Teething gel for babies: what to use and what to avoid
A teething gel for babies can ease sore gums for a little while, but it is not the first thing to try or the most effective. A teething gel is a topical gel applied over the gum to calm discomfort when a tooth is about to come through. Before reaching for it, cold, gentle pressure and a good teether usually work better. In addition, anesthetic gels are not recommended for teething.
- In short
- What you can apply to your baby's gums
- Teething gel for babies at the pharmacy: what you will find
- Which toothpaste to use from 0 to 2 years
- At what age gums start to itch
- Buying what you need for the first teeth without filling the house
- Anesthetic gels for teething: precautions and alternatives
- Frequently asked questions
In short
- What soothes most: massaging with a clean finger, refrigerated teethers (from the fridge, not the freezer) and fresh, damp gauze.
- Avoid gels with benzocaine or lidocaine unless the pediatrician expressly recommends them.
- From the first tooth, use fluoride toothpaste at 1,000 ppm in an amount the size of a grain of rice, twice a day.
- The first tooth usually appears around 6 months, and the discomfort can start several weeks earlier.
What you can apply to your baby’s gums
The safest and most effective option is pressure and cold: your clean finger, a refrigerated teether or a damp, fresh gauze. If you then add a gel, choose one without anesthetic and apply only a very thin layer.
Finger massage: the most underrated remedy
Cold, preferably from the fridge rather than the freezer
A solid silicone teether that has spent some time in the fridge numbs the area naturally. A frozen, hard object, on the other hand, can irritate the gum even more. A clean gauze, dampened and chilled in the fridge, also works very well, and it lets your baby chew without effort.
Consider a very common situation: a five-month-old baby who drools constantly, chews on his fists and has one red cheek. Many families try a pharmacy gel first, but the relief often lasts only a short time. Offering a cold teether before nap time can help the afternoons go more smoothly. If you are unsure what to use, check with your pediatrician.
Non-anesthetic soothing gels
Gels with aloe vera, chamomile or hyaluronic acid form a film that softens the gum. Their effect is moderate and short-lived, but they can be useful for a one-off moment, such as the night a tooth is about to break through. Do not expect miracles from them.
Teething gel for babies at the pharmacy: what you will find
When you ask for a teething gel for babies, you will see three main groups. On one side, gels with a local anesthetic (benzocaine or lidocaine). On another, gels without anesthetic, based on plant extracts or hyaluronic acid. You will also find teethers, silicone finger brushes and first-tooth toothbrushes. Ask the pharmacist to show you the composition and read the whole leaflet, because the brand name does not always reveal what it contains.
Which toothpaste to use from 0 to 2 years
From the moment the first tooth appears, the recommendation is a fluoride toothpaste at 1,000 ppm, in an amount the size of a grain of rice, twice a day. This is what European and Spanish pediatric dentistry guidelines set out, although it is worth confirming at the first check-up with the pediatric dentist.
Before any tooth comes through, it is enough to wipe the gums with a damp gauze after the last feed. There is no need to rinse after brushing, because the fluoride left behind protects the enamel. On the other hand, “fluoride-free” baby toothpastes do not prevent cavities, so there is no point paying extra for them thinking they are safer.
From a Montessori perspective, brushing is also an opportunity for independence. Around 12 to 15 months, let your child hold his own toothbrush and try it in front of a low mirror. Afterwards, you go over it yourself. He feels he is taking part, and you make sure the teeth are clean.
At what age gums start to itch
Gums usually begin to itch between 4 and 7 months, often several weeks before the first tooth is visible. Typically, a lower incisor comes out first, around 6 months. However, some babies start at 3 months and others have no teeth at their first birthday, and both cases are normal.
The typical signs are heavy drooling, wanting to bite everything, rubbing the ear on the same side and sleeping worse. The temperature may even rise a little. High fever, severe diarrhea or marked lethargy, however, are not caused by teeth: in those cases, call the pediatrician.
