TL;DR:
- Natural remedies for teething include cold objects, gum massage, and edible options, which are safe and effective. Some products like benzocaine gels, essential oils, and teething necklaces carry serious risks and should be avoided. The safest approaches are simple, such as chilled teethers, gum massage, and supervision of food-based solutions from six months onward.
Natural remedies for teething are safe, gentle methods that soothe infants’ gum pain without medicated gels or synthetic products. These include cold objects, gum massage, and age-appropriate edible options. The Cleveland Clinic confirms that teething fussiness peaks just before a tooth erupts and typically lasts 3–4 days per tooth. That is a short but intense window, and knowing what actually works makes all the difference.
What are the best natural remedies for teething?
The most effective home remedies for teething fall into three categories: cold relief, physical pressure, and edible options. Each works differently, and combining them gives you the most flexibility throughout the day.
Cold objects that soothe gum pressure
Cold is the most reliable natural teething solution available. A chilled, damp flannel pressed against the gums provides immediate comfort. Refrigerated teething rings cool the gums safely, reducing inflammation without any risk of chemical exposure. The key word is chilled, not frozen. Frozen objects become too hard and can bruise delicate gum tissue.
Solid silicone or rubber teethers are the safest tool for this job. They hold their shape, do not leak, and are easy to clean. Chilled pacifiers work well for younger infants who are not yet ready for a teether ring.
Gentle gum massage
Gum massage with a clean finger is the simplest teething discomfort remedy recommended by health organisations including the NHS. The counter-pressure from your fingertip directly relieves the pressure building under the gum. Wash your hands thoroughly first, then use a slow, circular motion for 1–2 minutes. Most babies settle quickly with this method.
Edible options for babies over six months
Once your baby is on solids, food becomes a useful tool. Infants over six months can safely chew on chilled soft fruit such as banana or mango placed inside a mesh feeder. The mesh prevents large pieces from breaking off, reducing choking risk. This approach also introduces your baby to new flavours, which supports healthy eating habits alongside teething relief. You can find guidance on safe food introduction to know exactly which fruits are appropriate at each stage.
- Chilled damp flannel pressed to the gums
- Refrigerated solid silicone or rubber teether
- Chilled pacifier for younger infants
- Mesh feeder with cold soft fruit (6 months and over)
- Clean finger gum massage
Pro Tip: Always supervise your baby when using a mesh feeder or any edible teething remedy. Step away only once the feeder is safely removed.
Which natural teething remedies are unsafe?
Not every remedy labelled “natural” is safe for infants. Several popular options carry serious risks that first-time parents need to know before reaching for them.
Benzocaine gels
Benzocaine-based teething gels are banned for children under two years old. The FDA warns against benzocaine for this age group due to the risk of methemoglobinemia, a condition that reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. This is a medical emergency, not a minor side effect. No teething gel containing benzocaine belongs in a baby’s mouth.
Essential oils
Essential oils are frequently marketed as natural teething aids, but the risks are real and serious. Undiluted clove oil causes chemical burns and systemic toxicity in infants, even though dentists use eugenol (its active compound) safely in adults at controlled doses. Menthol from peppermint oil can trigger apnoea in babies. Neither should be applied to a baby’s gums under any circumstances.
Teething necklaces
Teething necklaces carry strangulation and choking risks and are strongly discouraged by medical experts including the NCT. Amber, silicone, and wooden bead necklaces all pose the same hazard. A bead can break free and become a choking hazard within seconds. No teething benefit justifies that risk.
Liquid-filled teethers and homeopathic tablets
Liquid-filled teethers can puncture and leak unsafe fluids directly into your baby’s mouth. Solid silicone teethers are always the safer choice. Homeopathic teething tablets present a separate concern. The FDA has issued recalls for homeopathic teething products containing belladonna, a toxic substance. No strong evidence supports their effectiveness, and the safety record is poor.
Safety note: If a teething product is not recommended by the NHS, the NCT, or the Cleveland Clinic, treat it with caution regardless of how it is marketed.
How do natural teething remedies compare?
The table below compares the most common soothing teething methods on four practical criteria: relief effectiveness, safety, ease of use, and age suitability.
| Remedy | Relief Effectiveness | Safety | Ease of Use | Age Suitability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chilled solid teether | High | Very safe | Easy | 3 months and over |
| Gum massage (clean finger) | High | Very safe | Easy | All ages |
| Cold damp flannel | Moderate | Very safe | Easy | All ages |
| Mesh feeder with chilled fruit | High | Safe with supervision | Moderate | 6 months and over |
| Chilled pacifier | Moderate | Safe | Easy | 0–6 months |
| Liquid-filled teether | Low | Unsafe | Easy | Not recommended |
| Teething necklace | None | Unsafe | Easy | Not recommended |
| Benzocaine gel | Moderate | Unsafe under 2 years | Easy | Not recommended |
The pattern is clear. The safest options are also the simplest. Cold objects and gum massage require no products beyond what most households already have. Food-based remedies add variety for older babies but require supervision. Anything that promises quick relief through a chemical or wearable product is almost always the riskiest choice.
