Teething Signs and Safe Remedies (Australian Guide)

Teething gets blamed for a lot of things it doesn't actually cause. Here's what the Australian Dental Association and Maternal Health Nurses recommend you watch for, what genuinely helps, and which old-school remedies have quietly been pulled from Australian shelves. A clean teether and a calm cuddle covers most teething days. When do baby teeth come through? The first tooth usually appears between 4 and 10 months, though some babies wait until 12 months. Most have eight teeth by their first birthday and a full set of 20 by 2½. Early or late is rarely a concern. Real teething signs Drooling more than usual. Wanting to gnaw on anything toys, fingers, your shoulder . Mildly red or swollen gums. A bit grumpier than normal for 1–3 days around a tooth coming through. Cold, firm and gnawable beats anything from a chemist's shelf. What's NOT teething Teething does not cause high fevers, diarrhoea, vomiting, or a runny nose. If your baby has any of those, look for another cause — likely a virus — and check with your GP if symptoms persist. Safe ways to help Cold not frozen teether. Chill in the fridge, never the freezer. Damp facecloth chilled for 10 minutes. Gentle gum massage with a clean finger. Infant paracetamol per packet dosing for genuine pain — confirm dose with your pharmacist. Extra cuddles. Connection is half the medicine. What to avoid The TGA warns against teething gels containing benzocaine, choline salicylate or lignocaine for infants, and amber teething necklaces are not recommended choking and strangulation risk . Stick to a chilled silicone or wooden teether your baby can hold safely. Keep reading Colic vs teething: telling them apart Dummies: pros, cons & weaning Calm parent script for tough moments All free parenting tools Personalised care plans by a Maternal Health Nurse Frequently asked questions Do all babies get teething pain? No. Around a third of Australian babies cut teeth with no obvious discomfort. Are amber necklaces safe? No. Australian health authorities recommend against them due to choking and strangulation risk. Can teething cause a fever? No. A temperature over 38°C is not teething and warrants a GP review. How long does teething last per tooth? Usually 1–3 days of mild discomfort as the tooth breaks through. When should I start brushing? From the first tooth, with a soft baby brush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste — per Aust…