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When your baby is unsettled, drooling more than usual or chewing on everything in sight, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s “just teething” or something that needs a closer look. Teething is a normal part of your child’s development, and most of the time it’s mild and settles on its own. But every now and then, symptoms can point to something else entirely — and knowing the difference can help you feel confident about what to do next. This guide walks through what typical teething usually looks like, what’s outside the ordinary, and when it’s worth getting your little one checked.

What typical teething usually looks like

Teething is generally a mild, temporary process as your baby’s first teeth make their way through the gum. Common signs parents report include:

• Increased drooling
• Rubbing, gnawing or chewing on toys, fingers or other objects
• Mild irritability or a bit more clinginess than usual
• Slightly disrupted sleep for a few nights
• Red or slightly puffy gums in the area where a tooth is coming through

Some parents also notice their baby feels a little warmer than usual during teething. This is commonly reported, but it isn’t a reliable sign of teething on its own and shouldn’t be relied on to explain a genuine fever. If your baby has a true fever, teething is unlikely to be the cause, and it’s worth reading on below.

Teething symptoms are usually manageable at home and settle within a few days as the tooth comes through. If your baby seems otherwise well — feeding, sleeping and behaving mostly as usual, just a little more unsettled — this is generally consistent with ordinary teething.

Signs that are not typical teething

Some symptoms fall outside what’s expected with normal teething and are worth a dental check, a call to your GP, or medical attention, depending on what you’re seeing. These include:

• A true fever. A temperature that’s clearly elevated — not just slightly warm gums or cheeks — is not a normal part of teething. If you’re ever concerned about a fever in your baby, contact your GP or a medical service for advice.
• Unusual facial or gum swelling. Puffiness that looks more pronounced than typical gum swelling around an emerging tooth, or swelling of the face or jaw.
• A tooth that looks discoloured or visibly damaged. For example, a tooth coming through with an unusual colour, or one that appears chipped, cracked or otherwise not as expected.
• Persistent crying or distress that doesn’t settle. If your baby remains very unsettled despite your usual comfort measures, this is worth having checked.
• Refusing to eat or drink for an extended period. Ongoing refusal, rather than just being a little fussier than normal at mealtimes.
• Any sign of infection, such as pus, a bad smell, or a gum area that looks increasingly inflamed rather than settling.

None of these signs are things you need to diagnose yourself. If you notice any of them, it’s simply a good reason to get your baby checked — by Tooth Town for anything dental-related, or by your GP or a medical service if you’re concerned about their general health, such as a genuine fever.

Comfort measures for ordinary teething

For everyday teething discomfort, simple, safe comfort measures at home are usually enough:

• A clean, cool teething ring for your baby to chew on
• A clean, cold washcloth for gentle chewing
• Gently massaging your baby’s gums with a clean finger

If you’re considering pain relief medication for your child, please check with your pharmacist or GP for advice on what’s appropriate and how much to give, rather than guessing based on general information. They’ll be able to advise on what’s suitable for your baby’s age and weight.

When it’s fine to just ask us

If you’re not sure whether what you’re seeing is ordinary teething or something worth a closer look, you don’t need to work it out on your own. It’s always fine to call Tooth Town and describe what you’re noticing, or to book a check-up so we can take a look. We would much rather see your baby for a reassuring check than have you wondering at home.

Frequently asked questions

At what age does teething usually start?

Teething timing varies quite a bit from baby to baby. If you have questions about your child’s individual timing or development, our team is happy to talk it through at an appointment.

Can teething cause a high fever?

A genuine fever is not considered a normal part of teething. Some parents notice their baby feels slightly warmer during teething, but this shouldn’t be relied on to explain an actual fever. If your baby has a temperature that’s clearly elevated, contact your GP or a medical service for advice.

Is it safe to let my baby chew on a teething ring?

A clean, cool teething ring is a commonly used comfort measure for teething. If you have questions about what’s suitable for your baby, our team or your GP can offer guidance.

My baby’s gum looks swollen and red — is that normal?

Mild redness or puffiness around an emerging tooth can be a normal part of teething. However, swelling that looks more significant, spreads to the face, or doesn’t settle is worth having checked by our team.

Should I use a teething gel?

We’d recommend checking with your pharmacist or GP before using any product on your baby’s gums, so they can advise on what’s appropriate. Our team can also talk through comfort options at an appointment.

What if I’m just not sure whether it’s teething?

That’s completely understandable, and it’s exactly the kind of thing our team is happy to help with. You’re welcome to call us to describe what you’re noticing, or book a check-up so we can take a proper look.

What to do next

If your baby is unsettled and you’re unsure whether it’s ordinary teething or something that needs a closer look, our team is here to help you work it out. Book an appointment and we’ll check your baby gently and let you know what — if anything — needs to happen next. If you’re worried about a genuine fever or your child’s general health, please contact your GP or a medical service.

This guide is general information and doesn’t replace an individual assessment. Your child’s clinician will confirm what’s most appropriate for them after examination.

