Teething in Babies — Medicaid (QUEST) Accepted
The drool, the chewing, the fussy nights — teething is a rite of passage that can make a happy baby miserable for a few days. The reassuring news is that safe relief is simple, and some popular “remedies” are ones to avoid outright.
What teething looks like
Teething can begin as early as 3 months, with swollen, tender gums, drooling, and lots of chewing. Importantly, teething does not cause high fever, diarrhea, or a very sick child — if those appear, look for another cause and call us, rather than blaming the teeth.
Safe relief
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends simple comfort: gently massage the gums with a clean finger, or offer a firm rubber teething ring (not frozen — cool is enough). An occasional appropriate dose of acetaminophen can help a rough stretch.
What to avoid — this part matters
Two popular products are genuinely unsafe. The FDA warns against benzocaine teething gels and creams (brands like Orajel), which can cause a rare but life-threatening blood-oxygen problem in young children. The FDA and AAP also warn against amber teething necklaces and similar jewelry: there is no evidence they help, and the FDA has reports of a child strangled by one during a nap and of choking on beads. Skip both.
How we approach it at Ohana Care Clinic
We steer families toward the safe, simple comforts and away from the risky products — and we make sure a truly sick baby who happens to be teething isn’t missed. When in doubt, a quick telehealth check can tell teething apart from an illness that needs care.
Getting care by telehealth
Most of our care at Ohana Care Clinic happens by secure video across Hawaiʻi. A new primary-care or pediatric patient is seen in person for the first visit at our Hilo clinic; after that, many follow-ups and quick questions work well by video. When your keiki has a rash, sting, or other concern, a photo during a video visit often tells us whether they need to be seen in person.
When to get help now
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or lips, widespread hives, fainting, or any reaction that looks life-threatening after a sting or new exposure. When in doubt, call us at (808) 867-8002 or use our symptom checker for after-hours guidance.
Medically reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, pediatric nurse practitioner, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP, President & Owner of Ohana Care Clinic.
Date published: July 2, 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Citations verified: July 2026
This article is general health education from Ohana Care Clinic, reviewed by Donna Leonard, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, and George Mackel, MSN, APRN, NP-C, PMHNP-BC, CARN-AP. It is not a substitute for a personal evaluation by a qualified clinician who knows your child’s situation, and reading it does not create a provider–patient relationship. If you think your child may have a medical condition, reach out to us or another licensed provider. In an emergency, call 911.
References
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Safely soothing teething pain and sensory needs in infants and children. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/safely-soothing-teething-pain-infants-and-children
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2018). FDA: Teething necklaces can lead to choking, strangulation. AAP News. https://publications.aap.org/aapnews/news/9241
