquid to spill. No too much worries though, dedicated cold rings are made of very thick plastic.

But don't be put off by these simple precautions, these cooled rings are very efficient!! And fun ..

Medical remedies

Obviously, avoid medical teething remedies if you can. But if none of the above natural remedies sufficiently relieve, consult your doctor or pharmacist. They can tell you what you can safely use for your baby.

1. Gel

A good teething gel has a double action: it combines a local anesthetic with an antiseptic to both numb and disinfect.

Teething gel is not suited for all babies and not all teething gels are safe - that's why you need to be careful and always consult with a doctor before using any gel .

But if your baby can have it, and reacts well to it, the gel can be very effective.

Warning. Some teething gels contain harmful ingredients that you have to avoid no matter what. Teething gels containing Benzocaine (a local anesthetic) are no longer recommended as it has been associated with infant death. Please review this FDA warning against OTC benzocaine teething products . Belladona has been a common ingredient in homeopathic teething gels and tablets until 2018 when some manufacturers began removing it. It can cause anti-cholinergic effects so avoid anything that contains it. More on Belladonna in teething products . Also look out for, and avoid, any teething product that contains Caffeine as some do - it is then sometimes shown as "Caffea" in the ingredient list.

2. Painkillers

Always consult your doctor for safe use of painkillers such as calpol or ibuprofen. They can help soothe the worst of teething pains if used sporadically and in a well-timed manner. Regardless of all other precautions, Dr Alexander advises that ibuprofen should not be given under 6 months old.

Please beware of homepoathic tablets and gels, there is an FDA warning against them due a risk of harmful side effects.

Even if one or several of all these teething remedies may help relieve your child's pain, there is still a good chance that some discomfort remains. And that her sleep will be disrupted for a while ...

The golden rule is to relieve the pain maximally and at the same time keep up the good habits of regularity, bedtime routine, ... which will keep you on track as closely as possible. More details on how to keep sleeping well even when teeth are cutting .