How Can You Help Your Teething Child Sleep?
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Ray Klein, DDS on July 28, 2026
Your toddler finally went down for bed, and 20 minutes later, they’re up again, fussing and miserable. A new tooth is on its way, and right now, nobody in your house is getting much sleep. You’ve probably Googled everything at this point, so let’s get to the remedies that actually work.
At Silicon Beach Pediatric Dental, we get asked about teething a lot. Dr. Ray Klein and Dr. Hayley Botwin hear it from parents constantly, and their answer is always the same: keep it simple, skip the stuff that doesn’t work, and know that this phase does end.
What’s Actually Happening When Your Child Is Teething
Teeth don’t just show up overnight. The first ones typically start coming in around 7 months, and the molars follow closer to 18 months. So teething isn’t one rough week. It stretches across the toddler years, on and off, and the most uncomfortable stretch tends to be right in that short window before a tooth actually breaks through. Wakefulness, fussiness, and general unhappiness at bedtime are all part of it.
Because that first tooth is also the cue for your child’s first dental visit, it is worth putting that appointment on the calendar around the same time you notice teething starting, rather than waiting for a reminder later.
What to Skip
There’s one category of products we consistently steer parents away from: topical numbing gels and anesthetic creams containing benzocaine or lidocaine. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned that these ingredients can cause a rare but serious condition in young children, and that homeopathic teething tablets and amber teething necklaces carry their own safety risks. We don’t recommend any of these. There are better options.
What Actually Helps
The good news is that a few straightforward approaches can make a real difference on rough nights. Most of what works, you already have at home. Every kid is different, so it’s worth trying a couple of things to see what helps for your child.
Here are the options we typically point parents toward:
- Cold chew toys: Put a teething toy or chew ring in the refrigerator (not the freezer) before bed. The cold helps soothe the gum tissue, and a lot of kids take to it quickly.
- Cold popsicles: If your child is old enough to handle it safely, something cold to suck on or chew can take the edge off right before you do your bedtime routine.
- Gentle gum massage: Rubbing your child’s gums with a clean finger or a wet piece of gauze for a minute or two can ease pressure and discomfort.
- Tylenol or Motrin: When the discomfort is real and it’s genuinely affecting sleep, over-the-counter pain relief dosed for your child’s age and weight is a reasonable call. You don’t need to tough it out.
Once you’ve tried one of these, do your best to stick to whatever bedtime routine you already have. Consistency helps kids settle, even on uncomfortable nights.
Every Kid Is Different
This is something we come back to a lot with families. What works for one child might do absolutely nothing for another. Some kids will chew a cold toy all night. Others want nothing to do with it. Some need Motrin on the really bad nights. Others get through teething without much trouble at all.
The right approach for your child is the one that actually works for your child, and there’s no reason to feel like you’re doing it wrong if you’re trying things and adjusting. Our Q&A page covers a lot of the common questions parents have during these early months, if you want to dig into anything further.
It’s also worth knowing that teething discomfort tends to be most intense right around when a tooth is actively breaking through. It isn’t constant. Regular dental exams and cleanings give us a chance to check on how teeth are coming in and talk through anything you’ve been noticing at home.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Teething can cause gum soreness, fussiness, and some disrupted nights. It should not cause a true fever, meaning a temperature over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or diarrhea. If your child has either of those symptoms, or seems unwell beyond the usual teething fussiness, call your pediatrician to rule out something else going on.
How Teething Connects to Long-Term Oral Health
Once those first teeth are in, the habits you build around them matter more than the teething discomfort itself. A soft, clean cloth wiped over the gums before teeth appear, followed by a small, soft-bristled toothbrush once teeth erupt, sets the stage for a lifetime of good habits. This is also a good time to ask us about fluoride use, since the right amount depends on your child’s age and how well they can spit.
Silicon Beach Pediatric Dental Is Here for Your Family
Dr. Ray Klein is a board-certified pediatric dentist who completed his residency at USC and Miller Children’s Hospital. Dr. Hayley Botwin trained through the prestigious USC Pediatric Residency program as well, and both of them bring a similar practical approach to working with families. Our Culver City office is in-network with most PPO insurance plans, so getting your child in is straightforward.
If you have questions about teething, your child’s development, or anything else going on, we’re happy to talk it through. Contact our office to schedule an appointment or just ask us what’s on your mind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teething and Sleep
Is Teething Gel Safe for Babies?
Numbing gels containing benzocaine or lidocaine are not considered safe for infants and young children, since they have been linked to a rare but serious condition that reduces oxygen in the blood. Cold teething rings, gentle gum massage, and appropriately dosed over-the-counter pain relief are safer alternatives for most children.
How Long Does Teething Discomfort Usually Last for One Tooth?
Discomfort is usually worst in the few days right before a tooth breaks through the gum, and it tends to ease once the tooth has emerged. Some children barely notice a tooth coming in, while others have several uncomfortable days in a row, especially with the molars.
Can Teething Cause a Fever?
Teething can cause a slight rise in body temperature, but it should not cause a true fever above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. If your child has a genuine fever, diarrhea, or seems significantly unwell, those symptoms usually point to something other than teething, and it is worth calling your pediatrician.
What Age Do the First Teeth Usually Come In?
Most babies get their first tooth around 6 to 7 months old, usually one of the bottom front teeth, though it is common for teeth to arrive a few months earlier or later. The full set of baby teeth typically comes in by around age 3.
When Should We Schedule the First Dental Visit if Teething Has Just Started?
As soon as you notice that first tooth, or by your child’s first birthday at the latest. Booking the visit around the same time teething starts is an easy way to keep the schedule on track without having to remember it later.
Medically Reviewed
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Ray Klein, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist who completed specialized training at USC and Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach. Dr. Ray focuses on prevention-based care and helping families establish healthy dental habits from their child’s first visit. The information provided reflects current evidence-based practices in pediatric dentistry.