The molars are often the hardest stage. It is common for night waking to increase when the first molars come through, around 14 months. It can help to bring dinner forward slightly, offer a cold teether before the bath and keep the sleep routine unchanged. Every baby has their own pace and, if the discomfort persists, the best step is to discuss it with the pediatrician.
Buying what you need for the first teeth without filling the house
For teething you need only a few things, chosen well. This is the list that is actually used:
- One or two teethers made of natural rubber or solid silicone, with no liquid inside.
- A silicone finger brush to massage the gum and, later, to clean the first teeth.
- A small-head toothbrush with soft bristles.
- Fluoride toothpaste at 1,000 ppm.
- Several bibs or cotton cloths to wipe away drool and prevent chin irritation.
- Optional: a non-anesthetic soothing gel for occasional nights.
What to avoid: amber necklaces, which pediatricians usually advise against because of the risk of choking and strangulation, and gel-filled teethers, which can break under new teeth. If in doubt, check with your pediatrician.
At home you can offer things to bite in a very simple way, in the Montessori style: leave two or three teethers with different textures in a basket, within the baby’s reach, and watch which one he chooses. The baby knows better than anyone what soothes him.
Anesthetic gels for teething: precautions and alternatives
Gels with benzocaine or lidocaine are not recommended to relieve teething. Saliva washes them away within minutes, they can numb the throat and make it harder for the baby to swallow properly, and rare but serious side effects have been described. For this reason they should only be used if the pediatrician advises it.
If the discomfort is intense and does not improve with cold and pressure, talk to the pediatrician. They will assess whether an analgesic is needed and how much, based on your child’s weight. Never work out the dose yourself or use adult medicines.
The mistake of applying teething gel every time the baby cries
This is the most common error. The baby cries, gel is applied, he calms down for a moment and half an hour later he is crying again. By the end of the day he has had six or seven applications with no real improvement. This happens because crying is not always caused by a tooth: it can also be tiredness, hunger or the need to be held.
The solution is to limit teething gel to one or two applications a day at most, and always without anesthetic. Before each application, try the cold teether and gentle contact. Very often that is enough.
Pacifiers dipped in honey or sugar: a remedy that does harm
Dipping a pacifier in honey or sugar soothes for a moment, but it promotes cavities just when the enamel is most fragile. Moreover, pediatricians do not recommend honey before 12 months. A clean, cold pacifier is better.
Frequently asked questions
What can I apply to my baby’s gums?
You can gently massage your baby’s gums with a clean finger, offer a cold teether taken from the fridge or use a damp, fresh gauze, because these relieve the pressure of the tooth without adding risks. If you want to use a gel, choose one without anesthetic and keep it for occasional moments. If in doubt, check with your pediatrician.
What teething remedy for babies can I find at Farmacias Similares?
Farmacias Similares is a Mexican chain with no stores in Spain, but in any Spanish pharmacy you will find equivalent soothing products: non-anesthetic gels with aloe vera, chamomile or hyaluronic acid, as well as teethers and silicone finger brushes. Ask the pharmacist to check the composition and avoid benzocaine or lidocaine without the pediatrician’s recommendation.
Which toothpaste is suitable for children from 0 to 2 years old?
For children from 0 to 2 years, a fluoride toothpaste at 1,000 ppm is recommended from the moment the first tooth appears, in an amount the size of a grain of rice, twice a day. Before that first tooth, it is enough to clean the gums with a damp gauze. Confirm this at the check-up with the pediatric dentist.
At what age do gums usually start to itch?
Gums usually begin to itch between 4 and 7 months, often a few weeks before the first tooth comes through, which is usually a lower incisor. Some babies notice it at 3 months and others only after their first year. Both cases are normal, although it is worth mentioning it at the pediatric check-up.
This week, keep a silicone teether in the fridge, put the anesthetic gel away from the medicine cabinet and note the times of day when your baby is most uncomfortable: that observation is worth more than any product. If you are looking for a bilingual Montessori environment that supports these stages calmly in Sotogrande, book a personalised visit to the school.
