Soothing a Teething Baby in Brampton: What Helps and What to Skip

For some babies, new teeth arrive with barely a fuss. Parents notice a small white edge on the gum one morning and wonder when it happened. For others, the weeks leading up to a tooth seem to involve endless drooling, chewing on everything in sight and nights that feel very long. Both experiences are normal.

Teething is one of the topics parents ask our pharmacists about most often, particularly first-time parents and grandparents who remember different advice from a generation ago. Recommendations about teething products have changed over the years, and some remedies that were once common are now discouraged. This article covers what teething usually looks like, safe comfort options, products to approach with caution, and symptoms that deserve a closer look.

If you would like to talk through anything here, the team at Pharmasave BramNorth on Dewside Drive is glad to help.

When teeth usually arrive

Most babies get their first tooth somewhere around six months of age, though the range is wide. Some babies are born with a tooth, while others do not see their first one until after their first birthday. Both ends of that range can be normal. The lower front teeth often come first, followed by the upper front teeth, with the rest arriving gradually over the next couple of years.

Because the timing varies so much, it is not helpful to compare your baby closely with a cousin or a neighbour’s child. If you have concerns about your baby’s development, including teeth that seem very late, your doctor or a dentist can assess them.

What teething looks like in everyday life

Common signs of teething include:

• Extra drooling, sometimes with a mild rash on the chin or cheeks from constant wetness.
• Chewing or gnawing on hands, toys and anything else within reach.
• Swollen or tender-looking gums where a tooth is about to break through.
• Fussiness and irritability, especially in the days before a tooth appears.
• Some changes to sleep or feeding.

Teething can make a baby uncomfortable and cranky, but it should not make them seriously ill. That distinction is important, and we will return to it below.

Simple comfort measures to try first

Many babies respond well to gentle, low-tech comfort. Before reaching for any product, consider these options:

• Gum massage. With a clean finger, gently rub your baby’s gums. The pressure can feel soothing.
• A chilled teething ring. Choose a solid, one-piece teether. Chill it in the refrigerator, not the freezer, since a frozen teether can be too hard and cold for delicate gums.
• A cool, damp washcloth. Let your baby chew on a clean, damp cloth that has been chilled in the fridge.
• Extra cuddles and distraction. A walk, a new toy or a bath can sometimes shift attention away from sore gums.
• Keeping the skin dry. Wipe drool gently and often, and use a soft bib, to reduce irritation around the mouth and chin.

Always supervise your baby with a teether, and check it regularly for cracks or damage. Teethers that are filled with liquid or gel can leak, and small parts can become choking hazards.

Teething necklaces and bracelets: why to avoid them

Amber necklaces, bead bracelets and similar jewellery are sometimes marketed as teething aids. Health Canada has advised against using teething necklaces and bracelets because of the risk of strangulation and choking. Beads can come loose and be swallowed or inhaled, and a necklace can tighten around a baby’s neck during sleep or play.

There is no reliable evidence that amber beads relieve teething pain. Since the risks are real and the benefits unproven, the safest choice is to skip them altogether, even if they were a gift or are popular among friends.

Gels, tablets and other products: ask first

Pharmacy shelves include a range of teething gels and other products. Some contain numbing ingredients, and several health authorities have raised concerns about using certain numbing products in infants. Homeopathic teething products have also been the subject of safety warnings in the past.

Rather than choosing a product based on packaging or a friend’s recommendation, speak to a pharmacist before using any teething gel, tablet or drop on your baby. We can check the ingredients, explain whether the product is suitable for your baby’s age, and suggest alternatives. Health Canada’s recalls and safety alerts site is also a useful place to check whether a product has been recalled.

If a pain reliever seems necessary for a very unhappy baby, speak with a pharmacist or your doctor first. Children’s doses are based on weight and age, and some products are not suitable for young infants. Never give a medicine that is not labelled for your baby’s age without professional advice.

Symptoms that are probably not teething

It is easy to blame every fussy day on teeth, but teething should not cause significant illness. Health professionals generally agree that teething does not cause:

• A high fever.
• Diarrhea that is frequent or watery.
• Vomiting.
• A runny nose with cough and congestion.
• Refusing all fluids or signs of dehydration.
• A widespread body rash.

If your baby has any of these, look for another cause and contact your doctor. A baby younger than three months with a fever should always be assessed promptly. Our earlier article on managing a child’s fever has more detail on warning signs.

Ear-pulling is another behaviour parents sometimes attribute to teething, and sometimes it is. However, it can also be a sign of an ear infection, especially if your baby also has a fever or seems very unwell. When in doubt, have your baby checked.

Caring for those first teeth

As soon as the first tooth appears, it needs cleaning. Gently wipe or brush it twice a day with a soft, small infant toothbrush. Ask your dentist or pharmacist about the appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste for your child’s age and their risk of tooth decay.

Avoid putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Liquids that pool around teeth during sleep can contribute to early tooth decay. If your baby needs something to suck on to settle, water is the safer choice in a bottle, or offer a feed before laying them down.

The Canadian Dental Association and the Canadian Paediatric Society both encourage a first dental visit within about six months of the first tooth appearing or by the first birthday. Early visits help children get comfortable with the dentist and allow problems to be caught early. The Canadian Paediatric Society’s parent site, Caring for Kids, has further guidance on dental care for young children.

Feeding a baby with sore gums

Teething can change how a baby feeds for a few days. Some babies bite down during breastfeeding or chew on the bottle nipple, while others pull away after a few sucks because the pressure seems uncomfortable. Offering a chilled teether or gently rubbing the gums just before a feed can sometimes take the edge off. If your baby bites while nursing, calmly breaking the latch with a clean finger and pausing for a moment usually helps.

Babies who have started solids may prefer cool, smooth foods appropriate for their age, such as chilled purées, over textures that need more chewing. Mesh or silicone feeders are popular, but always supervise their use and check them for wear. Avoid giving hard foods that could break off into pieces, and never use biscuits or rusks as teething aids for a baby who is not yet ready for them, since they can become choking hazards.

Keep an eye on overall intake. A baby who is a little less interested in solids for a day or two is common during teething. A baby who refuses most feeds, has noticeably fewer wet diapers or seems lethargic needs to be checked by a healthcare provider, because those signs point to something more than a tooth.

Getting through the rough nights

Teething nights can be exhausting, especially if you are returning to work, caring for older children or living with extended family who are also trying to sleep. Some families find it helps to take turns with night duty so each adult gets a stretch of uninterrupted rest. Others adjust the bedtime routine slightly, adding a little extra time for cuddles or a cool teether before sleep.

Try to keep your usual routines as much as possible, so your baby does not form new sleep associations that are hard to break once the tooth has arrived. Most teething discomfort is temporary and improves once the tooth breaks through.

Check in with Pharmasave BramNorth

If you are unsure whether a teething product is suitable, want to talk about pain relief for your baby, or are wondering whether a symptom sounds like teething or something else, our pharmacists are here to listen and help.

Come by Pharmasave BramNorth at 25 & 26 - 2 Dewside Drive, Brampton, ON L6R 3Y5, or give us a call at (905) 792-7333. Store details are on our contact page, and if you would like to arrange a time to talk, visit our booking page. Bring the product you are considering, and we can look at the label together. If drooling has left your baby with irritated skin, or a rash has appeared in the diaper area during a teething spell, ask about our minor ailment services, including diaper rash assessments where appropriate.

This article is meant as general information for parents. It is not a diagnosis, and any concern about your baby’s health should be discussed with a pharmacist, doctor or dentist.