How to help your baby through teething

When your child is getting their teeth through, you might notice they are chewing or gnawing on things more than usual. Toys, such as teething rings, give them something they can chew on safely. These may ease their discomfort and help to keep them distracted from the pain they are experiencing.

There are also some toys that can be chilled in the fridge before use, which could help soothe your baby’s gums. The toy you choose should have instructions that tell if you can chill it and how long for.

If your baby is over six months old, you can try giving them healthy foods to chew on, such as raw fruit and vegetables or a crust of bread or a breadstick. Make sure you stay close while your baby is chewing in case they choke.

You can put teething gels on the sore parts of your baby’s gums to numb the pain. But, it’s best to try other methods such as gently rubbing your baby’s gums or teething toys before you try teething gels.

If you’ve tried the other methods, but your baby is still showing symptoms of discomfort ask our pharmacist about teething gels, which you can only get from a pharmacy. They can give you advice on the best products to help while your child is teething, whether that is products that numb the area to help with pain, or ones that soothe the inflamed gums. Our pharmacists will also help you understand the best way to apply the product and the amount to use.

Ask our pharmacist about one of these teething products to find the best one for your child:

Ashton & Parsons Teething Gel - This gel is intended for the use in your child’s mouth for relieve the discomfort and pain associated with teething. The gel forms an invisible film which helps to protect gums from the pain and discomfort associated with teething.

Dentinox Infant Gum Gel 15g - Detinox Infant Gum Gel is strawberry flavoured, non-medicated, sugar free treatment for babies who are teething and experiencing discomfort. It helps to ease discomfort your baby may be experiencing and aids the prevention and elimination of infections.

Anbesol Teething Gel - Contains an anaesthetic for quick-acting and effective relief of pain. It is also suitable for recurrent mouth ulcers and denture irritation. The formula contains two antiseptics to protect against infection.

Bonjela Soothing Teething Gel 15ml - It’s a fast-acting gel that creates a protective film on your baby’s gums to help relieve pain, discomfort and inflammation.

If your baby is experiencing discomfort when their teeth start to come through, or you just want some advice, visit your local LloydsPharmacy and talk to one of our pharmacists about pain relief and gels you can try. Remember, many teething gels that help numb the pain are only available from a pharmacy.