Pro Tip: Rotate between a chilled teether and gum massage throughout the day. Variety prevents your baby from becoming overly reliant on one method and keeps the relief feeling fresh.
How to apply natural teething remedies safely
Knowing which remedies work is only half the task. Applying them correctly and at the right developmental stage is what keeps your baby safe.
- Wash your hands before every gum massage. Bacteria transfer easily from hands to gums. This step takes ten seconds and prevents infection.
- Chill teethers in the fridge, not the freezer. A refrigerator temperature is cold enough to soothe without hardening the teether to a damaging firmness.
- Introduce edible remedies only after six months. Before solids are established, stick to cold objects and massage. Read up on safe baby food options to understand which foods are developmentally appropriate.
- Watch for warning signs. A fever over 38°C is not caused by teething. If your baby has a high temperature, prolonged crying, or refuses feeds, consult your GP. Teething causes mild discomfort, not illness.
- Build a consistent bedtime routine. Teething pain often worsens at night. A predictable routine of bath, gum massage, and quiet feeding helps your baby settle despite the discomfort.
- Start oral hygiene early. Brush with a soft brush and water as soon as the first tooth appears. Schedule a dentist visit at this point too. Good habits formed now protect teeth for years.
Understanding the difference between gagging and choking is also worth your time if you are using mesh feeders. The gagging versus choking distinction is something every parent offering solid foods should know before starting.
Pro Tip: Keep a teether in the fridge at all times during the teething phase. When discomfort strikes, you will have a ready solution without any preparation.
Key takeaways
The safest and most effective natural teething remedies are cold objects, gum massage, and supervised edible options introduced after six months.
| Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Cold is the most reliable remedy | Refrigerated solid teethers and chilled flannels soothe gum pressure safely at any age. |
| Gum massage needs clean hands | A clean finger pressed in circular motions relieves pressure directly and requires no products. |
| Edible remedies suit older babies | Mesh feeders with chilled soft fruit are safe from six months with close supervision. |
| “Natural” does not mean safe | Clove oil, teething necklaces, and homeopathic tablets all carry documented risks for infants. |
| Fever is not a teething symptom | A temperature over 38°C signals infection, not teething, and requires medical attention. |
What i have learnt after watching hundreds of parents navigate teething
Most first-time parents arrive at teething with two fears: that they are not doing enough, and that they might accidentally harm their baby. Both are understandable. Neither is usually justified.
The parents I see struggle most are the ones who reach for the most marketed solution rather than the simplest one. A chilled flannel and two minutes of gum massage will outperform most products on the shelf. The evidence for cold and pressure is solid. The evidence for amber necklaces, clove oil, and homeopathic tablets is not.
What I find genuinely reassuring is how short the acute phase actually is. Teething fussiness rarely exceeds 3–4 days per tooth. That is manageable. The difficulty is that parents often do not know this, so a bad night feels like the start of something endless.
My honest advice is to keep it simple, stay consistent, and adapt to your baby. Some infants respond brilliantly to a teether. Others only settle with gum massage. A few want both. There is no universal answer, but there is a clear safety line. Stay on the right side of it by sticking to methods endorsed by the NHS, the NCT, and the Cleveland Clinic. Everything else is noise.
— Arjit
Naturessoulshop’s range for natural baby care
Choosing natural remedies for your baby does not stop at teething. It extends to every product that touches their mouth, skin, and plate.
Naturessoulshop stocks a curated range of organic baby foods, natural oral care products, and clean-ingredient groceries designed with infant safety in mind. From early porridge mixes that can be served chilled to soothe teething gums, to natural toothpaste free from fluoride, glycerin, and artificial colours, every product is chosen for what it does not contain as much as what it does. Explore the full range at Naturessoulshop and find products that align with the same natural, evidence-backed approach you are already taking with your baby’s teething care.
FAQ
What is the safest natural remedy for teething?
Gum massage with a clean finger and a refrigerated solid silicone teether are the safest options. Both are recommended by the NHS and the Cleveland Clinic with no associated risks when used correctly.
When can i use food to soothe my teething baby?
Chilled soft fruit in a mesh feeder is safe from around six months, once solids have been introduced. Always supervise your baby when using any edible teething remedy.
Does teething cause fever?
Teething does not cause a significant fever. A temperature over 38°C indicates infection and requires a GP consultation, not a teething remedy.
Are amber teething necklaces safe?
Amber teething necklaces are not safe. The NCT and medical experts warn against them due to strangulation and choking risks. No evidence supports their effectiveness either.
Can i use clove oil on my baby’s gums?
Clove oil is not safe for infants. Undiluted eugenol causes chemical burns and systemic toxicity in babies. Stick to cold objects and gum massage instead.