Related service at Tooth Town: Infant Oral Health Exams

If you’ve lain awake listening to your toddler grinding their teeth in the next room, you’re not alone — and it’s one of the most common things parents ask us about at check-ups. The sound can be unsettling, especially in the quiet of the night, but the reassuring news is that teeth grinding (known as bruxism) is very common in young children and most little ones simply grow out of it. Here’s what’s actually going on, and what’s worth keeping an eye on.

Teeth grinding in toddlers is very common

Grinding or clenching during sleep is something many toddlers and young children do, often without ever being aware of it themselves. It tends to happen during sleep rather than while your child is awake, and for most families it comes and goes over time as your child grows. Because it’s raised so often at check-ups, please don’t feel like you’re overreacting by asking about it — it’s a completely normal question to have.

Why does it happen?

There isn’t one single, definite explanation for why young children grind their teeth, and it can vary from child to child. Some of the things that may play a part include:

• A bite that’s still settling. As baby teeth come through and your child’s jaw and bite continue to develop, some grinding can simply be part of that process working itself out.
• The different stages of sleep. Bruxism in young children is often linked to normal sleep patterns, rather than anything happening during the day.
• Airway-related factors. Grinding can sometimes be connected to how a child is breathing during sleep. All of the general dentists consulting at Tooth Town are well versed in screening for airway-related signs as part of a regular examination, alongside everything else we assess — it’s simply one of the things we keep in mind, not something you need to work out yourself at home.

We deliberately haven’t listed stress or anxiety as a typical cause here — while it’s sometimes raised as a possibility for older children or adults, it isn’t usually the main explanation in toddlers, and we don’t want you worrying unnecessarily about your child’s emotional wellbeing because of a grinding habit. If you do have any concerns about how your child is feeling more generally, that’s always worth mentioning to us or your GP separately.

What’s worth mentioning at your child’s next check-up

Most toddler teeth grinding doesn’t cause any lasting problems and doesn’t need treatment. That said, there are a few things worth simply flagging next time you see us — not to self-diagnose, but so we can take a look and reassure you either way:

• Visible wear or flattening on your child’s teeth
• Your child complaining of a sore jaw or headaches, particularly in the morning
• Grinding that seems to be getting noticeably louder, more frequent or more intense over time
• Snoring, noisy or mouth breathing, or noticeably restless sleep alongside the grinding

Noticing one of these doesn’t mean something is wrong — it just gives us useful information to check at your child’s regular visit. As part of every check-up, all of the general dentists consulting at Tooth Town look at the fuller picture, including airway-related signs, so you don’t need to try to piece this together on your own.

What you need to do at home

For most families, the answer is reassuringly simple: nothing specific. There’s no home remedy or routine change we’d recommend based on grinding alone, and most children stop as they grow, their bite settles and their sleep patterns mature. Regular check-ups are the best way to keep an eye on your child’s teeth, bite and broader development over time, so any concerns — including anything airway-related — can be picked up early and calmly.

Frequently asked questions

Is teeth grinding bad for my toddler’s teeth?

In most cases, no lasting harm comes from it. Baby teeth are also naturally due to be replaced by adult teeth over time. If we do notice signs of wear at a check-up, we’ll talk you through what, if anything, is worth doing.

Should I wake my child up when I hear them grinding?

There’s no need to wake your child or intervene during the night. Grinding during sleep isn’t something they can control, and waking them isn’t necessary.

Does my toddler need a mouthguard or night splint?

Not routinely, and it isn’t something we’d suggest as a default for toddlers. If grinding is causing visible wear or is a genuine concern, your child’s clinician can discuss appropriate options with you at an examination, based on what they see.

Will my child grow out of it?

Most children do reduce or stop grinding as they get older, though timing varies from child to child. There’s no need to put a timeframe on it — we’re simply here to check in along the way.

Could grinding be linked to something else going on with my child, like breathing or airway concerns?

It’s possible, and it’s not usually cause for alarm. Grinding can sometimes be connected to how a child is breathing during sleep, which is exactly why all of the general dentists consulting at Tooth Town routinely screen for airway-related signs as part of every examination. Rather than trying to work this out yourself, the best approach is to mention anything you’ve noticed — like snoring or restless sleep — at your child’s regular check-up so it can be looked at in context with everything else.

When should I contact Tooth Town rather than waiting for the next check-up?

If your child develops ongoing jaw pain, headaches, or you notice sudden or significant wear on their teeth, it’s worth giving us a call so we can have a look sooner rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit.

What to do next

If your toddler grinds their teeth at night, in most cases there’s nothing you need to do right now — just mention it at their next regular check-up so we can take a quick look, including at any airway-related factors. If you’ve noticed visible wear, jaw soreness, snoring, restless sleep, or grinding that seems to be getting more intense, we’re happy to bring your child’s appointment forward. Book an appointment and our team will check in with you and your child, gently and without fuss.

This guide is general information and doesn’t replace an individual assessment. Your child’s clinician will confirm what’s most appropriate for them after examination.

Related service at Tooth Town: General Dentistry