Teething: What Parents Should Know About Soothing Sore Gums and Protecting New Smiles

At Campbell Pediatric Dentistry, we know firsthand that teething can be a challenging season for both children and parents. It’s a big developmental step—your baby’s first teeth are coming in! But along with those tiny teeth often comes discomfort, drooling, and a fair amount of frustration.

As pediatric dental specialists in Campbell CA and Los Gatos CA, we’re here to help you understand what’s normal, what’s not, and how to make teething easier on your little one (and yourself).

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What Exactly Is Teething?

Teething is the process of primary (baby) teeth erupting through the gums—usually starting around 6 months and continuing through age 3. Some kids breeze through it with minimal fuss, while others may show signs of discomfort with every new tooth. By age three, most children have a complete set of 20 baby teeth.

Knowing the typical tooth eruption timeline can help you better predict when teething symptoms will appear and how to prepare for them.

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Teething Symptoms: What’s True and What’s a Myth?

It’s common to hear that teething causes fevers, diarrhea, or even ear infections—but is that really true?

Common (and Normal) Teething Signs:

• Increased drooling
• Swollen or tender gums
• Fussiness or irritability
• Desire to chew or gnaw
• Mild sleep disturbances

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What Teething Doesn’t Cause:

Despite what you may hear, high fever, diarrhea, vomiting, or ear infections are not directly caused by teething. Studies published in leading pediatric journals confirm that severe symptoms often attributed to teething are more likely caused by unrelated illnesses—especially as babies begin daycare, crawl, and interact with their environment.

If your child develops a high fever or persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, it’s best to consult your pediatrician to rule out a true illness.

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How to Safely Relieve Teething Discomfort

While you can’t stop teeth from erupting, you can make the process more comfortable. Here are tried-and-true methods to ease your baby’s teething discomfort:

• Offer a cold teething ring or chilled washcloth (never frozen)
• Wipe drool often to prevent skin irritation
• Massage the gums gently with a clean finger or piece of damp gauze
• Use infant-safe pain relief such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen (follow dosing instructions based on age and weight)
• Avoid over-the-counter numbing gels like Anbesol or Orajel that contain benzocaine—this ingredient can be dangerous and has been linked to a rare condition that reduces oxygen in the bloodstream.

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Caring for Brand-New Baby Teeth

As soon as your child’s first tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a tiny smear (rice grain-sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste. This not only keeps their mouth clean but also helps soothe sore gums.

It’s also the perfect time to schedule your child’s first dental visit. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends seeing a pediatric dentist by your baby’s first birthday—or within six months of their first tooth erupting.

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Dentist or Pediatrician? Knowing Who to Call

Wondering whether to call your pediatric dentist or your child’s doctor? Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Call your pediatric dentist for: swollen gums, early tooth eruption, prolonged fussiness related to chewing, or oral hygiene questions
• Call your pediatrician for: high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, or other symptoms unrelated to the gums or teeth

When in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always happy to point you in the right direction.

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Let Us Help Make Teething Easier

Teething may be a bumpy road, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Campbell Pediatric Dentistry, we’re here to guide you through every stage of your child’s dental development. From that very first tooth to their very first cleaning, our team provides compassionate, evidence-based care to keep your child’s smile healthy from the start.

Need guidance or want to schedule your child’s first dental visit? Contact us today and take the first step toward a lifetime of confident, healthy smiles.